Finding Purpose and Repentance in Orthodoxy

Wow, my journey is so close to yours.

Thank you father Seraphim!

I am so blessed to be Ethiopian Orthodox Christian 🙏🏽❤️ I will be lost without my faith. Thank you Lord🙏🏽

Be blessed.

I’ve just recently started attending an Orthodox Church in Indianapolis! I’m converting from Roman Catholic to Orthodoxy.
What Church was this?

I’m curious did he really say the death of Christ was not enough for him ? How can that be a truthful statement ? Even baptism and communion center on the death and resurrection

This was so excellent. Everytime I hear these teachings, I want to come to the Orthodox Church. I am reading a lot, yet also aware of my own passions that need cleaning up. Sometimes I fear that I might focus so much on my faults that I miss the simple joys of just living lightly. But the bible says, that come to Christ that your joy may be full! John 15:11.

"We need the pro-active part of repentance." 😄 Bottom line. 👍🙏

Can we ever really not be irritated?

Beautiful words🙏🏻
Thank you father 🙏🏻

There are rules when you get married, not in "government law" but in the Bible.

For christians in general.
1 Corinthians 7:
But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.
- emphasis on 'each', 'own', 'wife', 'husband'. Not 'all', 'wives', 'husbands'.

For christian leaders.
Timothy 3:2-5:
A church leader should be one whose heart is for his wife alone and not another woman. He should be recognized as one who is sensible, and well-behaved, and living a disciplined life.

Any practicing christian, orthodox or not, lives by the Bible and should know this. This is not an orthodoxy thing.

1 Corinthians 2:5 In-Context

3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling.

4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,

5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.

7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
❤

◄ 1 Corinthians 1:17 ►
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Matthew 9:3-7

[3]And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
[4]And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
[5]For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
[6]But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
[7]And he arose, and departed to his house.
❤

Isaiah 14:12-14

[12]How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
[13]For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
[14]I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

I met the Lord in 1959 and since that time He has shown me how to carve Prophetic Sculptures based on dreams that I have (i never carved a sculpture before this time). The "Ring Of Fire" (logo) was a dream where I saw my arm joined to the Holy Spirit and we were touching the Horn of God (Power). Let me know what you think.

Convert from Judaism to Orthodoxy, my heart was hungry for Truth and healing. Glory to God!

As a Protestant who has a lot of respect for the Orthodox Church, there is some bad information here considering Protestants. Much of what he said Protestant’s don’t consider they really do. The idea of Christ as physician is quite common, the idea that you’re being continuously perfected, very common teaching, it’s right there in the verse talking about how Christ continues the good work in you until that day. I am a Protestant of about 40 years. My wife’s family was Orthodox and her uncle an OCA monk. We spent many a service at the monastery on special occasions. From my view we gain little by criticizing each other. Pointing out the differences in worship and specific beliefs can be helpful but saying that one or the other doesn’t make sense just doesn’t help. My view has been that the Orthodox do better in some areas and Protestants do better in others. I would fuse much of the two ideally. The key though is that we both believe that Christ is the way the truth and the light and that no man comes to the father except through him. If you believe that, believe that you are a sinner in need of a savior and Christ is that savior and you repent of your sins, you are good to go. That doesn’t mean there isn’t much growth ahead, but there you are. I have no doubt in my mind that when we all get to heaven we will find out that there were things Protestants got right that the Orthodox missed on and other things that Orthodox got right that the Protestants missed. The key is that Christ is the center of it all and our savior. In the meantime I’d prefer to encourage each other.

What he says about Judas is great. He did love God. Just as many of us do, we still sin and betray God. Some of us do it even more than Judas and betray God on a daily basis.

“What good is it to be forgiven if you’re still a sinner?”

I am a great Sinner I repent everyday

Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on me a Sinner

I’m curious about your thoughts on Ascetic necessity for salvation. In the past I’ve read Colossians 2 as needing to avoid ascetic practices (in Paul’s case, eastern religious [perhaps even buddhist] and Stoic beliefs, and instead, removing yourself from the situation where you would fall prey to temptation, as well as it being okay to lean into your emotions rather than deny them. Jesus wept, but Marcus Aurelius (correct me if I’m wrong on that, but I believe it was he) would say “when you kiss your son before going to bed each night, remember one day he will die” so that you don’t get too attached. My question is what is the orthodox reading of that chapter, and how can I understand it better from your perspective?

More power to you as far as my concern... Yet, this was just another level of responsability transfer... Therefore? ... No. You didn't and don't know the good Catholics so much so and speaking of which... You guys (Orthodox) are the only ones that celebrate with us on the Vigil mass during the Tridum in Rome... Man... This sound like a job interview speaking ill of your last boss... Therefore... Get yourself together!!!

First time watching something like this before in a long time im now 30. Ive been through many different strife in life, and felt pain, just like anyone else rape, assault, mental health, money woe, not feeling like I truly belong, not feeling like the world is correct, wondering my true purpose wanting to forgive the people who raped me, life has been just as life is. Im learning and realising how much brain washing and evil was placed before me, and I'm trying my best to find god and start my journey through healing to his love and light. My mother always instilled his love and glory, I just ignored it. I rebelled against the most high, being confused and hurt with the devils control, and this just concretes my feelings. Thank you Jesus. Thank you lord. I am working through my sins and will repent and ask for forgiveness. Please whomever sees this and feels his love, pray for me brother and sisters. And I will do the same for us all. Blessings and love to all. Amen.

Let me save you 30 minutes to the simple question: what’s true salvation?
Answer acts 16:32 believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.

It is not a question of choosing the most adapted religion BUT to follow Christ Jesus and make him the master of our life. Orthodoxy is the same as any other religion, it is not perfect, it can be idolatry with its gold, rituals and appearance.
The church is not a building but The body of Christ and everyone who accepts Jesus and follow him belongs to this body. That is why the first disciples were called « Christians » and not Catholics, Protestants or Orthodoxes. On the other side I agree with what this man says about salvation. He really loves Jesus.

This is a good dude but Christ died for our sins past present and future. Accepting him is salvation period. Are you going to continue to sin? Of course. Accepting the sin and repenting is apart of walking with Christ. You’re trying to stay on the path. Not repenting and then a truck runs you over before you have time to repent doesn’t mean you’re damned to hell. You’ve already accepted Christ. That’s the most important part. Period. Is Judas in hell. No. He accepted Christ as his savior. His sin doesn’t damn him because he was already saved.

I have two Orthodox churches in the town I'm based in with the army I tried both found out very quickly that I was not welcome their. I got the impression they don't like the native Brits.

Never heard of orthodoxy Christian, first time, sounds good. I’m a Christian, but why do we have to put a label on everything? Jesus never said anything about these labels. To much confusion. We are simply saved by Him. Let’s just walk in that and obey and believe on Him and the Word. Allow Him and the Holy spirit and the Word to mold us daily.

Went to my first Orthodox church last weekend. An amazing experience.

Jesus died and paid the penalty of sin with his blood for our salvation.

With this simple testimony I realized once again why I became Orthodox - it is because of application of reason in the faith.

This is so powerful and true testimony of the christian orthodox. As an orthodox i agréé with him. Praised be the Holly Spirit because he is our strenght and happiness. I have anyway a mention to do: not all catholic churches are the same. Many of them are doing fasting and prayer. I agréé that salvation is forgiveness and healing. May Lord Jésus Christ help us walk with him daily and help us have good purpose for our soul. And for the souls. Ame one more thing: Jesus gave saints in both churches : orthodox and catholic. So we are brothers 😊🌿🙏

Και οστις ου βασταζει τον σταυρόν
εαυτού και έρχεται οπισω μου
ου δύναται ειναι μαθητης μου...

I thought orthodoxy had a strong case for being the true church but clearly they don’t agree amongst each other on simple things like baptism plus they stayed in the basement while Roman Catholics spread around the world

What a wonderful priest. Lord Jesus Christ son of God have mercy on me, a sinner.☦️

“If you don’t have a spiritual life, you’re a plaything for the devil” - explains a lot.

It's interesting. When he talks about the Pope, what he says is based on a false notion. I was with him till he said what he said. A good reminder that even if a priest sounds and looks holy, they can also be wrong.

Long story short: base the core of your life on God so that you might help show the truth and give more men the grace of the word

Such an important discussion!

Every one of these man-made religious systems conflates Biblical justification w/ Biblical sanctification. Salvation is not becoming better or morally perfect, and it’s certainly not “healing.” It is being justified by faith in Christ’s finished work at which time Christ’s perfect righteousness is applied to the believer’s account, which yes, is essentially forgiveness. Sanctification is the lifelong process whereby you become more Christ-like. People cannot get over the idea that they can contribute nothing to their salvation bc in God’s sight “all of our righteousnesses is like filthy rags.” So much education, but so wildly off the mark.

Thank you so much for this video. I have been where he was also. I am looking at the Orthodox faith. God Bless

I love Father Seraphim, he is so authentic.

"The whole point of being an Orthodox Christian is for illumination, to become perfected and to know God. That's it. That's the whole reason."

Wonderful. I'm a Jay Dyer fan and now I'm a Post Modern Theology subscriber.

I am an Orthodox catechumen. I feel like everything I have ever known as a Methodist or a Catholic has prepared me for the journey that I am on.

Anyone know if he talks about the "prodigal son" as they have in the thumbnail? I've been curious abou this story since my own father called me this. However, I don't see the prodigal son as a very flattering comparison? I am interested in Fr. Seraphim Holland's take on this though.

When you said the difference between the West and East was one talks about healing versus mere light bulb went on for me

This is one of the most important videos on the Internet.