*To clarify, I am NOT against exercise or challenging exercise.* The inability to listen closely to what is being said, and the selective listening that is following it rather astounding, and reveals once more, a problem with people reading into things with bias and passion. I never once said in this video to not exercise, or that exercising with regard to a persons profession is a bad thing. I explicitly condemned the obsession with exercise to the point of excessiveness, or for the sake of vanity. It’s troubling that many have struggled to listen close enough to not present a fallacious understanding of the content of this video. This channel remains focused on trying to help others navigate the Royal path while maintaining the right belief of our faith, and encouraging its viewers to push harder and dig deeper into the life in Christ.
I've been shocked sometimes, Father, with how violently people will misunderstand when we say anything that might imply that physical exercise is not in-and-of-itself an absolute good. I remember I once expressed disapproval that a certain priest overseas was participating in body-building competitions wherein he dressed immodestly, only for the other people in the thread to somehow extrapolate that I thought that clergy should never exercise! Even though I only commented on his clothing (or lack thereof)!
@@fr.georgegoodge979father I think this is only happening in America and countries like that I think it's because it is very hard to renounce our vain glory when we grew up on that So I think people try to justify anything that bothers their conscious I exercise, but I only do it because I'm disabled and cannot work, so I'm physically inactive, but I admit that otherwise it's vainglorious and just filling us with proud thoughts.. A healthy man with an active job does not need exercise, especially if he has a family and other responsibilities, that is already very tiring I also try not to look at the mirror, and try to wear long sleeve t-shirt it's very hard to battle proud thoughts, making it harder doesn't help..
@@fr.georgegoodge979 Hello Father! Sadly, a large portion of Orthodox people online are inquirers who start going down the long rabbit hole of Orthobros / Jay Dyer. Instead of focusing on spirituality, they become extremely legalistic and treat non-dogmatic issues as if they are dogma. I'm sorry that you have experienced these things, Father George. My parish priest and I spoke about these things a while back, and he was frightened that 'Cyberdoxy' had been my initial exposure. I kindly explained to him that it had not, so thank our Lord and Savior! I am only 15 and a cradle Italian-Catholic, currently converting to Orthodoxy, so please pray for me as I pursue monasticism and the priesthood!
One last word from me on this topic. I think the misunderstanding is that obsession with anything in the Orthodox life is or should be obviously rejected so when topics stating the obvious come along they tend to be seen as implying more than they do. You’re dealing with people struggling to see themselves able to do most of these things at a sustainable level in their lives, Father. This life is hard, we are a weak generation, mangled by sin, we are always told how hard Salvation is to the point we almost lose hope. And then things pile on that we don’t see ourselves able to keep up even if we do abstain from the big ones. We can’t trust our feelings, our thoughts, anyone around, ourselves to be able to do anything, our fasting is weak, our prayer and Faith are weak, our good works are shoddy at best and pride is always showing itself around every corner. So then how can we keep the straight line easily, when it’s obvious we can’t, without falling into despair, which is in itself a sin? We just don’t have the spiritual experience to easily navigate. I’m in, but sometimes I do wonder how I can call myself a follower of Christ and what hope there is for someone like me… Please, forgive me if my inability to comprehend what you said from the beginning has upset you. I have great respect for your work here and I have benefited from it before and now.
I was quick to judge you, father, but then I gave another listen, and you said it well: If the exercise lacks prayer, it’s done for vanity. My apologies, and many years to you.
Father Mikahil, my heart and ego have grown too large and God has withdrawn His grace. Please keep me in your prayers that I can come out of this dark spell stronger and closer to God than ever before
Father bless! Christ is Risen! I am writing on the leave-taking of Pascha. Thank you for this. Apparently you hit some hot buttons. May the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit grant you and your family protection and peace as you fight the good fight. 🙏☦️
Thank you father! I really needed this video, and I think a video on these (indeed) hard sayings is so timely right now as I've seen a lot of dismay and even outrage regarding certain sayings online in recent days. It was also very useful to hear the 'baby steps' we can take to slowly reach these challenging goals, as I think what sparks a lot of the impulsively negative reactions towards these sayings is that we feel so far away from being able to realistically practice them in our own lives, so the despair gets converted wrongly to outward criticism and rejection (God forbid!) of the teachings from within our church. Towards this end, I think it is so helpful to give us the little things we can start to do to follow that difficult path, in the hopes of slowly gaining spiritual momentum to tackle the bigger ultimate goals of asceticism, such as prayer before eating, abstaining before holy communion, etc. Thank you so much for this video and for all the help this channel provides!
I got a suggestion for content. You answer the questions asked by these channels...they have live shows 6pm eastern time mon through Fridays, the channels are "ask a priest live" and the other channel is "Catholic answers". So you answer the questions that people ask from your orthodox perspective. This would be interesting
Thanks father, God bless. It really is hard to live a life in Christ (or to acquire that), but then it becomes easy and a real blessing. Glory to God, amen.
Father, I have a serious problem. When I my prayers, specifically morning, after I feel like they were not good enough, so I say them again, and I let my pride judge me, not god. Every morning I say the Jesus prayer 50 times and say repentance psalm 50. But I feel like I did not say them to get closer to God. Thoughts go on in my mind when I pray, and it is hard to get them out. So I say them again. Please help me, I don’t know what it means to get closer to God, it is confusing for me. I’m only 11 years old.
Oh, I hope Father Mikhail will see your message, but do not despair for this matter. Ask your Spiritual Father also, and have Faith that God does hear your prayers. God Bless!
Hello my son! First stop repeating the prayers. The key is to calm oneself before jumping into prayer so that the mind is more stilled. For most people, adults and children alike, this will be a struggle in the beginning, especially because we live in a time when everything is competing for our attention. First, I would make sure to be reading the lives of saints, or listening to them before sleep. When you wake up, cross yourself before getting up and then try doing seven prostrations. Then focus on your icons and just remember that God is there with you. Then slowly begin your prayer and focus on each word and see how it applies to you. Make it yours.
@@Christian_orthosebI have only skimmed the surface of the life of Tsar Nicholas, but I have read deeply into the life of the Saint featured in this video: St. Gabriel of Georgia, who happens to be my patron Saint, and would highly recommend him. Trisagion Films here on CZcams has an excellent hour plus long documentary on his life. Also you may find inspiration in the life of St. Moses the black. May the Lord bless you. I will keep you and your struggle in my prayer rule 🙏
Father, you touched on something that has been a major issue for me recently, and that was the sexual acts we should not do with our spouse. I was used to performing sodomy with my wife, but ever since I have discovered Orthodoxy, I felt a need to bring this up to my wife several times, and tell her I don't want to do these things anymore. Ultimately she threatens divorce, which was very hurtful because I feel as if my whole marriage could have just been lust disguised as love. I don't know what to do, and have retracted what I told her several times. I feel as if I keep betraying the Lord, and I don't know what to do, because I have to do what is right. Theres a lot of nuance to this story, but I would greatly appreciate any advice on this matter.
Let’s set up a time to talk. fr.mikhail.baleka@gmail.com. She does need to realize that if that’s the one thing the marriage was hinging on, then that’s a weak love and a weak marriage as it was only based on personal pleasure. She needs to sit down with you and discuss the reasons why you and her got married and decide what’s more important.
@@living_orthodox Also, where and by who were they married (legal matters aside)? Is a marriage outside of Orthodoxy considered a "true" marriage? And what are the Church views on a partner who wants these things against the will of the other (I know only cheating is grounds for "acceptable" divorce). Thank you!
I actually find this video to be comforting. I’ve been listening a lot of ramblings from some of the Ancient Faith Radio website.Ive tried to leave comments but they delete them. It’s been very upsetting to me. This video is validating my beliefs
Thanks for posting father. Also please talk about this subject more in longer video. I speak for myself when I say it takes a little bit to grasp some things. It's easier when simpler words are used. Lord have mercy on me a sinner. Thanks again. God bless ☦☦☦
Agreed! I think we need more videos on these hard sayings to clarify them, to help the despairing critics who might find them too strict or far-fetched, and to continue to enlighten and inspire us laypeople towards these holy goals.
As a firefighter I can attest to this. We had a working house fire last shift and it reminded me of how it important it is for me to keep in a high level of fitness! I was exhausted!
it’s the orientation that matters. Toward Christ, blessed; otherwise, not blessed. Fr Mikhail did say “an unhealthy obsession,” not “a healthy respect for” physical fitness was problematic. Good struggles!
He really didn’t even imply that there is anything wrong with working out. It shouldn’t be obsessive or for vanity was about the extent of the critique.
Father, can we who do not reach the heights of Saints, even if we aim to reach them, have any hope of salvation? I do not totally dispair (because dispair is never from God), but I have only a tiny amount of hope. Everything points towards eternal torments for me, my family and my friends. God is merciful and I have seen his mercy and love while Alive, but I wish I had some reason for hope beyond this. I would like to know the hard sayings but also learn of any evidence for hope (so long as it doesn't produce pride in me). Sincerely, a sinner
Saints have reached a much higher level than salvation. Pride is a bad thing, stay away from it. Go to Church, pray and speak to a spiritual father NEAR you.
@@mr.google2680 I do go to Church and speak to my spiritual Father. I want to avoid Pride so maybe it is best for my own sake not to consider this issue too much.
God is merciful. Keep reading books from the saints and teachers and scripture. Don’t let your thoughts spiral in these ways, and pray for God to show you how He sees you and others. I struggle with the same thing. We can’t judge ourselves imagining that’s how God sees us. His judgment is much different from ours.
I share happily in the good truths the Greek Orthodox have in their beleifs yet for all that they condemn us (Coptic Orthodox) as heretics when in fact this is false but a sister church which ought to be working together. To fuss over a few words whether correctly understood or not ought not be the subject of church division unless of coures this relates to a salvation issue, which it does not. Its one thing to say to walk in love and grace but another to actually do it. I wish the Greeks blessings and good grace in their faith. Yes, the end of the world is predicted to be at the end of the 6th Day coming very soon....
We're not all Greek Orthodox in the Holy Orthodox Church. There's Russian, Serbian, Bulgarian, Romanian, Georgian, Antiochian, OCA, etc. too. But we all share all doctrines, dogmas and beliefs, having one Faith. That isn't true of the Oriental communion. As well there are other things which separate putting aside Dyophisitism vs. Miaphysitism.
And one more thing about marital relations (I'm not even married but interested). No marital relation before Divine Liturgy. If you go on Wednesday morning, Friday morning and Sunday morning, Wednesday and Friday being fasting days, that means that only Monday is left for such things. Then there is the question about other appropriate times for relations, and you might end up (if you're also not ready to have a child possibly after every time) having the window open for a couple of time a year or something like that. Which is ridiculous. It's easier to be celibate at that point and refrain from anything.
@@living_orthodox Yes, I am struggling. That is why I ask these things... I have listened to many Orthodox sources on marriage and I am unsure, so I ask because there is controversy (maybe false) between the ways marriage in the Orthodox Church is seen sometimes. Some Early Church Fathers make it seem like the bodily connection is just a result of the fall and that anything except for the creation of children is out of order. Then there is St. John Chrisostom who says that marriage is not only for procreation but also for the bonding and strengthening of the two and also to approach each other without the express desire to procreate and for it to be blessed and not a sin. And then there is the action of "planning" against the possibility of a child through the use of the calendar or by other physical contraceptive means that don't use pills, surgery or condoms. It's condemned it seems and so if a woman gets pregnant every time, then you have about a year of no relations and if that happens every year, you come to the once or twice a year I have mentioned before. And at that point, it seems harder to abstain from relation with a woman by your side than to just be alone. Where is the balance? That's what I want to know. What is certainly acceptable and what is not. If we are always on the verge of death, shouldn't these things be clear? Please forgive me if i’ve irked you in any way, I greatly appreciate your work here.
First, you seem obsessed with this issue. I wonder why? As a married woman and Orthodox I can say that you should leave this question and wait until He mercifully gives you a spouse. At the time that you need this information, God will provide it through your pre-marital counseling with your priest. My husband and I have been blessedly married for nearly 50 years. We have learned there is moderation in everything, as Fr. Michael is indicating here in this video.
@@s.d.berquist6866 ok, I’m obsessed now. Is it that weird to want to know how to approach something like one of the two, maybe three ways of life for an Orthodox Christian? Is it an obsession to want to know how a couple should think of and act upon such issues, which are obviously one of the main reasons for marriage? Moderation is expected but concrete ways of not going to hell as a couple don’t seem so clear in this sense, except for the obvious abstaining in fasts, etc. I am already 30, having been Orthodox for only a couple of years. If I’m not deciding quite quickly which way to go, I’m out of this loop. And if I don’t know which is best for me and what I can do as a husband to at least try to make a marriage work, then what’s the point? Make it a mess for the both of us? It’s not practical. Can I be a good father to 3-4 kids at the age of 45? I don’t know anymore…
@@s.d.berquist6866 As an orthodox woman myself who is not yet married, I think these questions are valid, and it's not wrong to be troubled or challenged by some of these 'hard sayings', even while we strive to keep deferring to authority within the church while praying and learning more about them. It is not right to pass a judgment on a stranger for asking a question. I understand where he his coming from. It's a question as to what is a reasonable, realistic allowance for marital relations if there are about 200 feast days a year and many liturgies mid-week and fast periods... How do we realistically engage in blessed relationships without falling out of grace? Is the reality really that we can only engage in relations a few days a year?... I too would appreciate more clarification on the topic! It's not an 'obsession' to want to learn what is right. These videos are intended to be instructional, so it is natural that they raise questions we should think about whether or not we yet face this particular challenge.
Honestly, I would start with reading about a saint that really interests you. One that helped get me started was the Life of St Arsenios the Cappadocian
@living_orthodox Wow thank you for answering! I didn't think you would see this. I will keep being moderate like you say. I don't play games with violence or sexual things.
I'm a catholic, I go to mass daily, I take the eucharist daily, i go to confession weekly, I also practice asceticism, I read the daily saints, I pray the rosary and I also say the Jesus prayer throughout the day, I watch the lives of the saints of both Catholics and Orthodox saints, I fast 18 hours a day and eat 2 meals within 6 hours. I spread the Gospel on social media 4 hours a day while I watch apologetics and shows on saints. I live in a large city in the east coast in the USA, I'm working on my pride, I'm filled w ego and pride, I am full of anger and disdain, I'm working on becoming humble and meek but it's very tough, I pray to both catholic saints and orthodox saints to help me. May Christ have mercy on all of us ❤
@@MetasceticI'm already small o orthodox Catholic. I don't think Christ will send good Catholics to hell for a technicalities. Just like I don't think Christ will send good Orthodox to hell for not being Catholic. I don't think heaven is only reserved for Orthodox or only for Catholics. Christ has immense Mercy for his Children he's not as petty and angry as we make him to be. If you are truly repent of your sins, live the asceticism life, spread the Gospel, partake in the Eucharist and try to live as holy as possible as all the saints then Christ will allow us into heaven. The Eucharist is key. The Catholic Church also agrees that both the Eucharist of the Orthodox and Catholics are 100% valid. This whole division of Orthox vs Catholics is just another temptation of Satan trying to infiltrate us with pride and anger. Remember to LOVE THY NEIGHBOR. I love my Orthodox brothers as well as Catholic brothers. Even I pray for Michael Lofton even though I had fits of hatred for him in the past for supporting paragraph 31 of fiducia supplicans 😂 😂😂😂
Don't overthink it or look into things too deeply so that you possibly end up falsely believing that you are being given "a sign" or something along those lines. I'm not at all trying to discourage you from seeking the wisdom and intercession of St Gabriel, but the Fathers very clearly warn us that we can VERY easily deceive ourselves and give the devil rights if we are not watchful. We even hear from the Holy Fathers that we should reject all visions and signs because we ought not to think of ourselves as worthy of receiving such a blessing from God, and whether the sign is legitimately from God or not, He will honour our humility and give us His Grace still
Father, I am confused about something. How can someone who is Protestant their entire life receive Grace and Light from the Lord without ever coming to the true faith?
They don’t. They might receive mercy. But they don’t have the grace of the Holy Spirit. Rather they participate in the spirit of delusion and the devil is happy to deceive them with a counterfeit faith.
@@living_orthodox I am lucky to live in a time where I can discover Orthodox faith through the internet. What happens to those in the past who never knew of Orthodoxy?
I totally agree that having a clear faith is a pre condition for unity between church denominations. But calling people names or accusing them of heresy should be put aside and have an actual dialogue that is willing to understand differences in order to resolve these differences
Tell that to St Paul, the whole of the scriptures and the earth church fathers. This humanism you’re proposing is the path to deception. To come swinging that Gnostic ecclesiastical positioning here.
Another misuse of James 2:19. Seems many people don’t actually read that verse. “You believe there is one good you do well… even the demons believe and tremble. “ Yes demons believe in one God. They of course know God exists. They do not however, believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour by Grace through Faith.
Fr Moses McPherson would disagree with the exercise part, would love a discussion about this. I find it extremely ascetical and masculine personally, there is no "comfort" involved, to "not exercise" on purpose seems weird to me, especially as advice to a lazy, feminized generation of men without discipline and ability to defend their family
*To clarify, I am NOT against exercise or challenging exercise.*
The inability to listen closely to what is being said, and the selective listening that is following it rather astounding, and reveals once more, a problem with people reading into things with bias and passion. I never once said in this video to not exercise, or that exercising with regard to a persons profession is a bad thing. I explicitly condemned the obsession with exercise to the point of excessiveness, or for the sake of vanity. It’s troubling that many have struggled to listen close enough to not present a fallacious understanding of the content of this video. This channel remains focused on trying to help others navigate the Royal path while maintaining the right belief of our faith, and encouraging its viewers to push harder and dig deeper into the life in Christ.
I've been shocked sometimes, Father, with how violently people will misunderstand when we say anything that might imply that physical exercise is not in-and-of-itself an absolute good. I remember I once expressed disapproval that a certain priest overseas was participating in body-building competitions wherein he dressed immodestly, only for the other people in the thread to somehow extrapolate that I thought that clergy should never exercise! Even though I only commented on his clothing (or lack thereof)!
@@fr.georgegoodge979father I think this is only happening in America and countries like that
I think it's because it is very hard to renounce our vain glory when we grew up on that
So I think people try to justify anything that bothers their conscious
I exercise, but I only do it because I'm disabled and cannot work, so I'm physically inactive, but I admit that otherwise it's vainglorious and just filling us with proud thoughts..
A healthy man with an active job does not need exercise, especially if he has a family and other responsibilities, that is already very tiring
I also try not to look at the mirror, and try to wear long sleeve t-shirt
it's very hard to battle proud thoughts, making it harder doesn't help..
@@fr.georgegoodge979 Hello Father! Sadly, a large portion of Orthodox people online are inquirers who start going down the long rabbit hole of Orthobros / Jay Dyer. Instead of focusing on spirituality, they become extremely legalistic and treat non-dogmatic issues as if they are dogma. I'm sorry that you have experienced these things, Father George. My parish priest and I spoke about these things a while back, and he was frightened that 'Cyberdoxy' had been my initial exposure. I kindly explained to him that it had not, so thank our Lord and Savior! I am only 15 and a cradle Italian-Catholic, currently converting to Orthodoxy, so please pray for me as I pursue monasticism and the priesthood!
One last word from me on this topic. I think the misunderstanding is that obsession with anything in the Orthodox life is or should be obviously rejected so when topics stating the obvious come along they tend to be seen as implying more than they do. You’re dealing with people struggling to see themselves able to do most of these things at a sustainable level in their lives, Father. This life is hard, we are a weak generation, mangled by sin, we are always told how hard Salvation is to the point we almost lose hope. And then things pile on that we don’t see ourselves able to keep up even if we do abstain from the big ones. We can’t trust our feelings, our thoughts, anyone around, ourselves to be able to do anything, our fasting is weak, our prayer and Faith are weak, our good works are shoddy at best and pride is always showing itself around every corner. So then how can we keep the straight line easily, when it’s obvious we can’t, without falling into despair, which is in itself a sin? We just don’t have the spiritual experience to easily navigate. I’m in, but sometimes I do wonder how I can call myself a follower of Christ and what hope there is for someone like me… Please, forgive me if my inability to comprehend what you said from the beginning has upset you. I have great respect for your work here and I have benefited from it before and now.
I was quick to judge you, father, but then I gave another listen, and you said it well: If the exercise lacks prayer, it’s done for vanity. My apologies, and many years to you.
Father Mikahil, my heart and ego have grown too large and God has withdrawn His grace. Please keep me in your prayers that I can come out of this dark spell stronger and closer to God than ever before
Lord have mercy
I have been in this situation myself a few times. Please remember to do small things first and have a reason to get back on the right path Brother!
God’s grace is with you. Let your heart open to receive it. God be with you ❤
I appreciate the "matter-of-fact-ness", Father. Thanks, and God bless you.
God bless you Father. Thank you for your words. Please pray for the Light of Christ to shine through in my life and all who trust in Him 🙏🙏🙏
Father bless! Christ is Risen! I am writing on the leave-taking of Pascha. Thank you for this. Apparently you hit some hot buttons. May the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit grant you and your family protection and peace as you fight the good fight. 🙏☦️
Thank you so much, Father. This said so much, all good things are from God.
3rd time seeing this today I reckon I should watch it.
Thank you father! I really needed this video, and I think a video on these (indeed) hard sayings is so timely right now as I've seen a lot of dismay and even outrage regarding certain sayings online in recent days. It was also very useful to hear the 'baby steps' we can take to slowly reach these challenging goals, as I think what sparks a lot of the impulsively negative reactions towards these sayings is that we feel so far away from being able to realistically practice them in our own lives, so the despair gets converted wrongly to outward criticism and rejection (God forbid!) of the teachings from within our church. Towards this end, I think it is so helpful to give us the little things we can start to do to follow that difficult path, in the hopes of slowly gaining spiritual momentum to tackle the bigger ultimate goals of asceticism, such as prayer before eating, abstaining before holy communion, etc. Thank you so much for this video and for all the help this channel provides!
I got a suggestion for content. You answer the questions asked by these channels...they have live shows 6pm eastern time mon through Fridays, the channels are "ask a priest live" and the other channel is "Catholic answers". So you answer the questions that people ask from your orthodox perspective. This would be interesting
I’ll look into that! Thank you!
Completely agree this would be very useful!
Father bless🙏🏿 Christ has ascended! Thank you for another blessed video
A truly edifying video father, God bless you.
And pray Christ for us all.
Thank you Father☦️🙏
Father Mihael Thank you So Much for your work.
Thanks father, God bless. It really is hard to live a life in Christ (or to acquire that), but then it becomes easy and a real blessing. Glory to God, amen.
☦️☦️☦️
Father, I have a serious problem. When I my prayers, specifically morning, after I feel like they were not good enough, so I say them again, and I let my pride judge me, not god. Every morning I say the Jesus prayer 50 times and say repentance psalm 50. But I feel like I did not say them to get closer to God. Thoughts go on in my mind when I pray, and it is hard to get them out. So I say them again. Please help me, I don’t know what it means to get closer to God, it is confusing for me. I’m only 11 years old.
Oh, I hope Father Mikhail will see your message, but do not despair for this matter. Ask your Spiritual Father also, and have Faith that God does hear your prayers. God Bless!
Hello my son! First stop repeating the prayers. The key is to calm oneself before jumping into prayer so that the mind is more stilled. For most people, adults and children alike, this will be a struggle in the beginning, especially because we live in a time when everything is competing for our attention.
First, I would make sure to be reading the lives of saints, or listening to them before sleep. When you wake up, cross yourself before getting up and then try doing seven prostrations. Then focus on your icons and just remember that God is there with you. Then slowly begin your prayer and focus on each word and see how it applies to you. Make it yours.
@@living_orthodox thank you so much father, god bless☦️🙏
@@living_orthodox is tsar Nicholas II a good saint to read about? I have a book about him
@@Christian_orthosebI have only skimmed the surface of the life of Tsar Nicholas, but I have read deeply into the life of the Saint featured in this video: St. Gabriel of Georgia, who happens to be my patron Saint, and would highly recommend him.
Trisagion Films here on CZcams has an excellent hour plus long documentary on his life.
Also you may find inspiration in the life of St. Moses the black.
May the Lord bless you.
I will keep you and your struggle in my prayer rule 🙏
Thank you Father!
thanks
☦️ thank u hope ya doing well.
Father, you touched on something that has been a major issue for me recently, and that was the sexual acts we should not do with our spouse. I was used to performing sodomy with my wife, but ever since I have discovered Orthodoxy, I felt a need to bring this up to my wife several times, and tell her I don't want to do these things anymore. Ultimately she threatens divorce, which was very hurtful because I feel as if my whole marriage could have just been lust disguised as love. I don't know what to do, and have retracted what I told her several times. I feel as if I keep betraying the Lord, and I don't know what to do, because I have to do what is right. Theres a lot of nuance to this story, but I would greatly appreciate any advice on this matter.
Let’s set up a time to talk. fr.mikhail.baleka@gmail.com. She does need to realize that if that’s the one thing the marriage was hinging on, then that’s a weak love and a weak marriage as it was only based on personal pleasure. She needs to sit down with you and discuss the reasons why you and her got married and decide what’s more important.
@@living_orthodox Also, where and by who were they married (legal matters aside)? Is a marriage outside of Orthodoxy considered a "true" marriage? And what are the Church views on a partner who wants these things against the will of the other (I know only cheating is grounds for "acceptable" divorce). Thank you!
Love the Lord with all your heart
I actually find this video to be comforting. I’ve been listening a lot of ramblings from some of the Ancient Faith Radio website.Ive tried to leave comments but they delete them. It’s been very upsetting to me. This video is validating my beliefs
I’m just going to stop listening to them and pray the mercy prayer on us all
Thank you so much.
I was listening to this in the gym so I only did half of my sets 😂
Thank you father very helpful.
Disciplines are but Pebbles upon the Path of God's Truth, they are Not the Destination.
Thank you, Father Mikhail. Great suggestions at the end.
Thanks for posting father.
Also please talk about this subject more in longer video. I speak for myself when I say it takes a little bit to grasp some things. It's easier when simpler words are used. Lord have mercy on me a sinner.
Thanks again.
God bless ☦☦☦
Agreed! I think we need more videos on these hard sayings to clarify them, to help the despairing critics who might find them too strict or far-fetched, and to continue to enlighten and inspire us laypeople towards these holy goals.
Great advice. Thank you, Father Mikahil! I struggle with asceticism, esp. fasting.
I get that you shouldn’t exercise for aesthetics, but there’s a generous amount of jobs that require physical performance.
As a firefighter I can attest to this. We had a working house fire last shift and it reminded me of how it important it is for me to keep in a high level of fitness! I was exhausted!
it’s the orientation that matters.
Toward Christ, blessed; otherwise, not blessed.
Fr Mikhail did say “an unhealthy obsession,” not “a healthy respect for” physical fitness was problematic.
Good struggles!
The context through which the physical exercise is done is the important thing. Just don’t exercise for vanity’s sake, that’s all.
He really didn’t even imply that there is anything wrong with working out. It shouldn’t be obsessive or for vanity was about the extent of the critique.
Father, can we who do not reach the heights of Saints, even if we aim to reach them, have any hope of salvation?
I do not totally dispair (because dispair is never from God), but I have only a tiny amount of hope. Everything points towards eternal torments for me, my family and my friends.
God is merciful and I have seen his mercy and love while Alive, but I wish I had some reason for hope beyond this.
I would like to know the hard sayings but also learn of any evidence for hope (so long as it doesn't produce pride in me).
Sincerely, a sinner
Saints have reached a much higher level than salvation. Pride is a bad thing, stay away from it. Go to Church, pray and speak to a spiritual father NEAR you.
@@mr.google2680 I do go to Church and speak to my spiritual Father. I want to avoid Pride so maybe it is best for my own sake not to consider this issue too much.
God is merciful. Keep reading books from the saints and teachers and scripture. Don’t let your thoughts spiral in these ways, and pray for God to show you how He sees you and others. I struggle with the same thing. We can’t judge ourselves imagining that’s how God sees us. His judgment is much different from ours.
I share happily in the good truths the Greek Orthodox have in their beleifs yet for all that they condemn us (Coptic Orthodox) as heretics when in fact this is false but a sister church which ought to be working together. To fuss over a few words whether correctly understood or not ought not be the subject of church division unless of coures this relates to a salvation issue, which it does not. Its one thing to say to walk in love and grace but another to actually do it. I wish the Greeks blessings and good grace in their faith. Yes, the end of the world is predicted to be at the end of the 6th Day coming very soon....
We're not all Greek Orthodox in the Holy Orthodox Church. There's Russian, Serbian, Bulgarian, Romanian, Georgian, Antiochian, OCA, etc. too. But we all share all doctrines, dogmas and beliefs, having one Faith. That isn't true of the Oriental communion. As well there are other things which separate putting aside Dyophisitism vs. Miaphysitism.
And one more thing about marital relations (I'm not even married but interested). No marital relation before Divine Liturgy. If you go on Wednesday morning, Friday morning and Sunday morning, Wednesday and Friday being fasting days, that means that only Monday is left for such things. Then there is the question about other appropriate times for relations, and you might end up (if you're also not ready to have a child possibly after every time) having the window open for a couple of time a year or something like that. Which is ridiculous. It's easier to be celibate at that point and refrain from anything.
You seem to be struggling with listening closely and assuming a lot of things. Take time to assess this.
@@living_orthodox Yes, I am struggling. That is why I ask these things... I have listened to many Orthodox sources on marriage and I am unsure, so I ask because there is controversy (maybe false) between the ways marriage in the Orthodox Church is seen sometimes. Some Early Church Fathers make it seem like the bodily connection is just a result of the fall and that anything except for the creation of children is out of order. Then there is St. John Chrisostom who says that marriage is not only for procreation but also for the bonding and strengthening of the two and also to approach each other without the express desire to procreate and for it to be blessed and not a sin. And then there is the action of "planning" against the possibility of a child through the use of the calendar or by other physical contraceptive means that don't use pills, surgery or condoms. It's condemned it seems and so if a woman gets pregnant every time, then you have about a year of no relations and if that happens every year, you come to the once or twice a year I have mentioned before. And at that point, it seems harder to abstain from relation with a woman by your side than to just be alone. Where is the balance? That's what I want to know. What is certainly acceptable and what is not. If we are always on the verge of death, shouldn't these things be clear? Please forgive me if i’ve irked you in any way, I greatly appreciate your work here.
First, you seem obsessed with this issue. I wonder why? As a married woman and Orthodox I can say that you should leave this question and wait until He mercifully gives you a spouse. At the time that you need this information, God will provide it through your pre-marital counseling with your priest. My husband and I have been blessedly married for nearly 50 years. We have learned there is moderation in everything, as Fr. Michael is indicating here in this video.
@@s.d.berquist6866 ok, I’m obsessed now. Is it that weird to want to know how to approach something like one of the two, maybe three ways of life for an Orthodox Christian? Is it an obsession to want to know how a couple should think of and act upon such issues, which are obviously one of the main reasons for marriage? Moderation is expected but concrete ways of not going to hell as a couple don’t seem so clear in this sense, except for the obvious abstaining in fasts, etc. I am already 30, having been Orthodox for only a couple of years. If I’m not deciding quite quickly which way to go, I’m out of this loop. And if I don’t know which is best for me and what I can do as a husband to at least try to make a marriage work, then what’s the point? Make it a mess for the both of us? It’s not practical. Can I be a good father to 3-4 kids at the age of 45? I don’t know anymore…
@@s.d.berquist6866 As an orthodox woman myself who is not yet married, I think these questions are valid, and it's not wrong to be troubled or challenged by some of these 'hard sayings', even while we strive to keep deferring to authority within the church while praying and learning more about them. It is not right to pass a judgment on a stranger for asking a question. I understand where he his coming from. It's a question as to what is a reasonable, realistic allowance for marital relations if there are about 200 feast days a year and many liturgies mid-week and fast periods... How do we realistically engage in blessed relationships without falling out of grace? Is the reality really that we can only engage in relations a few days a year?... I too would appreciate more clarification on the topic! It's not an 'obsession' to want to learn what is right. These videos are intended to be instructional, so it is natural that they raise questions we should think about whether or not we yet face this particular challenge.
When you talk about reading the lives of the saints, do you have a particular book in mind to accommodate this?
Honestly, I would start with reading about a saint that really interests you. One that helped get me started was the Life of St Arsenios the Cappadocian
Can i play video games? I only play an hour every now and then or should I just do away with them?
Just keep being moderate
@living_orthodox Wow thank you for answering! I didn't think you would see this. I will keep being moderate like you say. I don't play games with violence or sexual things.
What Saint are you reading/quoting from ?
I'm a catholic, I go to mass daily, I take the eucharist daily, i go to confession weekly, I also practice asceticism, I read the daily saints, I pray the rosary and I also say the Jesus prayer throughout the day, I watch the lives of the saints of both Catholics and Orthodox saints, I fast 18 hours a day and eat 2 meals within 6 hours.
I spread the Gospel on social media 4 hours a day while I watch apologetics and shows on saints. I live in a large city in the east coast in the USA, I'm working on my pride, I'm filled w ego and pride, I am full of anger and disdain, I'm working on becoming humble and meek but it's very tough, I pray to both catholic saints and orthodox saints to help me. May Christ have mercy on all of us ❤
GOD BLESS YOU BROTHER☦️
Good struggle!
Become orthodox
A psych trick to defeating pride: start fewer sentences with "I".
@@MetasceticI'm already small o orthodox Catholic. I don't think Christ will send good Catholics to hell for a technicalities. Just like I don't think Christ will send good Orthodox to hell for not being Catholic. I don't think heaven is only reserved for Orthodox or only for Catholics. Christ has immense Mercy for his Children he's not as petty and angry as we make him to be. If you are truly repent of your sins, live the asceticism life, spread the Gospel, partake in the Eucharist and try to live as holy as possible as all the saints then Christ will allow us into heaven. The Eucharist is key. The Catholic Church also agrees that both the Eucharist of the Orthodox and Catholics are 100% valid.
This whole division of Orthox vs Catholics is just another temptation of Satan trying to infiltrate us with pride and anger. Remember to LOVE THY NEIGHBOR. I love my Orthodox brothers as well as Catholic brothers. Even I pray for Michael Lofton even though I had fits of hatred for him in the past for supporting paragraph 31 of fiducia supplicans 😂 😂😂😂
I don’t think its a coincidence that I keep seeing St Gabriel pop up on my screen. I’d like some opinions?
Don't overthink it or look into things too deeply so that you possibly end up falsely believing that you are being given "a sign" or something along those lines. I'm not at all trying to discourage you from seeking the wisdom and intercession of St Gabriel, but the Fathers very clearly warn us that we can VERY easily deceive ourselves and give the devil rights if we are not watchful. We even hear from the Holy Fathers that we should reject all visions and signs because we ought not to think of ourselves as worthy of receiving such a blessing from God, and whether the sign is legitimately from God or not, He will honour our humility and give us His Grace still
@@UnworthySeraphim thank you
Father, I am confused about something. How can someone who is Protestant their entire life receive Grace and Light from the Lord without ever coming to the true faith?
They don’t. They might receive mercy. But they don’t have the grace of the Holy Spirit. Rather they participate in the spirit of delusion and the devil is happy to deceive them with a counterfeit faith.
@@living_orthodox I am lucky to live in a time where I can discover Orthodox faith through the internet. What happens to those in the past who never knew of Orthodoxy?
I totally agree that having a clear faith is a pre condition for unity between church denominations. But calling people names or accusing them of heresy should be put aside and have an actual dialogue that is willing to understand differences in order to resolve these differences
Tell that to St Paul, the whole of the scriptures and the earth church fathers. This humanism you’re proposing is the path to deception. To come swinging that Gnostic ecclesiastical positioning here.
Another misuse of James 2:19. Seems many people don’t actually read that verse. “You believe there is one good you do well… even the demons believe and tremble. “
Yes demons believe in one God. They of course know God exists. They do not however, believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour by Grace through Faith.
It’s not a “name it and claim it insurance plan”. Christianity isn’t a faith of mental ascents. The whole of Protestantism misuses the entire Bible.
Fr Moses McPherson would disagree with the exercise part, would love a discussion about this. I find it extremely ascetical and masculine personally, there is no "comfort" involved, to "not exercise" on purpose seems weird to me, especially as advice to a lazy, feminized generation of men without discipline and ability to defend their family
So again, selective listening is the problem. I never condemned exercise. I condemned obsession with the body.
I agree with Fr. Mikhail, I worked out so much that I started having more pride in my body than faith in God. Work out for health and not looks.