Fr Justin baptized me yrs ago in SLC Utah, I was homeless and had nothing going for me. I got off drugs, even my marriage was restored. I am thankful I met this man.
I attended my first liturgy today, they had matins before Divine Liturgy which started at 7.30 am. My wife and I were the first people there beside the priests, and the presence of God was immediately overwhelming as we walked in and heard the priests praying. We were both immensely humbled and still are digesting the experience. Thank you for this talk.
I pray that your family is blessed in more ways than you can ever count and that you find your home in the Orthodox church and become brothers and sisters.
I attended my first Divine Liturgy at an Orthodox church last week, here in South Africa, and since then I have been watching a lot of videos of Orthodox priests. I am utterly stunned, STUNNED by the beauty of Orthodox Christianity. I am strongly considering joining the church and eventually becoming a catechumen. I think this is what my heart has been yearning for all these years. Praise be to our lord and saviour Jesus Christ! 🙏
I was a Protestant street preacher prior to entering the Orthodox Church. The Reformed Baptist congregation I was a member of supported and sponsored trips to various cities and events including two Super Bowls. The "best" street preachers are great performers with the ability to manipulate crowds and play the emotions of others. Prior to going out on the streets, there would be a time of prayer for conversions and for God to send a good heckler to draw a crowd. The "good heckler" was always a person who was clearly hurt and lashing out in pain. The "good heckler" was a pawn who was used to draw the crowd and allow the preacher to engage in, at least in my circles, presuppsitional apologetics, with the supposed goal of "defending the faith". Of course, there must be video footage so this can be shared with other professed Christians "for encouragement." It all seemed like a big show, the crowd, the video, the debates, all used in self promotion so the preacher is viewed as a "warrior for Christ" but in reality, may have been a highly manipulative person with Narcissistic tendencies who made, not Christ, but themselves, the center of attention. I never saw anyone go beyond an emotional experience on the street, who went beyond the initial profession, or even remained. I think many didn't take us seriously because we presented the "Christian message" in such a cheap way. After my conversion, two, now, former "street evangelist/preachers" that I knew started asking me questions, they came to church, didn't understand, was a bit shocked, but eventually came back and both were received into the Church this year. I have struggled with this topic since my conversion and appreciate the video.
Thank you for sharing this. You put it into words well. It's something that bothered me as well about street preaching. The fact that there was a desire for hecklers to make a grand show... I don't think that's the way to reach into people's hearts. I have a lot of respect for Orthodoxy. I'm not Orthodox but out of all the different faiths, it's the one I feel called to strongest.
This a sad opinion. I do street evangelism and I experience exactly the opposite. I find people are HUNGRY for God out there. It must have been the way you went about it. What you describe certainly sounds like the wrong way. You say you never saw someone that remained after your efforts. Firstly, I think you were doing it wrong. Secondly, you don't know what happened to everyone after they heard the Gospel. Many of them will have joined churches and become solid Christians in time. You planted a seed and somebody else watered as the Scripture says. Sad you became so disillusioned. Maybe take a second look. I think you have thrown the baby out with the bathwater.
@@robinconnelly6079 Sad indeed my friend. I never said I know what happened to every person. I can only speak to the people I encountered and followed up with however, I was associated with street preachers from across the country as part of an international ministry and I didn't know of anyone who saw real fruit. I never said people were not hungry for God, the problem, "in my opinion" is what hungry people were being offered by street preachers.
@jacob4047 were you connected to anyone from Apologia Church? I'd like to communicate more with you on this topic in a more private forum. I'd also like to ask you some things about the relationship between presuppositional apologetics and Orthodoxy. Do you have an email or social media handle that I can reach you through?
Please pray for me. I am married to a Hindu (I'm not Indian, he is) he is very proud and has made it clear that only his possessions matter to him. Not God, or me. I have recently renounced Hinduism and found Orthodoxy. He will never follow. He's made it clear. I feel I am in a dangerous situation. I don't have family. I do not know what to do. Please pray for me whoever will.
I pray that you can take comfort in the fact that the whole church prays for you, and all people in similar situations, every time we celebrate the Divine Liturgy.
Love and pray for your husband. Many husbands and wives have been converted to Christ by the unrelenting love of their spouses. What is beyond your power is not beyond God's.
I pray for you my sister! You are not alone, your family is God's family. You have with you every saint that you may call. Call Theotokos, call a saint, call your guardian angel, call God and you will experience miracles!!! You will feel their presence! When we have noone to help us we have God Himself by our side. We just have to call Him so we can feel Him!! from an orthodox woman from Greece!!
I have prayed for you. Nightly, pray for him. For his heart, for his mind. For his soul, that he would have ears to hear, eyes to see, and humility. Love him, beyond and above, pray all day. Show him kindness, generosity, radically love him, and show hospitality. My husband is a Christ follower today, because I had to love him out of hell.
The growth in orthodoxy in the last three years in the uk is very noticeable. The local orthodox church now opens on saturdays to cater for all non greek speaking followers and its almost full. Praise be to God.
Being Orthodox is a grind at times definitely. Healing can hurt. It's the narrow way no matter how you cut it. Not falling into despair is a real struggle. There's no easy way.
I wanna convert to orthodoxy but I come from a protestant family. I am still a teen and am not old enough to drive or go to church by myself. Pray for me ☦️🙏
We have a young man who has joined our church and his parents, although they don't attend, will drive him there. He does catechuman classes through FaceTime with our priest. If your parents won't drive you there, I'd still call the parish that you are closest to and seek advice. Orthodoxy is very welcoming, and if your parents agree to you attending, I'm sure you wouldn't have any issues finding a ride from someone from the church. Prayers for you, that God will lead your path. ☦️
We had a 15 yo young boy attending our parish. He has travelled from far by train but we saw his willingness, humbleness to learn about Orthodoxy. He can’t travel every sunday but let this encourage you to go, either by public transport or with your parents. If you’re really not able to, I think it’s also good to read books written by Church Fathers, buy an Orthodox prayer book to start living the Orthodox way
I wish I could drive you, young man! I drive a 16 year old to church a couple times a month and he can't wait until he gets his license and his own car. I hope you're able to find transportation. Keep praying and God will open a door for you to get rides to church. Start making friends at church.
We have a 15 year old young man who was finally able to get his father to bring him once a month. It took much prayer and time and broken promises before his father finally started honoring his wishes. He lives in a very rural area and his parents are disabled. Praying for you!
Ive been asking and looking around as a protestant for 14 years wondering why isn't my heart being transformed like I thought? Why do I still struggle so much? Why do the Christians in my church not seem any different than anyone else on the street? Why is no one talking about suffering? What does it all mean? And so much more in the quiet of my heart.... This video has spoken to so many unspoken, deep thoughts and cries I've made to God. Thank you. I am going to take the next step towards Orthodoxy.
I'm due to be baptized before Lent and honestly it's not going to be one massive transformation overnight. It will take time, so just trust that the Lord has a plan for you and also ask for prayers, whether it be from saints here on earth or the saints in Heaven to pray for the transformation you need. Much love, you will find what God is calling you for, I can feel it.
My wife and I have been called to Orthodoxy six months ago and just been baptised into the faith absolutely wonderful it’s so much to learn, but have no regrets. we would recommend anyone to step inside a Orthodox Church. and experience it for yourself. No turning back for us now.
I was born in Orthodoxy and it is pretty much deeply enbedied in my life and who I am. We are living it with every breath of life and yes, Orthodoxy is not only for us it is for everyone who is called to this and who can understand. By following God will there is no place for diseases or unhappiness. Even death is just a sleep from which we will wake up by God's will and Jesus. Just repeat often Jesus Christ son of God save me! Isuse Hriste Sine Boziji Pomiluj Mene Gresnu!You will see how much power this prayer has, but you have to be patient, very patient.
The man in the thumbnail is my father 😂😂. I did not expect to open my YT app and see my Dad staring back at me. For context, my father was a very dedicated street evangelist for years. He spent many Friday nights out on the town with a clan of zealous men preaching the word to people exiting clubs, at college campuses, headed to bars or attending events. Though I never quite agreed with the methodology of his evangelism, Im happy knowing this is how he chose to spend his free time…Studying apologetics, memorizing scripture, and training young disciples to do the same. I’m sure he left his mark on people… good and bad. Nobody forgets the angry fat black man standing on a stool yelling at them 😂😂 Since this photo, he’s calmed down alot. He hasn’t been out on the streets for a few years. I just pray he finishes the race well 🙏🏽 Thanks for posting this. My family got a good laugh at the thumbnail.
@@Radiant_Joys I apologize, I sincerely believed the image was AI generated when I found it 😅 I hope you and your family are in good spirits. May the Lord bless you
I converted to Orthodoxy back in July (baptized & chrismated), and now I'm absolutely devouring any and all Orthodox reading material that I can get my hands on while also increasing my prayer life. God is good!
@@ChristAliveForevermore it happens To everyone. Because it’s new to you like a shiny new toy. I did the same thing. The first couple years I was orthodox I was like obsessed with it. I was in church every day it was open. I read literally over 100 orthodox books and watched probably over 1000 orthodox u-tubes, I did everything I could that said orthodox Christianity and here I am 10 years later ready to leave it!!
@@rocknrolan7371 Because the wisdom of the Desert Fathers and the Church Fathers inspires a zeal within me to desire to draw closer to the incomprehensible Living God.
Inquiring on Orthodoxy, the beauty and wisdom of this faith is powerful. Feeling called to grow in my faith through this church and praying for guidance in making that step 🙏
I will tell you truly, it’s due to your videos and many others here on TH-cam (Fr. Josiah, Fr. Peter, Fr. Paul, and many others) as to what has planted a seed in me. Thanks to all the content, with Gods courage, I went to Divine Liturgy and that’s all it took. The seed that was planted started grow rapidly and I haven’t missed a service yet, glory be to God. I don’t say this to puff myself up because I will forever be an abominable sinner. I say all this to say thanks be to God and all His messengers that have set me on the right path. Thank you truly from the depths of my heart!!❤️☦️
I am an Orthodox from Serbia and I am glad that you mention our Nikolaj Vladimirovic. We have a saying here that people who ask questions about God, and even rebel against him, are not real atheists, but seekers after God. The only real atheists are those who are not interested in it at all. So those people who "wrestle" with God should be understood and drawn to calmness so that they can understand some things intellectually more easily.
If I may give some advice: Take your time. It is a process, and you will learn much. Pray, if you go to your local Orthodox church be present, and ask any and all questions to the priest. God bless friend!☦️
17:21 great talk. As someone that was evangelical for decades, I saw the methods used to draw people using entertainment, programs, a soft gospel, etc. Or even churches that supposedly “preach the word”, the pastor is kinda the focal point (and inevitably at least some of what is taught or modeled will be heterodox). It was so interesting to start going to a parish and they didn’t try to get us to serve right away, didn’t push anything on us or pressure us to get baptized (turns out my priest was ready to baptize our family before we asked about setting a date or next steps). I’m so glad God was merciful to us and brought us out of heterodoxy land ignorance and into the Church. I appreciate Fr. Justin’s words about focusing on being someone that is healed by Christ. I have a tendency to want to know and convince people of the truth, but I realize that becoming more like Christ and the Saints will be more a of a testimony than the most solid evidence I can share with people. Thank you!
What a wonderful conversation to listen to, edifying for me. As I was listening to the last few minutes of this I was walking through a subway station in NYC where an older gentleman was standing alone calling out for people to draw near to Jesus.
My mother in law got called in HR for wearing her cross out because a muslim coworker got offended by it. She was told to hide it, she didn't and they started to look for reasons to fire her, they did, she sued and lost. This triggered diabetes in her 😢.That was UK before 2020. I came back to Orthodoxy last year and started to wear my cross out when i realised there are christians in countries that persecute them. I am blessed to live in an orthodox country and i thank God every day 😢
I left Protestantism many years ago but cannot be catechized into Orthodoxy because the Church views my evangelistic outreach as Prelest. I was called by the Lord Jesus Christ in 2010 when he appeared to me in my home, thus I cannot renounce his calling. I fully embrace Orthodox theology but I will not deny my Lord. God bless and I welcome your prayers.
Was a protestant pastor for 20 years. Got sick of the marketing, motivational speaking, volunteer recruitment, fundraising, and "band" worship. Became a hospital chaplain for the last 20 years, I find this work more akin to a true representation of Christ's heart for people than protestantism. Considering orthodoxy. Still attend a protestant church. Where do I begin? So many brands of orthodoxy - Russian, Antiochan, yadda yadda. Where do I begin? Also having trouble with the Iconography, relics, and hierarchy of the Orthodox Church - please help me on my search. Live in Edmonton, Alberta.
there is no difference. Orthodoxy is one. There are no brands, these are just geographical and language specific churches. Everything is the same. Pick the one that speaks your language or closest to you.
It’s been 2 years since I started exploring Christian Orthodoxy originally from a yearning for higher meaning and a desire to reconnect to my Greek heritage. I have now taken my first step and the feeling is difficult to describe and yet very comforting and now in hindsight seems so intuitive.
I street preach as Protestant, and the beginning is not how my team and I do things. We do set people up to join churches, pray for them, give to them, minister to them, and call them to live a fully repentant life, even if they claim to be Christian. Our hope is always to have a deep conversation on the foundation of faith in the biblical Jesus Christ. The church has always used the streets this way, going town to town in the scriptures
Churches.? There are NO "churches".. The Church has always been ONE and it is 2000 years old. But I suspect you refer to man made private businesses that they often call "church" when you said it. Going to the night club is just about the same as going to those private businesses.
But, it is still man made private business. It may mimic what Lord's Bride is doing/preaching but it won't turn it into the real deal.. it will always remain fake.
Woke up this morning feeling like complete crap and I still feel like crap but the good thing about the Liturgy, it’s not about feelings. Push through and worship Christ our King and our God.🙏☦️
Yess and yes!! Needed to read this. Even if i do feel crapy like today it does not matter i go to Liturgy to worship our Christ 😊🎉Thtas the Ortodix spirit ou yea life goes on and we need to push through Christ is Risen! Greeting from Serbia
New Martyr's Fr. Daniel Sysoev's life ministry was all about missionary work and evangelism and bringing the world into the Church. Through street evangelism, preaching and teaching.
How did the Saints do section just filled my heart with the utmost respect for our modern Saints who despite every single modern ideology thrown at them and their faith stood tall, yet humble enough to preach the truth! God help us throught this difficult time.
Reading the comments on these videos it seems I’m not the only one, but currently I am a Roman Catholic Christian. My whole life I’ve flip flopped between Catholic and Protestant beliefs, but recently I decided to be an Apostolic Christian for real, after researching things like sola scriptura and seeing how hypocritical many Protestant denominations are. Since then I thought I had the truth in Catholicism, but something feels a bit off, cold even. During my research I didn’t learn much about Orthodoxy, but what I did learn was that Orthodoxy is almost exactly the same as Catholicism (which a few key differences) and now after learning more about Orthodoxy I feel almost called to it in a way. I don’t really know how to explain it, orthodoxy seems like Catholicism (which I agree with) just, without the same problems. Like currently the RCC is under attack, the LGBTQ movement is infiltrating churches, and the pope seems to be causing more confusion then good. I hope the great skizm is able to be healed some day because the two faiths are very similar, but at the moment it just seems like orthodoxy is a better version on Catholicism. Something about orthodox people seems very calm and genuine I can’t really explain it. Either way, this long winded comment is just to say, pray for me that I would find the truth. currently I’m torn between the two, and I’m not sure what’s right (that being said I do believe both orthodox and Catholics are both right, and both go to heaven and stuff, I just want the fullest truth possible) Also pray for unity if you can, this is less big, but I feel like the skizm that happened in 1054 is nowhere near as big as the Protestant divide, and honestly I think the two churches could and should reunify. Not to say it would be easy, they probably won’t until the second coming, but I don’t know, I feel like we should pray for reunification, the RC could learn a lot from the orthodox.
5:37 "...They see something different about this person. They are not preachy, they are humble, they are not using same language and they are not crass and they are not afraid of dying of Co or whatever it is they are not afraid not careless but they are just not afraid and they are not like just pontificating and they are and its a danger for some Orthodox people and they are just so loving and sacrificial and they are something not of this world in them and they say what`s going on with you thats how I found Orthodoxy was by meeting someone and just you are an alien is a life like that possible and its possible and thats so i think true missionary work..."
Thank you father for this. I just want to say that many of us orthodox also live half way in the world. We do sports and live secular life and then go to church. Some low church protestant christians (not all but some) do sacrife their whole life amd time to the Lord and they deny themselves. It seems that we orthodox are not best example of denying our selves. Just think about countries like Russia. So many people are nominally orthodox but they dont know much about it and they live totally secular life.
Unfortunately we are all humans and many will be like this in every church. But true orthodoxy is not about living a life like that, while protestantism offers a bland and non spiritual way of life. Protestantism has watered down the true beauty and depth of the gospel while the orthodox faith has not. However there will always be those lukewarm christians in the church, but we must strive to be more Christ-like daily. I was also born orthodox and lived very lukewarm until my faith was strengthened and renewed.
@ssavv-s21s happy to hear you faith has strengthen. But i need to dissagree that all protestant churches offers non spiritual way of life. Of course there are different churches under the term "protestant" lutherans forexample are totally differenet world than Pentecostal. I have experience in pentecostal church and can offer very ascetic and spiritual way of life also. Many pentecostals fast for weeks drinking only water during their fasts and they pray for many hours per a day. I would not say they offer shallow and non spiritual life but opposite.of course there are many kind of pentecostals and depends on country and culture how they are.
I recently had the humbling but also slightly comedic experience of somebody who was cradle Orthodox, approaching me, the idiot new convert from evangelicalism, about how to get a prayer rule going! He said that although he had been born Orthodox, he had only recently started to think about it properly and realise what a huge deal it is.
@TheMOV13 i dont know why some people think that so called cradle orthodox would automaticly be familiar to orthodoxy. Most of them have been just babtized as babies and after that they have almost nothing to do with the church or christianity. Same as lutherans and catholics. It is only when one feels the need of repentance and real relationship with God then they start to seek the Lord. And hete there is no difference between cradle orthodox or convert. Sometimes converts at least know the Bible and main lines of church history well.
6:02 Absolutely!!!! I was at target once and two orthodox priests, or maybe monks, I'm not sure, but they were orthodox and they walked past me. I felt an instant gravitation towards them, but I remained silent. It was a bit awkward, because of how strong that feeling was, they radiated with humility of a gentle spirit. God bless those two servants of God. I treasure this moment, it happened earlier this year. I'm planning on becoming an orthodox catechumen soon God willing
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, *to reveal His Son in me*, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles.. St. Paul Galatians 1,15-16 Btw this was the Apostle Reading Today in the Church
Exactly, but let's just take a sit back and wait approach like the OC wants. Ever since being born-again, I can't help but preach to everyone I come across about Jesus and how He saved this wretched man. There is urgency to go out into this world and to make disciples....
@@2kostasd *to reveal His Son in me* was my point :) this takes a long process.. and we are not an Apostle, St. Paul was an Apostle with an specific order from King Jesus. I am not a Bishop nor a Priest, in the Church there is order. And God is in control. I was the same, I was thinking, the people out there need my preaching to be saved.. this was a false understanding of the Gospel.. preaching is not for every one but the command is to shine our lights, to focus on the Kingdom of God and be cleansed for the light of God. So people can see God's light/love in us.. this will change the world. And God sends those who are ready into His church.. miracles happen everyday, God send me and a lot of other Brothers after me to the local Orthodox Church.. I tried at the beginning with words to bring others, but they were not ready.. God knows who is ready and God gives us the go if the time comes, to talk to people.. we are not in control, God is.. I needed to learn this, I hope my experience here can help you understand what I mean. Forgive me
I wear my cross out for this reason. Also because it means I have to be aware that I am trying to be worthy to wear it. I made sure it was as Orthodox as possible too - you can get a simple cross anywhere, but a (large) three bar cross with these weird abbreviations and symbols speaks to a lot more than can possibly be a mere fashion choice.
Jesus sent the 70 , two by two , to every city. Read Luke 10:25-28 Jesus tells someone what to do to inherit eternal life. Thru out scripture all your questions are answered. The Word of God is Holy Spirit influenced.
Theres a book that perfectly demonstrates what you’re talking about called Father Arseny. A man who was put in an actual concentration camp during the Soviet Union. People initially thought of him as just some religious fanatic or typical priest. But Arseny would consistently do things that would bewilder others, thus they came to respect and ask him questions. Which had the added effect of converting those around him, whether they be criminals or camp officials. The unmistakable light of Christ passes through us like a window even in the darkest of times.
Am in Church whenever I speak to my neighbour being true to the Holy Image of Christ in them... this is how we authentically spread the Gospel. Pontifex = Bridge ~ builder +
You should come visit Father David Hovik up here in Arlington, Washington. He is a dear friend of so many of these priests that you have interviewed. He is my spiritual Father and would be a wonderful interview.
I have been filling in for my brother, a pastor, while he's out sick. I had gotten fed up with the B.S. in churches and walked away 8 years ago. I was called to be an evangelist, but visiting many churches just aggravated me. Most "Christians" never open a Bible and read it, never ask for God's instruction or His will revealed, never value others as themselves, never minister to the broken and destitute, and never consider living a modest life. I had a Sunday off a couple of months ago and attended an Orthodox Church. I cannot wait until God releases from where I'm at so I can visit again.
I'm surprised there was no mention of the lay and clergy missionaries operating in Guatemala, just to name one of many examples. The mission there has been so successful that the first native Guatemalan bishop was ordained just this year, not to mention that they now have their own seminary. There's an entire American Orthodox organization for this work, OCMC, the Orthodox Christian Mission Center. Roots of Orthodoxy, I highly recommend interviewing some of these bonafide missionaries and those they've converted in order to correct the perception many non-Orthodox and even baptized Orthodox in this comment section have. The way they speak of it, you'd think Orthodox Christians stopped sending out missionaries after Saints Cyril and Methodius reposed. Some may foolishly become insular, God forbid, but others have never stopped obeying the Great Commission.
i was basically evangelised by Orthodox edits... as ridiculous as it is you can laugh it off as much as you want but the undeniable truth is that the coolness of orthodoxy definitely attracts a lot of attention from people that would get people to want to know more, definitely the edits offer a different perspective of life in how the church acts differently which guided me to join my Russian church :)
Unironically, I believe the Orthodox presence in the online Right political sector is the biggest reason why we have such an uptick in males joining the Church. Memes are perfect for getting people interested.
Protestant evangelism fits their theological understanding. Believe in Christ is more of an adherence to a proposition in a brief moment versus a way of life. When it’s a proposition about belief in Christ, the church falls by the wayside.
As an Orthodox, I must say that the Church is very deficient in everything. I am from Turkey. I became a Christian later (I was a Lutheran first). To become Orthodox I had to go to the patriarchate and beg! I gave a paper confirming my declaration of faith and met with a priest there. I was disappointed that in a room full of icons, one priest smoked a cigarette and told me ‘why do you want to become orthodox, you are already a Christian’. the other priest didn't even look at me, he was only interested in his phone. When things didn't go well in Istanbul, I was baptised in Romania. The Church should lead the way in education, health, human rights and many other things. The Catholic Church, which you don't like, is doing a lot of things today on a serious issue like HIV/Aids. Various protestant churches are doing great things all over the world. They do everything in Turkish and serve the people in their own language. In Turkey the number of Turkish Christians now exceeds the traditional Christian population because of the great work of Catholic and Protestant missionaries. There are now Turkish pastors and Catholic priests. But our Orthodox churches are so attached to their own nation that they are busy with other things instead of evangelism. In recent years, especially the south coast has been filled with Russians and Ukrainians. And when I asked the priest of the church in Antalya why you do everything in Russian, everyone should understand, I got the answer ‘The majority are Russians’. Yes, I am Orthodox, but this does not mean that I will ignore the flaws in the church. And frankly I find the church very arrogant. It is closed to all criticism and does not care how people feel.
I think you're totally right here. I like Orthodoxy and have for years but as a Catholic, and knowing something about Protestant Christianity, other Christian groups are heads and tails above Orthodoxy as far as being out in the world, meeting people where they are, and in living out the faith in a tangible, discernible way. The Orthodox think that by offering the liturgy in a reverent way, and being personally reverent, they have done this. Catholics by contrast, believe in both/and, that you must live out the faith in a tangible way and that in that transformed state, you MUST go out into the world and live that faith *out there*. Latin Mass Catholicism is largely to thank for the massive growth of Christianity in Africa. They offered the Mass, and believed the Eucharist was truly the body and blood, and then they went out and built schools, and orphanages, and hospitals, and everything else that people need to live day to day. I ask you: which model seems more consistent with the Gospels?
@@anonosaurus4517 the Catholic and Protestant churches seem more consistent. The only reason I became orthodox is that the Holy Trinity as explained by the orthodox church makes more sense to me. I didn't become orthodox because I was fascinated by the Byzantine liturgy like the westerners and was looking for an oriental, mystical church. On the contrary, I am annoyed by the sullen priests. When I was a Lutheran, I sometimes went to the Catholic church near me to pray, and I got on very well with the priest there. I still call him on important days. Only once in the Orthodox Church did I meet a caring, smiling clergyman like in the Lutheran and Catholic Churches. He is my spiritual father now. The church I go to now is mostly Russian. Everything is very soulless, they use slavonic, no one communicates with anyone. I, who used to go to church on Sundays before everyone else, no longer enjoy going to church.
It's interesting, because I was on a spiritual journey for 10 years and thru that process my desire was to truly change, transform and ascend. I was so excited and positive in the beginning...but it wasn't rooted in the truth and knowing that thru some eye opening experiences and spiritual warfare I am now so exhausted I don't even desire a spiritual life now. I don't know how to get it back, plus I had to admit to myself that I still don't fully believe in the truth and I'm very scared to commit to this especially if I don't fully believe it yet.
I am sure you want to know the Truth!! Just pray to the Truth with all your heart and He will show you Himself. Because Truth is a person! Only Jesus Christ said he is the Truth, the Path and the Life, the Light of the world!!
Understandable. There's a good prayer for those who lack faith, taken directly from the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 9. A father was begging Jesus Christ to save his child, and He replied that all things are possible for those who believe. The father then said this: "Lord I believe; Help my unbelief!". Christ answered this faithless prayer, and the man's son was freed from the demon which possessed him. We sick and tired ones ought to come to the Divine Physician for healing. If we are exhausted and doubtful, how much greater the need for His medicine!
Orthodoxy is rare in parts of the American West. I live hundreds of miles from the nearest physical Orthodox church. Am I somehow barred from becoming an Eastern Orthodox Christian because it is virtually impossible for me to physically attend a church service?
As a former Catholic, I know exactly what you mean. If it makes you feel better (in case you didn't know already), the Catholic Church recognises the Orthodox Church as a legitimate Church with valid apostolic succession and valid sacraments. According to Vatican II, we are the "second lung" of the Catholic Church. This is not a joke, Pope Francis even told Catholics that it's a mortal sin for Catholics to attempt to convert Orthodox Christians to Catholicism 😅. Other than that, I fully understand your struggle. It took the combination of prayer and lots of learning from both sides for the evidence to mount enough for my conversion to happen. Eventually, I had a Catholic priest tell me to become Orthodox! If you haven't already, I highly recommend that you read the Chieti document and Alexandria document, both of which are papal approved Vatican documents.
Don't be afraid. Pray and God will show you the real Church. Open your heart and mind and you will see the Truth!! And you will be amazed by the Truth!!
One thing that I love about Orthodoxy is I don't have to be gaslighted and told cashless money and neuralink aren't the mark or at the very least precursors. The transhumanists problem is taken seriously here thankfully.
Protestant street preacher here. I’d argue there is great Biblical basis for people being sent out into the streets to preach the Gospel. The prophets preached in the centers of towns, Peter taught in the Temple, Paul preached in the streets, etc. Not only that, but there have been numerous Christian saints who preached in the streets before me. I have been honored with being able to meet countless unbelievers, false professors, and backsliding Christians. Something that I usually try to emphasize is the need to get into a local church (where they can receive the Sacraments). Normally I will open up a book of the Bible, read a passage, and then explain it. I don’t use a microphone and don’t use any signs anymore. If someone comes over, I’ll present the Gospel, try to find a Scriptural remedy for their situation, and then I will pray for them if they want me to. Repentance is between them and God and I cannot force that, neither will I lead them in a “sinner’s prayer”. They have the information and I trust God will use it if He chooses to save them.
In the early church, the Lord "added" to the church more than through "evangelism". I think the Orthodox Church benefits more through the process of "addition", while the Western Church benefits more through "evangelism".
"Door knocking" is not anti-Orthodox. We must not contract an aversion to things we see protestants doing and remember that without Him nothing was made that has been made. Many of these things just simply need correcting.
Roman Catnolic have the same challenge. However protestants have one thing in favour and that is their love for Bible reading and building a personal relationship with Jesus.
I'm not convinced that there is no place at all, in Orthodoxy, for any kind of public-space engagement, but it's a subject I'm very interested in and have not reached any firm conclusion about. As for going door-to-door, cheapening Orthodoxy, well, maybe it depends what you are doing on the doorstep, that would be cheapening Orthodoxy or not. I recently noticed that the Rumanian Orthodox Church opened a new parish in a defunct Anglican church building, right on the edge of a big sprawling housing estate. Would it be bad just to get out and visit the folks, maybe with some flyers, just to let people know that they are there and part of their local community? Maybe trying to directly "save" people on the doorstep would not be good, but we don't have to mimic what the evangelical folks do.
@Israella_ I'm not negative. But that's facts. If you know the reason why Christianity split in 1054, then you know why Orthodoxy will never be accepted the pope as their supreme leader. I respect the Catholics but there is nothing from unification.
@ladyjane8023 We will all be united in Christ. God won't ask if you believe the papacy on judgement day for goodness sake. You're not any better than the Catholics. Yes orthodtis more true, but you're not better than them. Don't be like the Pharisees for which you'll be CONDEMNED for.
I'm Catholic, Traditional Catholic. I used to be mainstream Novus Ordo. TLM sounds in harmony with Orthodoxy, moreso than Novus Ordo, which likes the business model. I used to call mainstream "Roman Corp" when I was mainstream. It didn't make common or spiritual sense. Trad Catholic does. Times and seasons, fast and feasts, prayer and meditation, sacraments and liturgy given by God, rather than human artifices. Substance, not image. My God in heaven, with all the writing and talking and academia and the noise, the best knowledge of what can be experienced in God's grace can never be communicated by these means. Guideposts can be staked out for sure. But that's about it. It's really beyond human telling. God be praised forever!
I'm a member of a non-denominational church. It is sad to see, how bad reputation the non catholics have. A lot of time it's right. There are good examples. We do street evangelism and we see teenagers, exprisoners, people from the lowest of lowest get a new life. We practice all the daily repentance and it has a deep beauty in it. I never felt bigger joy when I first realized I avoid any filthy imagination. If someome want to follow christ will find a way. Maybe we don't have the full truth but we are dedicated for Christ and his message.
That's absolutely beautiful. I also dislike the idea that everyone outside the Orthodox church isn't a true christian. The Holy Spirit can work everywhere, but as I believe He should, sooner or later, bring any christian with sincere faith to the one true Church that Christ has left for us, His Holy Bride
You are not wrong about the gimmicks, which feel superficial. Shallow waters , a dry well. I have no Orthodox church where I live, however my prayer is an orthodox community church will come to where I live and I pray that I may attend and be baptized into it. Until than, I must humbly go to what is near me and serve God. Secondly, protest-ants seem to be competitive towards other churches, and it seems divisive.
Sorry, but ordained and blessed evangalism was a real thing in Orthodoxy. Especially in earlier times, there was more missionary work. This is one of the current Orthodox people's many lacking virtues. Some must go into the heart of darkness. I cannot bare a silent and pacifist life. My Lord calls me to spiritual battle, and to shine in the world. As the Lord said: "What good is a lamp under a bed?'
Yes, and that still goes on. However, notice them evanglism are done via clergymen or Elders. Not anyone random, or without a Blessing by a Bishops. The video speaks more on the Protestant dangers of methods of spreading the message of Christ. But yeah, you right though. God bless us both
Hey I live in Australia, Melbourne and most of the Orthodox churches don't speak English. Does any one here know of or are involved in English based orthodoxy?
GOA Digital Chant Stand with this app you can read/pray every Service in english (on your phone during church) no matter where you are on earth in which Orthodox Church
I've noticed a couple of things about the E.O. Church They claim that they only are exactly perfectly right They have made themselves the plumb line for who is right or wrong. They themselves have appointed themselves to that place Second I've noticed that their position about what constitutes true evangelism is to keep themselves within the 4 walls of their structures. Christ stated prior to His ascension to ( go out into the world and preach the Gospel) Preaching the Gospel is the responsibility of every born again Christian Soul winning is outward That is Out where the sinners are Yes absolutely at times Jesus preached and taught the Gospel in the temple however global evangelism by its nature requires the church Individual believers to go out and be a witness and to spread the message of the Gospel through their mouth. My personal experience has taught me that 99% of the people I have been able to reach in public have never heard the Gospel clearly communicated This is sorrowful Sinners basically will never go to a church That's why Christ commanded the church to be outward in evangelism
Christ spoke to the Apostles specifically, and gave them His Blessing for that. And the Apostle gave that right to specific people right for the job. Thats why the Saint Paul was strict upon who was the teacher, and taught the people, not everyone in the first century went out to preach on the streets. Because, it is a right Christ gave to the Apostles, and the Apostles gave others that right too. Thats why Orthodox Christians just invite their friends to talk with the Priest about matters of the faith. Furthermore, I will only usually spend time with those who are interested in the faith, or ask me question. But, we don't do street preaching because it has the be blessed by the next in line of Bishops that goes back all the way back to Apostles. However, do we ask answer questions if answered? Yes, but generally keep the answer very simple/basic to avoid heresy. Have a good day though please. May God bless us both.
@@Tee-lady Sorry to break it to you... but the world was fine without Protestantism. Christianity was doing just fine for 1500 years without Protestantism. Protestantism introduced novel, unapostolic ideas like Sola Scriptura, leading to chaos as different people have different interpretations of Scripture. This in turn led to people questioning the long standing traditions of even the Apostolic Churches that were there from the very beginning, leading people to atheism, and some would say even the decay of Western culture. The pride in your very comment is the horrible heart and fruit of Protestantism, that has then seeped into society bringing about secularism.
Most protestants don’t have the idea of just saying a prayer and not have a call to change the life. Im Orthodox but I hate when we misrepresent others either out of ignorance or purposefully.
@ They’re the minority. I used to be Protestant and never heard that. Even those who proclaim “once saved always saved” would expect changes as a result of one’s accepting Christ.
Where I live there are no Orthodox churches closest one is 2 hrs aways, I use the internet to hear the word, I am drawn to the Orthodox Church. So what should I do?
Hieromartyr Daniel Sysoev was accused of using “Baptist methods” in his missionary work and this was his response: “As far as my missionary projects, they are all based on Orthodox principles. We do not employ any Protestant materials. We have trained street preachers who guard people against sectarianism, talk about God with those who wish it, and invite them to the church for services. The basic text for these street conversations is the catechism of Met. Philaret. Similar forays have been made into the marketplace and into Baptist assemblies. At church we hold Thursday talks on the Bible (based on the teachings of the fathers of the Church) and Friday catechetical talks, the text of which you have read.” - Letters, June 11, 2008
Fr Justin baptized me yrs ago in SLC Utah, I was homeless and had nothing going for me. I got off drugs, even my marriage was restored. I am thankful I met this man.
Praise The Lord thanks for sharing, may God continue to bless you and your family.
God bless
@@EsotericPenguinglory to the lord!
I've met him I'm pretty sure. St George in West Jordan?
@@RealNickMadison He was at Sts Peter and Paul before.
I attended my first liturgy today, they had matins before Divine Liturgy which started at 7.30 am. My wife and I were the first people there beside the priests, and the presence of God was immediately overwhelming as we walked in and heard the priests praying. We were both immensely humbled and still are digesting the experience. Thank you for this talk.
God bless you
Christ is Risen!
Amen❤❤🎉
I pray that your family is blessed in more ways than you can ever count and that you find your home in the Orthodox church and become brothers and sisters.
I attended my first Divine Liturgy at an Orthodox church last week, here in South Africa, and since then I have been watching a lot of videos of Orthodox priests. I am utterly stunned, STUNNED by the beauty of Orthodox Christianity. I am strongly considering joining the church and eventually becoming a catechumen. I think this is what my heart has been yearning for all these years. Praise be to our lord and saviour Jesus Christ! 🙏
I thank God everyday that I am an Orthodox Christian.
Ortodoxcia o Muerte
Yes me too
Christ is Risen
Idolaters go to hell.
@@gabrielc91-surAdorando la Maria te llevará al infierno.
Are you Ethiopian Orthodox ? "Sahle" is a very Ge'ez/Ethiopic name
I was a Protestant street preacher prior to entering the Orthodox Church. The Reformed Baptist congregation I was a member of supported and sponsored trips to various cities and events including two Super Bowls. The "best" street preachers are great performers with the ability to manipulate crowds and play the emotions of others. Prior to going out on the streets, there would be a time of prayer for conversions and for God to send a good heckler to draw a crowd. The "good heckler" was always a person who was clearly hurt and lashing out in pain. The "good heckler" was a pawn who was used to draw the crowd and allow the preacher to engage in, at least in my circles, presuppsitional apologetics, with the supposed goal of "defending the faith". Of course, there must be video footage so this can be shared with other professed Christians "for encouragement." It all seemed like a big show, the crowd, the video, the debates, all used in self promotion so the preacher is viewed as a "warrior for Christ" but in reality, may have been a highly manipulative person with Narcissistic tendencies who made, not Christ, but themselves, the center of attention. I never saw anyone go beyond an emotional experience on the street, who went beyond the initial profession, or even remained. I think many didn't take us seriously because we presented the "Christian message" in such a cheap way. After my conversion, two, now, former "street evangelist/preachers" that I knew started asking me questions, they came to church, didn't understand, was a bit shocked, but eventually came back and both were received into the Church this year. I have struggled with this topic since my conversion and appreciate the video.
Thank you for sharing this. You put it into words well. It's something that bothered me as well about street preaching. The fact that there was a desire for hecklers to make a grand show... I don't think that's the way to reach into people's hearts. I have a lot of respect for Orthodoxy. I'm not Orthodox but out of all the different faiths, it's the one I feel called to strongest.
This a sad opinion. I do street evangelism and I experience exactly the opposite. I find people are HUNGRY for God out there. It must have been the way you went about it. What you describe certainly sounds like the wrong way. You say you never saw someone that remained after your efforts. Firstly, I think you were doing it wrong. Secondly, you don't know what happened to everyone after they heard the Gospel. Many of them will have joined churches and become solid Christians in time. You planted a seed and somebody else watered as the Scripture says.
Sad you became so disillusioned. Maybe take a second look. I think you have thrown the baby out with the bathwater.
@@robinconnelly6079 Sad indeed my friend. I never said I know what happened to every person. I can only speak to the people I encountered and followed up with however, I was associated with street preachers from across the country as part of an international ministry and I didn't know of anyone who saw real fruit. I never said people were not hungry for God, the problem, "in my opinion" is what hungry people were being offered by street preachers.
@jacob4047 were you connected to anyone from Apologia Church? I'd like to communicate more with you on this topic in a more private forum. I'd also like to ask you some things about the relationship between presuppositional apologetics and Orthodoxy. Do you have an email or social media handle that I can reach you through?
@@robinconnelly6079 that’s not how one plants the seed, which seed is planted, matters, and that’s not the seed of Christianity
Please pray for me. I am married to a Hindu (I'm not Indian, he is) he is very proud and has made it clear that only his possessions matter to him. Not God, or me. I have recently renounced Hinduism and found Orthodoxy. He will never follow. He's made it clear. I feel I am in a dangerous situation. I don't have family. I do not know what to do. Please pray for me whoever will.
I pray that you can take comfort in the fact that the whole church prays for you, and all people in similar situations, every time we celebrate the Divine Liturgy.
Love and pray for your husband. Many husbands and wives have been converted to Christ by the unrelenting love of their spouses. What is beyond your power is not beyond God's.
I pray for you my sister! You are not alone, your family is God's family. You have with you every saint that you may call. Call Theotokos, call a saint, call your guardian angel, call God and you will experience miracles!!! You will feel their presence! When we have noone to help us we have God Himself by our side. We just have to call Him so we can feel Him!!
from an orthodox woman from Greece!!
I have prayed for you. Nightly, pray for him. For his heart, for his mind. For his soul, that he would have ears to hear, eyes to see, and humility. Love him, beyond and above, pray all day. Show him kindness, generosity, radically love him, and show hospitality.
My husband is a Christ follower today, because I had to love him out of hell.
Where are you locality wise sister? You are being prayed for.
The growth in orthodoxy in the last three years in the uk is very noticeable. The local orthodox church now opens on saturdays to cater for all non greek speaking followers and its almost full. Praise be to God.
I am so happy to hear this!! Glory to God!!
Hey, I attend an Orthodox Church in the UK. Yes, it is growing nicely
Unfortunately there are no orthodox churches anywhere near where we live
in germany many become orthodox aswell
Praise the Lord!! 🙏☦️
Being Orthodox is a grind at times definitely. Healing can hurt. It's the narrow way no matter how you cut it. Not falling into despair is a real struggle. There's no easy way.
It's a narrow path and the journey is so so worth it
I wanna convert to orthodoxy but I come from a protestant family. I am still a teen and am not old enough to drive or go to church by myself. Pray for me ☦️🙏
We have a young man who has joined our church and his parents, although they don't attend, will drive him there. He does catechuman classes through FaceTime with our priest. If your parents won't drive you there, I'd still call the parish that you are closest to and seek advice. Orthodoxy is very welcoming, and if your parents agree to you attending, I'm sure you wouldn't have any issues finding a ride from someone from the church. Prayers for you, that God will lead your path. ☦️
We had a 15 yo young boy attending our parish. He has travelled from far by train but we saw his willingness, humbleness to learn about Orthodoxy. He can’t travel every sunday but let this encourage you to go, either by public transport or with your parents. If you’re really not able to, I think it’s also good to read books written by Church Fathers, buy an Orthodox prayer book to start living the Orthodox way
I wish I could drive you, young man! I drive a 16 year old to church a couple times a month and he can't wait until he gets his license and his own car. I hope you're able to find transportation. Keep praying and God will open a door for you to get rides to church. Start making friends at church.
Lord have mercy 🙏🏼☦️
We have a 15 year old young man who was finally able to get his father to bring him once a month. It took much prayer and time and broken promises before his father finally started honoring his wishes. He lives in a very rural area and his parents are disabled. Praying for you!
Ive been asking and looking around as a protestant for 14 years wondering why isn't my heart being transformed like I thought? Why do I still struggle so much? Why do the Christians in my church not seem any different than anyone else on the street? Why is no one talking about suffering? What does it all mean? And so much more in the quiet of my heart.... This video has spoken to so many unspoken, deep thoughts and cries I've made to God. Thank you. I am going to take the next step towards Orthodoxy.
Same over here... ❤ God bless you sister we both researching orthodoxy ❤️ God is good.
I'm due to be baptized before Lent and honestly it's not going to be one massive transformation overnight. It will take time, so just trust that the Lord has a plan for you and also ask for prayers, whether it be from saints here on earth or the saints in Heaven to pray for the transformation you need. Much love, you will find what God is calling you for, I can feel it.
My wife and I have been called to Orthodoxy six months ago and just been baptised into the faith absolutely wonderful it’s so much to learn, but have no regrets. we would recommend anyone to step inside a Orthodox Church. and experience it for yourself. No turning back for us now.
I was born in Orthodoxy and it is pretty much deeply enbedied in my life and who I am. We are living it with every breath of life and yes, Orthodoxy is not only for us it is for everyone who is called to this and who can understand. By following God will there is no place for diseases or unhappiness. Even death is just a sleep from which we will wake up by God's will and Jesus. Just repeat often Jesus Christ son of God save me! Isuse Hriste Sine Boziji Pomiluj Mene Gresnu!You will see how much power this prayer has, but you have to be patient, very patient.
Hristos Vaskrese !
Lepo ste napisali sve.
@jovanapleskonjic5726 Vaistinu Vaskrese!
The man in the thumbnail is my father 😂😂. I did not expect to open my YT app and see my Dad staring back at me.
For context, my father was a very dedicated street evangelist for years. He spent many Friday nights out on the town with a clan of zealous men preaching the word to people exiting clubs, at college campuses, headed to bars or attending events. Though I never quite agreed with the methodology of his evangelism, Im happy knowing this is how he chose to spend his free time…Studying apologetics, memorizing scripture, and training young disciples to do the same. I’m sure he left his mark on people… good and bad. Nobody forgets the angry fat black man standing on a stool yelling at them 😂😂
Since this photo, he’s calmed down alot. He hasn’t been out on the streets for a few years. I just pray he finishes the race well 🙏🏽
Thanks for posting this. My family got a good laugh at the thumbnail.
@@Radiant_Joys I apologize, I sincerely believed the image was AI generated when I found it 😅 I hope you and your family are in good spirits. May the Lord bless you
Bless you and your family. I'm glad that a humble sense of humour still exists amongst a few.
That's actually hilarious! I wish you and your family well, especially your father!
I converted to Orthodoxy back in July (baptized & chrismated), and now I'm absolutely devouring any and all Orthodox reading material that I can get my hands on while also increasing my prayer life. God is good!
@@ChristAliveForevermore it happens To everyone. Because it’s new to you like a shiny new toy. I did the same thing. The first couple years I was orthodox I was like obsessed with it. I was in church every day it was open. I read literally over 100 orthodox books and watched probably over 1000 orthodox u-tubes, I did everything I could that said orthodox Christianity and here I am 10 years later ready to leave it!!
Why?
@@zealousideal How is your prayer life?
@@rocknrolan7371 Because the wisdom of the Desert Fathers and the Church Fathers inspires a zeal within me to desire to draw closer to the incomprehensible Living God.
@@zealousideal Why are you ready to leave it?
I’m becoming a catechumen soon. Glory to God❤
me as well, Lord willing
Inquiring on Orthodoxy, the beauty and wisdom of this faith is powerful. Feeling called to grow in my faith through this church and praying for guidance in making that step 🙏
Go to the entirety of Sunday Services at your local church. Knock and the door will be opened.
I will tell you truly, it’s due to your videos and many others here on TH-cam (Fr. Josiah, Fr. Peter, Fr. Paul, and many others) as to what has planted a seed in me. Thanks to all the content, with Gods courage, I went to Divine Liturgy and that’s all it took. The seed that was planted started grow rapidly and I haven’t missed a service yet, glory be to God. I don’t say this to puff myself up because I will forever be an abominable sinner. I say all this to say thanks be to God and all His messengers that have set me on the right path. Thank you truly from the depths of my heart!!❤️☦️
I am an Orthodox from Serbia and I am glad that you mention our Nikolaj Vladimirovic. We have a saying here that people who ask questions about God, and even rebel against him, are not real atheists, but seekers after God. The only real atheists are those who are not interested in it at all. So those people who "wrestle" with God should be understood and drawn to calmness so that they can understand some things intellectually more easily.
I’m being called into orthodoxy
@@5150show That's wonderful. Good Bless
Glory to God
If I may give some advice: Take your time. It is a process, and you will learn much. Pray, if you go to your local Orthodox church be present, and ask any and all questions to the priest. God bless friend!☦️
Its a wonderful feeling,.. to know something is calling you. Its a blessing to know what is calling.
What do you do for every call u get?
I’m a Protestant in SLc. Utah. I’m looking for truth. Please pray for me and nd my family.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have Mercy on us, sinners.
May the Lord guide you and Mother of God protect you
I love listening to Father Justin, he brings so much clarity to what it means to be Orthodox and live a Orthodox life. Thank you Father.
Glory to God! as a catechumen i needed to hear this.
Huh. Good timing. I just refreshed my page and saw the new post.
Great video. We need more content on orthodox evangelism
Thank you Father! Love from Romania. Do not forget us in your prayers! ❤️☦️🫶🏻
Thank you, Father Justin!
God bless 🙌 🙏 All..Greetings ❤from Athens,Greece 🇬🇷 ΑΜΗΝ
Chania ! Ο Θεος να μας ευλογαει..
Greetings from Albania! ☦️🇦🇱❤️🇬🇷
@@sugarpoisson1 ΑΜΗΝ!!❤ Κ Η ΠΑΝΑΓΊΑ ΝΑ ΜΑΣ ΣΚΕΠΆΖΕΙ ΜΕ ΤΗ ΧΆΡΗ ΤΗΣ
@@mattimatti35 greetz too...!!!❤❤
Cristos anesti ☦️🙏
17:21 great talk. As someone that was evangelical for decades, I saw the methods used to draw people using entertainment, programs, a soft gospel, etc. Or even churches that supposedly “preach the word”, the pastor is kinda the focal point (and inevitably at least some of what is taught or modeled will be heterodox).
It was so interesting to start going to a parish and they didn’t try to get us to serve right away, didn’t push anything on us or pressure us to get baptized (turns out my priest was ready to baptize our family before we asked about setting a date or next steps). I’m so glad God was merciful to us and brought us out of heterodoxy land ignorance and into the Church. I appreciate Fr. Justin’s words about focusing on being someone that is healed by Christ. I have a tendency to want to know and convince people of the truth, but I realize that becoming more like Christ and the Saints will be more a of a testimony than the most solid evidence I can share with people. Thank you!
What a wonderful conversation to listen to, edifying for me. As I was listening to the last few minutes of this I was walking through a subway station in NYC where an older gentleman was standing alone calling out for people to draw near to Jesus.
I grew up in Queens NY.
KYRIE XPISTE O THEOS, ELEYSON Mas.
AMHN .
Thank you for making these videos Father
Good connection with Paul Kingsnorth! Thank you, Father Justin, so helpful.
My mother in law got called in HR for wearing her cross out because a muslim coworker got offended by it. She was told to hide it, she didn't and they started to look for reasons to fire her, they did, she sued and lost. This triggered diabetes in her 😢.That was UK before 2020.
I came back to Orthodoxy last year and started to wear my cross out when i realised there are christians in countries that persecute them. I am blessed to live in an orthodox country and i thank God every day 😢
Love this video, thank u for sharing ❤
I left Protestantism many years ago but cannot be catechized into Orthodoxy because the Church views my evangelistic outreach as Prelest. I was called by the Lord Jesus Christ in 2010 when he appeared to me in my home, thus I cannot renounce his calling.
I fully embrace Orthodox theology but I will not deny my Lord.
God bless and I welcome your prayers.
What does Prelest mean since I know some Russian prelest means great delight
@JERRYSHONDA
My understanding is that it means one is outside the Church.
Was a protestant pastor for 20 years. Got sick of the marketing, motivational speaking, volunteer recruitment, fundraising, and "band" worship. Became a hospital chaplain for the last 20 years, I find this work more akin to a true representation of Christ's heart for people than protestantism. Considering orthodoxy. Still attend a protestant church. Where do I begin? So many brands of orthodoxy - Russian, Antiochan, yadda yadda. Where do I begin? Also having trouble with the Iconography, relics, and hierarchy of the Orthodox Church - please help me on my search. Live in Edmonton, Alberta.
there is no difference. Orthodoxy is one. There are no brands, these are just geographical and language specific churches. Everything is the same. Pick the one that speaks your language or closest to you.
There is no difference. All Orthodox Christians have one boss, Jesus Christ.
Your content is absolutely beautiful. Thank you❤☦️
It’s been 2 years since I started exploring Christian Orthodoxy originally from a yearning for higher meaning and a desire to reconnect to my Greek heritage. I have now taken my first step and the feeling is difficult to describe and yet very comforting and now in hindsight seems so intuitive.
I street preach as Protestant, and the beginning is not how my team and I do things. We do set people up to join churches, pray for them, give to them, minister to them, and call them to live a fully repentant life, even if they claim to be Christian. Our hope is always to have a deep conversation on the foundation of faith in the biblical Jesus Christ. The church has always used the streets this way, going town to town in the scriptures
Churches.? There are NO "churches".. The Church has always been ONE and it is 2000 years old. But I suspect you refer to man made private businesses that they often call "church" when you said it. Going to the night club is just about the same as going to those private businesses.
Im a non denominational I love the orthodox practices and my church fast and pray regularly as well
But, it is still man made private business. It may mimic what Lord's Bride is doing/preaching but it won't turn it into the real deal.. it will always remain fake.
I just started going to an orthodox church, my first liturgy was definitely amazingly inspiring
Very powerful message ☦☦☦
Woke up this morning feeling like complete crap and I still feel like crap but the good thing about the Liturgy, it’s not about feelings. Push through and worship Christ our King and our God.🙏☦️
Couid be because of the cortisol levels try 5 mins of intense exercise when you wake up.
@ thank you. I really needed to hear this.
If I could send this to my brother..
Yess and yes!!
Needed to read this.
Even if i do feel crapy like today it does not matter i go to Liturgy to worship our Christ 😊🎉Thtas the Ortodix spirit ou yea life goes on and we need to push through
Christ is Risen!
Greeting from Serbia
This was a beautiful video clip thanks for the inspiration 🙏🏽
Thank you, Father for the videos….
New Martyr's Fr. Daniel Sysoev's life ministry was all about missionary work and evangelism and bringing the world into the Church. Through street evangelism, preaching and teaching.
How did the Saints do section just filled my heart with the utmost respect for our modern Saints who despite every single modern ideology thrown at them and their faith stood tall, yet humble enough to preach the truth!
God help us throught this difficult time.
Reading the comments on these videos it seems I’m not the only one, but currently I am a Roman Catholic Christian. My whole life I’ve flip flopped between Catholic and Protestant beliefs, but recently I decided to be an Apostolic Christian for real, after researching things like sola scriptura and seeing how hypocritical many Protestant denominations are. Since then I thought I had the truth in Catholicism, but something feels a bit off, cold even. During my research I didn’t learn much about Orthodoxy, but what I did learn was that Orthodoxy is almost exactly the same as Catholicism (which a few key differences) and now after learning more about Orthodoxy I feel almost called to it in a way. I don’t really know how to explain it, orthodoxy seems like Catholicism (which I agree with) just, without the same problems. Like currently the RCC is under attack, the LGBTQ movement is infiltrating churches, and the pope seems to be causing more confusion then good. I hope the great skizm is able to be healed some day because the two faiths are very similar, but at the moment it just seems like orthodoxy is a better version on Catholicism. Something about orthodox people seems very calm and genuine I can’t really explain it. Either way, this long winded comment is just to say, pray for me that I would find the truth. currently I’m torn between the two, and I’m not sure what’s right (that being said I do believe both orthodox and Catholics are both right, and both go to heaven and stuff, I just want the fullest truth possible)
Also pray for unity if you can, this is less big, but I feel like the skizm that happened in 1054 is nowhere near as big as the Protestant divide, and honestly I think the two churches could and should reunify. Not to say it would be easy, they probably won’t until the second coming, but I don’t know, I feel like we should pray for reunification, the RC could learn a lot from the orthodox.
5:37 "...They see something different about this person. They are not preachy, they are humble, they are not using same language and they are not crass and they are not afraid of dying of Co or whatever it is they are not afraid not careless but they are just not afraid and they are not like just pontificating and they are and its a danger for some Orthodox people and they are just so loving and sacrificial and they are something not of this world in them and they say what`s going on with you thats how I found Orthodoxy was by meeting someone and just you are an alien is a life like that possible and its possible and thats so i think true missionary work..."
Beautiful words
Thank you father for this. I just want to say that many of us orthodox also live half way in the world. We do sports and live secular life and then go to church. Some low church protestant christians (not all but some) do sacrife their whole life amd time to the Lord and they deny themselves. It seems that we orthodox are not best example of denying our selves. Just think about countries like Russia. So many people are nominally orthodox but they dont know much about it and they live totally secular life.
Unfortunately we are all humans and many will be like this in every church. But true orthodoxy is not about living a life like that, while protestantism offers a bland and non spiritual way of life. Protestantism has watered down the true beauty and depth of the gospel while the orthodox faith has not. However there will always be those lukewarm christians in the church, but we must strive to be more Christ-like daily. I was also born orthodox and lived very lukewarm until my faith was strengthened and renewed.
@ssavv-s21s happy to hear you faith has strengthen. But i need to dissagree that all protestant churches offers non spiritual way of life. Of course there are different churches under the term "protestant" lutherans forexample are totally differenet world than Pentecostal. I have experience in pentecostal church and can offer very ascetic and spiritual way of life also. Many pentecostals fast for weeks drinking only water during their fasts and they pray for many hours per a day. I would not say they offer shallow and non spiritual life but opposite.of course there are many kind of pentecostals and depends on country and culture how they are.
I recently had the humbling but also slightly comedic experience of somebody who was cradle Orthodox, approaching me, the idiot new convert from evangelicalism, about how to get a prayer rule going! He said that although he had been born Orthodox, he had only recently started to think about it properly and realise what a huge deal it is.
@TheMOV13 i dont know why some people think that so called cradle orthodox would automaticly be familiar to orthodoxy. Most of them have been just babtized as babies and after that they have almost nothing to do with the church or christianity. Same as lutherans and catholics. It is only when one feels the need of repentance and real relationship with God then they start to seek the Lord. And hete there is no difference between cradle orthodox or convert. Sometimes converts at least know the Bible and main lines of church history well.
6:02 Absolutely!!!! I was at target once and two orthodox priests, or maybe monks, I'm not sure, but they were orthodox and they walked past me. I felt an instant gravitation towards them, but I remained silent. It was a bit awkward, because of how strong that feeling was, they radiated with humility of a gentle spirit. God bless those two servants of God. I treasure this moment, it happened earlier this year. I'm planning on becoming an orthodox catechumen soon God willing
I'm a protestant and like Orthodox Christians, my favorite thing about them is their reverence for Christ
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, *to reveal His Son in me*, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles..
St. Paul
Galatians 1,15-16
Btw this was the Apostle Reading Today in the Church
Exactly, but let's just take a sit back and wait approach like the OC wants. Ever since being born-again, I can't help but preach to everyone I come across about Jesus and how He saved this wretched man. There is urgency to go out into this world and to make disciples....
@@2kostasd *to reveal His Son in me* was my point :) this takes a long process.. and we are not an Apostle, St. Paul was an Apostle with an specific order from King Jesus. I am not a Bishop nor a Priest, in the Church there is order. And God is in control. I was the same, I was thinking, the people out there need my preaching to be saved.. this was a false understanding of the Gospel.. preaching is not for every one but the command is to shine our lights, to focus on the Kingdom of God and be cleansed for the light of God. So people can see God's light/love in us.. this will change the world. And God sends those who are ready into His church.. miracles happen everyday, God send me and a lot of other Brothers after me to the local Orthodox Church.. I tried at the beginning with words to bring others, but they were not ready.. God knows who is ready and God gives us the go if the time comes, to talk to people.. we are not in control, God is.. I needed to learn this, I hope my experience here can help you understand what I mean. Forgive me
Thank you for this video
but we still need to become missionaries because this is the command of Christ
Especially if we declare that there is no salvation outside of the church.
I wear my cross out for this reason. Also because it means I have to be aware that I am trying to be worthy to wear it. I made sure it was as Orthodox as possible too - you can get a simple cross anywhere, but a (large) three bar cross with these weird abbreviations and symbols speaks to a lot more than can possibly be a mere fashion choice.
"Orthodox don't go door to door."
I wonder what the apostles sent out two by two would think of that?
Iirc the Orthodox view is that this was specifically for the apostles and not something automatically meant for everyone afterwards.
That's your opinion. What does the Word of God say? @@samueljennings4809
Jesus sent the 70 , two by two , to every city. Read Luke 10:25-28 Jesus tells someone what to do to inherit eternal life.
Thru out scripture all your questions are answered. The Word of God is Holy Spirit influenced.
Theres a book that perfectly demonstrates what you’re talking about called Father Arseny. A man who was put in an actual concentration camp during the Soviet Union. People initially thought of him as just some religious fanatic or typical priest. But Arseny would consistently do things that would bewilder others, thus they came to respect and ask him questions. Which had the added effect of converting those around him, whether they be criminals or camp officials. The unmistakable light of Christ passes through us like a window even in the darkest of times.
Am in Church whenever I speak to my neighbour being true to the Holy Image of Christ in them... this is how we authentically spread the Gospel.
Pontifex = Bridge ~ builder +
Catholic here but love our brothers in the orthodox churches, very beautiful ✝️☦️📿🛡⚔️JMJ
This feels like a turning point in history for Christianity that will be talked about for centuries and unto ages of ages.
God bless orthodoxy amen Jesus ❤
You should come visit Father David Hovik up here in Arlington, Washington. He is a dear friend of so many of these priests that you have interviewed. He is my spiritual Father and would be a wonderful interview.
I have been filling in for my brother, a pastor, while he's out sick. I had gotten fed up with the B.S. in churches and walked away 8 years ago. I was called to be an evangelist, but visiting many churches just aggravated me. Most "Christians" never open a Bible and read it, never ask for God's instruction or His will revealed, never value others as themselves, never minister to the broken and destitute, and never consider living a modest life. I had a Sunday off a couple of months ago and attended an Orthodox Church. I cannot wait until God releases from where I'm at so I can visit again.
I'm surprised there was no mention of the lay and clergy missionaries operating in Guatemala, just to name one of many examples. The mission there has been so successful that the first native Guatemalan bishop was ordained just this year, not to mention that they now have their own seminary. There's an entire American Orthodox organization for this work, OCMC, the Orthodox Christian Mission Center.
Roots of Orthodoxy, I highly recommend interviewing some of these bonafide missionaries and those they've converted in order to correct the perception many non-Orthodox and even baptized Orthodox in this comment section have. The way they speak of it, you'd think Orthodox Christians stopped sending out missionaries after Saints Cyril and Methodius reposed. Some may foolishly become insular, God forbid, but others have never stopped obeying the Great Commission.
The great commission, more like the great delusion
i was basically evangelised by Orthodox edits... as ridiculous as it is you can laugh it off as much as you want but the undeniable truth is that the coolness of orthodoxy definitely attracts a lot of attention from people that would get people to want to know more, definitely the edits offer a different perspective of life in how the church acts differently which guided me to join my Russian church :)
Unironically, I believe the Orthodox presence in the online Right political sector is the biggest reason why we have such an uptick in males joining the Church. Memes are perfect for getting people interested.
Protestant evangelism fits their theological understanding. Believe in Christ is more of an adherence to a proposition in a brief moment versus a way of life. When it’s a proposition about belief in Christ, the church falls by the wayside.
As an Orthodox, I must say that the Church is very deficient in everything. I am from Turkey. I became a Christian later (I was a Lutheran first). To become Orthodox I had to go to the patriarchate and beg! I gave a paper confirming my declaration of faith and met with a priest there. I was disappointed that in a room full of icons, one priest smoked a cigarette and told me ‘why do you want to become orthodox, you are already a Christian’. the other priest didn't even look at me, he was only interested in his phone. When things didn't go well in Istanbul, I was baptised in Romania. The Church should lead the way in education, health, human rights and many other things. The Catholic Church, which you don't like, is doing a lot of things today on a serious issue like HIV/Aids. Various protestant churches are doing great things all over the world. They do everything in Turkish and serve the people in their own language. In Turkey the number of Turkish Christians now exceeds the traditional Christian population because of the great work of Catholic and Protestant missionaries. There are now Turkish pastors and Catholic priests. But our Orthodox churches are so attached to their own nation that they are busy with other things instead of evangelism. In recent years, especially the south coast has been filled with Russians and Ukrainians. And when I asked the priest of the church in Antalya why you do everything in Russian, everyone should understand, I got the answer ‘The majority are Russians’. Yes, I am Orthodox, but this does not mean that I will ignore the flaws in the church. And frankly I find the church very arrogant. It is closed to all criticism and does not care how people feel.
I think you're totally right here. I like Orthodoxy and have for years but as a Catholic, and knowing something about Protestant Christianity, other Christian groups are heads and tails above Orthodoxy as far as being out in the world, meeting people where they are, and in living out the faith in a tangible, discernible way.
The Orthodox think that by offering the liturgy in a reverent way, and being personally reverent, they have done this. Catholics by contrast, believe in both/and, that you must live out the faith in a tangible way and that in that transformed state, you MUST go out into the world and live that faith *out there*.
Latin Mass Catholicism is largely to thank for the massive growth of Christianity in Africa. They offered the Mass, and believed the Eucharist was truly the body and blood, and then they went out and built schools, and orphanages, and hospitals, and everything else that people need to live day to day.
I ask you: which model seems more consistent with the Gospels?
Glad we don't have those problems in the United States, I'll pray for you.
@@anonosaurus4517 become Orthodox, pope Frances is evil
@@anonosaurus4517 the Catholic and Protestant churches seem more consistent. The only reason I became orthodox is that the Holy Trinity as explained by the orthodox church makes more sense to me. I didn't become orthodox because I was fascinated by the Byzantine liturgy like the westerners and was looking for an oriental, mystical church. On the contrary, I am annoyed by the sullen priests. When I was a Lutheran, I sometimes went to the Catholic church near me to pray, and I got on very well with the priest there. I still call him on important days. Only once in the Orthodox Church did I meet a caring, smiling clergyman like in the Lutheran and Catholic Churches. He is my spiritual father now. The church I go to now is mostly Russian. Everything is very soulless, they use slavonic, no one communicates with anyone. I, who used to go to church on Sundays before everyone else, no longer enjoy going to church.
Unfortunately, you are right. There are many deficiencies and no one is doing anything. Those who want to do something are being prevented.
If we really want Orthodoxy to grow, the first step is to literally just speak english. That right there would be HUGE.
There are many english-speaking Orthodox with English services. Obviously more would be better, but it's best not to deal in absolutes
Go and preach the gospel and baptize them in the name of the father and son and holy spirit
It's interesting, because I was on a spiritual journey for 10 years and thru that process my desire was to truly change, transform and ascend. I was so excited and positive in the beginning...but it wasn't rooted in the truth and knowing that thru some eye opening experiences and spiritual warfare I am now so exhausted I don't even desire a spiritual life now. I don't know how to get it back, plus I had to admit to myself that I still don't fully believe in the truth and I'm very scared to commit to this especially if I don't fully believe it yet.
I am sure you want to know the Truth!! Just pray to the Truth with all your heart and He will show you Himself. Because Truth is a person! Only Jesus Christ said he is the Truth, the Path and the Life, the Light of the world!!
Understandable. There's a good prayer for those who lack faith, taken directly from the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 9. A father was begging Jesus Christ to save his child, and He replied that all things are possible for those who believe. The father then said this: "Lord I believe; Help my unbelief!". Christ answered this faithless prayer, and the man's son was freed from the demon which possessed him.
We sick and tired ones ought to come to the Divine Physician for healing. If we are exhausted and doubtful, how much greater the need for His medicine!
Thanks
15:36 is an exact quote from my wife whenever I try to talk to her about it.
Orthodoxy is rare in parts of the American West. I live hundreds of miles from the nearest physical Orthodox church. Am I somehow barred from becoming an Eastern Orthodox Christian because it is virtually impossible for me to physically attend a church service?
No you are not! Bible Illustrated has an amazing video regarding this, I really recommend emailing the closest priest to you bro!!
The Church is to prepare the souls to worship The Lord in eternity ❤
is it okay if to ask for prayer here my name is Hector if you guys don't mind praying for me.
I have been raised as Roman Catholic but I have been learning about EO and it seems like the true denomination to me but I am nervous to get into it 😢
As a former Catholic, I know exactly what you mean. If it makes you feel better (in case you didn't know already), the Catholic Church recognises the Orthodox Church as a legitimate Church with valid apostolic succession and valid sacraments. According to Vatican II, we are the "second lung" of the Catholic Church. This is not a joke, Pope Francis even told Catholics that it's a mortal sin for Catholics to attempt to convert Orthodox Christians to Catholicism 😅.
Other than that, I fully understand your struggle. It took the combination of prayer and lots of learning from both sides for the evidence to mount enough for my conversion to happen. Eventually, I had a Catholic priest tell me to become Orthodox!
If you haven't already, I highly recommend that you read the Chieti document and Alexandria document, both of which are papal approved Vatican documents.
Put out into the deep water.🙏☦️
Have courage, friend.
Don't be afraid. Pray and God will show you the real Church. Open your heart and mind and you will see the Truth!! And you will be amazed by the Truth!!
It's pre denomination
I agreed to go with my sister to her protestant church today as long as she will go with me to an orthodox church next week.
Fun
One thing that I love about Orthodoxy is I don't have to be gaslighted and told cashless money and neuralink aren't the mark or at the very least precursors. The transhumanists problem is taken seriously here thankfully.
Protestant street preacher here. I’d argue there is great Biblical basis for people being sent out into the streets to preach the Gospel. The prophets preached in the centers of towns, Peter taught in the Temple, Paul preached in the streets, etc. Not only that, but there have been numerous Christian saints who preached in the streets before me.
I have been honored with being able to meet countless unbelievers, false professors, and backsliding Christians. Something that I usually try to emphasize is the need to get into a local church (where they can receive the Sacraments).
Normally I will open up a book of the Bible, read a passage, and then explain it. I don’t use a microphone and don’t use any signs anymore. If someone comes over, I’ll present the Gospel, try to find a Scriptural remedy for their situation, and then I will pray for them if they want me to. Repentance is between them and God and I cannot force that, neither will I lead them in a “sinner’s prayer”. They have the information and I trust God will use it if He chooses to save them.
Very good answer amen
In the early church, the Lord "added" to the church more than through "evangelism". I think the Orthodox Church benefits more through the process of "addition", while the Western Church benefits more through "evangelism".
"Door knocking" is not anti-Orthodox. We must not contract an aversion to things we see protestants doing and remember that without Him nothing was made that has been made. Many of these things just simply need correcting.
This goes for us Catholics as well.
Roman Catnolic have the same challenge. However protestants have one thing in favour and that is their love for Bible reading and building a personal relationship with Jesus.
I'm not convinced that there is no place at all, in Orthodoxy, for any kind of public-space engagement, but it's a subject I'm very interested in and have not reached any firm conclusion about. As for going door-to-door, cheapening Orthodoxy, well, maybe it depends what you are doing on the doorstep, that would be cheapening Orthodoxy or not. I recently noticed that the Rumanian Orthodox Church opened a new parish in a defunct Anglican church building, right on the edge of a big sprawling housing estate. Would it be bad just to get out and visit the folks, maybe with some flyers, just to let people know that they are there and part of their local community? Maybe trying to directly "save" people on the doorstep would not be good, but we don't have to mimic what the evangelical folks do.
I'm a Catholic with an enormous respect for my Orthodox brothers in Christ. I love Orthodoxy, and I can only wait for the day we reunite
God bless you brother. But I don't think that we will never unite. Nor would it be good.
@@ladyjane8023 we will unite in heaven. Stop being so negative
@Israella_ I'm not negative. But that's facts. If you know the reason why Christianity split in 1054, then you know why Orthodoxy will never be accepted the pope as their supreme leader. I respect the Catholics but there is nothing from unification.
@ladyjane8023 We will all be united in Christ. God won't ask if you believe the papacy on judgement day for goodness sake. You're not any better than the Catholics. Yes orthodtis more true, but you're not better than them.
Don't be like the Pharisees for which you'll be CONDEMNED for.
@Israella_ Yes in heaven but I was talking about this moment. Because in these years there is talk about ecumenism....
I'm Catholic, Traditional Catholic. I used to be mainstream Novus Ordo.
TLM sounds in harmony with Orthodoxy, moreso than Novus Ordo, which likes the business model. I used to call mainstream "Roman Corp" when I was mainstream. It didn't make common or spiritual sense. Trad Catholic does. Times and seasons, fast and feasts, prayer and meditation, sacraments and liturgy given by God, rather than human artifices.
Substance, not image. My God in heaven, with all the writing and talking and academia and the noise, the best knowledge of what can be experienced in God's grace can never be communicated by these means. Guideposts can be staked out for sure. But that's about it. It's really beyond human telling.
God be praised forever!
I'm a member of a non-denominational church. It is sad to see, how bad reputation the non catholics have. A lot of time it's right. There are good examples. We do street evangelism and we see teenagers, exprisoners, people from the lowest of lowest get a new life. We practice all the daily repentance and it has a deep beauty in it. I never felt bigger joy when I first realized I avoid any filthy imagination. If someome want to follow christ will find a way. Maybe we don't have the full truth but we are dedicated for Christ and his message.
That's absolutely beautiful. I also dislike the idea that everyone outside the Orthodox church isn't a true christian. The Holy Spirit can work everywhere, but as I believe He should, sooner or later, bring any christian with sincere faith to the one true Church that Christ has left for us, His Holy Bride
You are not wrong about the gimmicks, which feel superficial. Shallow waters , a dry well.
I have no Orthodox church where I live, however my prayer is an orthodox community church will come to where I live and I pray that I may attend and be baptized into it.
Until than, I must humbly go to what is near me and serve God.
Secondly, protest-ants seem to be competitive towards other churches, and it seems divisive.
How many muslims have become fervent Christians all because of an evangelical apologist who brought him the truth and had a theological debate
I found orthodoxy through the internet!
I'm a protestant Christian. Can you pray guidance to me?
Sorry, but ordained and blessed evangalism was a real thing in Orthodoxy. Especially in earlier times, there was more missionary work. This is one of the current Orthodox people's many lacking virtues. Some must go into the heart of darkness. I cannot bare a silent and pacifist life. My Lord calls me to spiritual battle, and to shine in the world. As the Lord said: "What good is a lamp under a bed?'
Amen!
Yes, and that still goes on. However, notice them evanglism are done via clergymen or Elders. Not anyone random, or without a Blessing by a Bishops. The video speaks more on the Protestant dangers of methods of spreading the message of Christ. But yeah, you right though. God bless us both
We pray everywhere, but not on the public, bless from Russia
Hey I live in Australia, Melbourne and most of the Orthodox churches don't speak English. Does any one here know of or are involved in English based orthodoxy?
St Nicholas in East Melbourne has English liturgy on Wednesdays 7pm
The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church at Monash University, Clayton. Fr Geoff Harvey is wonderful.
GOA Digital Chant Stand with this app you can read/pray every Service in english (on your phone during church) no matter where you are on earth in which Orthodox Church
There's also Holy Ascension in Melbourne's West.
I've noticed a couple of things about the E.O. Church
They claim that they only are exactly perfectly right
They have made themselves the plumb line for who is right or wrong.
They themselves have appointed themselves to that place
Second
I've noticed that their position about what constitutes true evangelism is to keep themselves within the 4 walls of their structures.
Christ stated prior to His ascension to ( go out into the world and preach the Gospel)
Preaching the Gospel is the responsibility of every born again Christian
Soul winning is outward
That is
Out where the sinners are
Yes absolutely at times Jesus preached and taught the Gospel in the temple however global evangelism by its nature requires the church
Individual believers to go out and be a witness and to spread the message of the Gospel through their mouth.
My personal experience has taught me that 99% of the people I have been able to reach in public have never heard the Gospel clearly communicated
This is sorrowful
Sinners basically will never go to a church
That's why Christ commanded the church to be outward in evangelism
Sinners go to church all the time! You're proof haha!
Unless you think you're no longer a sinner?
Christ spoke to the Apostles specifically, and gave them His Blessing for that. And the Apostle gave that right to specific people right for the job. Thats why the Saint Paul was strict upon who was the teacher, and taught the people, not everyone in the first century went out to preach on the streets. Because, it is a right Christ gave to the Apostles, and the Apostles gave others that right too.
Thats why Orthodox Christians just invite their friends to talk with the Priest about matters of the faith. Furthermore, I will only usually spend time with those who are interested in the faith, or ask me question. But, we don't do street preaching because it has the be blessed by the next in line of Bishops that goes back all the way back to Apostles. However, do we ask answer questions if answered? Yes, but generally keep the answer very simple/basic to avoid heresy.
Have a good day though please. May God bless us both.
Protestants have done more work for Jesus let's be honest.
@Tee-lady the Lord Jesus Christ bless you friend 🧡
@@Tee-lady Sorry to break it to you... but the world was fine without Protestantism. Christianity was doing just fine for 1500 years without Protestantism.
Protestantism introduced novel, unapostolic ideas like Sola Scriptura, leading to chaos as different people have different interpretations of Scripture. This in turn led to people questioning the long standing traditions of even the Apostolic Churches that were there from the very beginning, leading people to atheism, and some would say even the decay of Western culture.
The pride in your very comment is the horrible heart and fruit of Protestantism, that has then seeped into society bringing about secularism.
Most protestants don’t have the idea of just saying a prayer and not have a call to change the life. Im Orthodox but I hate when we misrepresent others either out of ignorance or purposefully.
I’ve spoken to many protestants that think this way, especially the very low church ones..
@ They’re the minority. I used to be Protestant and never heard that. Even those who proclaim “once saved always saved” would expect changes as a result of one’s accepting Christ.
Where I live there are no Orthodox churches closest one is 2 hrs aways, I use the internet to hear the word, I am drawn to the Orthodox Church. So what should I do?
Have you ever visited the one that's 2 hours away? I say plan a day where you can and go from there.
I recommend watching Bible Illustrated's video on the subject as well
I am attending to a Catholic service, because we don't have any orthodox church in my city
Hieromartyr Daniel Sysoev was accused of using “Baptist methods” in his missionary work and this was his response:
“As far as my missionary projects, they are all based on Orthodox principles. We do not employ any Protestant materials. We have trained street preachers who guard people against sectarianism, talk about God with those who wish it, and invite them to the church for services. The basic text for these street conversations is the catechism of Met. Philaret. Similar forays have been made into the marketplace and into Baptist assemblies. At church we hold Thursday talks on the Bible (based on the teachings of the fathers of the Church) and Friday catechetical talks, the text of which you have read.”
- Letters, June 11, 2008
From this example we can see that the Orthodox Church is not inherently opposed to missionary methods like street evangelism.