Warning for New Converts to Orthodox Christianity

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  • čas přidán 7. 07. 2024
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Komentáře • 254

  • @RealDavidN
    @RealDavidN Před 20 dny +209

    I've heard "There is Orthodoxy on the Internet, but there is no such thing as Internet Orthodoxy".

    • @argentiskyblau159
      @argentiskyblau159 Před 20 dny +11

      You’ve never heard of the internet fathers?

    • @GardenofNoah
      @GardenofNoah Před 19 dny +4

      I like that

    • @birdlynn417
      @birdlynn417 Před 19 dny +14

      It helps, nonetheless. Some people are alone and don't have transportation to church, and internet Orthodoxy or any of the services or teachings extends themselves to awakening the spirit and reaching the heart, mind, and soul too.

    • @kemptonbryan
      @kemptonbryan Před 19 dny +3

      There is 100% Internet orthodoxy

    • @firstnamelastname2197
      @firstnamelastname2197 Před 19 dny

      @@kemptonbryani dont think you understood

  • @wauliepalnuts6134
    @wauliepalnuts6134 Před 20 dny +79

    2:07 "I've learned over time that just getting more things doesn't help my faith one bit."
    Powerful statement.

  • @tbnrcreator.official
    @tbnrcreator.official Před 20 dny +59

    All inquirers or catechumens etc remember this: Real Orthodoxy isn't edits or phonk or any of that sort of stuff you see online. It's not a label or an aesthetic. It's a way of life, a religion and a struggle. You only see that in person and not through a screen. ☦

  • @DiMacky24
    @DiMacky24 Před 20 dny +131

    New converts, I promise you, icons, prayerbooks, holywater flasks, saintly writings etc will all come to you from other parishioners over the years. Don't get anything for yourself, the chur h will provide and you in turn will provide for others. Focus on living in your parish and taking Orthodoxy day by day. It's an endurance race, not a sprint. I say this all as a young convert myself.

    • @stevemcgee99
      @stevemcgee99 Před 20 dny +7

      “Focus on living in your parish” ~ great way to put it.

    • @clumsydrummer7914
      @clumsydrummer7914 Před 19 dny +2

      What a great perspective! I have the tendency to jump right in with anything I become involved with, usually too boldly or at a surface level.

    • @SoggyMonster
      @SoggyMonster Před 19 dny +7

      Your comment really struck me, simply on the basis of how simple and true it is. I have yet to actually purchase anything Orthodox-related (aside from a prayer book), but my parish has given me all that I feel that I need. I started out with no icons whatsoever, but our yiayia gave me 2, of the Theotokos and of St. Ignatius of Antioch. I ended up giving away the icon of the Theotokos to a fellow parishioner, because she was going through a hard time. That very next day, a parishioner gave me 2 more icons: one of our Lord and another of His Mother, replacing my previous Theotokos icon.
      A small example of how small things will grow over time.

    • @flemishgiantrabbitlove2869
      @flemishgiantrabbitlove2869 Před 19 dny +3

      I struggle finding a church near me in northern Indiana although I do have a brother in orthodoxy

    • @Orthodoxling
      @Orthodoxling Před 16 dny +6

      As someone whose mind converted to that of Eastern Orthodoxy, here is my predicament: Not able to get prayer ropes, books of any saints, let alone any prayer books or icons. I don't have full autonomy, and my parents are protestant. So I can't go to any nearby Eastern Orthdooxy Churches. But I think God let me go through this, so my faith can become even stronger once I head to a church.

  • @wv9459
    @wv9459 Před 20 dny +73

    This priest has been smacking me in the face with wisdom lately.. thank you so much

    • @dod6031
      @dod6031 Před 19 dny

      @@wv9459 have you watched his interviews he did with Matt Whitman from ten minute Bible hour? If not I’d recommend them, it’s how I was introduced to Fr. Paul.

    • @henok.l4202
      @henok.l4202 Před 16 dny +4

      Right😅

  • @JoelFuhrmann
    @JoelFuhrmann Před 20 dny +76

    I’ve been Orthodox for almost five years. When I was new in the Church, I did buy a lot of books, mostly aimed to new-comers, but fortunately have a spiritual father who put great emphasis on prayer and scripture reading. So I wrote a personal “mission statement” to remind me of my primary task, the first thing to do each day :
    “Pray first - nothing else matters”
    Do have to confess I’ve struggled with this at times - transitioning from a school-based work schedule to a lighter summer schedule gave lots of opportunity to sleep later and put off prayer, causing me to struggle with controlling thoughts and passions, but nevertheless that’s the goal
    “Pray first - nothing else matters”

    • @briankristensen349
      @briankristensen349 Před 18 dny +3

      For someone who have no OC, an still only following OC on youtube, i have learned to pray morning and evening and it is changing me.
      I only have Lutheran Church and friends there.
      God bless OC for teaching us to Know Him.

  • @Shadowbanned4Lyfe
    @Shadowbanned4Lyfe Před 20 dny +31

    When I first went to visit my local Orthodox Church a month ago two things were made abundantly clear to me. That nothing in Orthodoxy is fast. And to not get stuck in internet Orthodoxy.

  • @laurahildebrand7023
    @laurahildebrand7023 Před 20 dny +52

    Yes, thankful that my godparents and friends from our parish warned of us this and gave us steps on how to avoid the consumerism. Take breaks, read books that build your faith, really focus on the prayers and learn your prayer rule, don’t have one, talk with your spiritual father. Write down questions and ask them, cultivate your nous in prayer, fasting and living in your parish. Books are great but living Orthodoxy is more important. Read the scriptures, slow down, and remember that icons aren’t an aesthetic or decorations, but windows into heaven.

  • @jarrettmiller8754
    @jarrettmiller8754 Před 20 dny +27

    I spent the first 14-16 months of my conversion simply reading one source.
    And those books helped change me in dramatic ways.
    Those were the Spiritual Counsels of St. Paisios.
    Some at our parish even started to joke (lovingly) about how often I would reference his writings during devotions groups / Bible studies.
    But rather than try to read many different things, I chose to learn from one source with whom I deeply connected.

  • @seeker2219
    @seeker2219 Před 20 dny +43

    This is a perfect example of Orthodoxy wrapping you in enormous wisdom.
    Be still, and know that God is God.
    And while you are still, let the church surround you.

    • @murrayphillipson4830
      @murrayphillipson4830 Před 18 dny

      More indoctrination!

    • @seeker2219
      @seeker2219 Před 18 dny

      @@murrayphillipson4830 Yes, i see you are very inspirational and wise.
      Your 12-60years on earth are nothing compared to the churches 2000 years, and countless humans collective wisdom and experience.
      Nor do you have ANY idea what i know, experienced or whatever else has brought me here.
      So you have to excuse me, but your worldly wisdom you have showed here do not impress me in the slightest.
      Everything i´v ever experienced through life has brought me more wisdom then your message.. and i include isects and drops of water.
      Modern humans intellectual regression is fierce, i know.
      But plz become better.

  • @Patrichor777
    @Patrichor777 Před 20 dny +40

    The consumerism part is very important!

    • @GardenofNoah
      @GardenofNoah Před 19 dny

      Truthfully I believe this is definitely the biggest problem with new believers. It becomes way too chaotic and people lose focus of prayer and reading scripture. I’m a new Eastern Orthodox brother after coming to Christ 3 years ago in a Protestant church, but nobody even knows what a Protestant is because the church doesn’t disciple people and teach them the important things. I’m grateful I’m home now ❤️☦️🙏🏼

  • @jupiterrising887
    @jupiterrising887 Před 19 dny +13

    New Convert: “I’m so excited to join Holy Orthodoxy, I’m going to learn everything I can!”
    Fr. Paul Trubenbach: “And I took that personally.”

  • @GardenofNoah
    @GardenofNoah Před 19 dny +42

    I’m a new brother of the Eastern Orthodox Church after being deceived by the Protestant movement for the first 3 years of my walk with Christ. I’m so grateful to know the truth, learn about the church’s history, and being connected to the teachings that date back to the disciples!☺️❤️ I’ve never known the Lord Jesus as much as I do now and that is thanks to the Eastern Orthodox Church. My soul finally feels like it can rest because the Holy Spirit had been telling me these modern churches were wrong but I would be told I don’t have a say because I’m too young of a Christian and I don’t know the Holy Spirit like they do yet, and I also never even heard any teachings about the Eastern Orthodox church at all before 3 weeks ago so I was confused. Please pray for those being deceived by the Protestant and charismatic movement!! There’s too many of our brothers and sisters being deceived horribly!💔

    • @tinakarras7571
      @tinakarras7571 Před 19 dny +2

      How are they deceived?

    • @GardenofNoah
      @GardenofNoah Před 19 dny +16

      @@tinakarras7571 Everything I’m about to say, I say with love and genuine concern: 1. There is no discipleship, there is no consistent structure. “Just let the spirit flow” they say. Leading vulnerable people in some sort of made up prayer to give their life to Jesus but then they don’t disciple them nor equip them with the necessary tools to truly walk with Christ. New believers don’t even understand the spiritual gifts but they idolize them and it distracts them from their prayer life and time in the word of God.
      2. The spirit of self righteousness runs a muck in these churches. It has become a show. A motivational and charismatic theater. It is more a popularity contest and a competition of who actually has the gift of tongues and who doesn’t. A competition of truly has the Holy Spirit and who doesn’t. A competition of who can memorize the most scripture and sound the best when speaking it. It’s all about how many people you can make “feel good” rather than being about Jesus Christ.
      3. These churches try to blend the secular lifestyle with the Christian lifestyle and it waters down the true gospel of Jesus Christ and this has led new and young believers to believe they can have it both ways and this is not so. They have adopted a new Jesus Christ who fits their comfort and convenience and they have abandoned the true Jesus Christ.
      4. Nobody in these Protestant churches even know that they’re a Protestant! They don’t even know any history about the church. They take communion when they “feel the Holy Spirit” tell them to and that’s a handful of times a year and that is absurd now that I know better. Completely disregarding and disrespecting the heaviness that the Holy Eucharist holds and represents.
      5. These churches teach you that you should see every obstacle or hardship as a demon and that you should rebuke that demon because you have that authority and they’re afraid of you. They teach you that you should just walk into the battlefield without even going to boot camp or receiving your armor and weapons yet. This is absolute madness. We are not called to be demon slayers. Although some do receive the gift of deliverance, there is a heavy responsibility and safety risk that comes with that gift and it should NOT be taught with the lack of care it is being taught with.
      6. These churches have conformed to the world and its’ inhabitants because if they don’t, their seats will become empty and they won’t have enough money to support their giant LED screens, their expensive light shows, the pastor’s private jet, the pastor’s wife’s Ferrari, or their mansion. What happened to teaching people how to repent and live a modest lifestyle?
      There are many different things I could say, but these are just a few.

    • @dod6031
      @dod6031 Před 19 dny +1

      ⁠​⁠@@GardenofNoahPretty heavy generalisations of Protestantism here mostly based off mega churches, the non denominational movement and Pentecostalism used to describe all Protestants…

    • @GardenofNoah
      @GardenofNoah Před 19 dny

      @@dod6031 well I’m speaking from my own experience so do with it as you’d like. I’m not speaking for all churches. But I’ll say 99/100 of these churches fall into this category and I’m honestly not sorry for telling the truth. The proof is in the pudding. If I walk into a church that has the most expensive sound system, LED screens, and everybody is speaking gibberish but calling it tongues, I’m walking straight out. These churches don’t have the Holy Spirit, they have the kundalini spirit. Any church that doesn’t have structure is ran by the congregation and that brings chaos. Protestants hate structure and anything to do with tradition but that mindset is fueled by the same spirit of the pope who wanted his own power, the same spirit that prevents a woman from submitting to her husband, and the same spirit that prevents believers from surrendering their will entirely, and the same spirit that prevents believers from repenting. It’s disobedience and this disobedience is encouraged by others that are disobedient because Protestants want to be in control so they don’t have to be held accountable by anybody. Do not tell me anything about tongues, either. That’s not tongues. Read the book of Acts. That’s how tongues works. Tongues isn’t speaking absolute gibberish in front of the whole congregation WITH new believers without an interpreter!!!! Disobedience at its finest. Need I say more?

    • @GardenofNoah
      @GardenofNoah Před 19 dny +7

      @@dod6031 I don’t speak for all Protestant churches, only from my own experience at a few “non denominational, Pentecostal, baptist” churches. If the shoe doesn’t fit, I’m not talking about you or your church then my beloved one. I can’t speak for every church. I only express my feelings of my personal experience, I understand I know nothing of your church. But one thing that’s true is if members of your church are speaking in tongues, falling out on the floor, and putting on a whole show, then your church falls into this category. If not, then it doesn’t fall into this category. The biggest and most ignorant deception of all, is telling a new believer that they don’t have the Holy Spirit because they can’t speak in tongues or because they didn’t choose to fall out on the ground when the pastor shoved their head as much as possible to make it look like he has some kinda power that he doesn’t. This CANNOT BE SO! Nobody can gate-keep the Holy Spirit and then shame a new believer for not choosing to be a blind fool like them. That’s hypocrisy, pride, and much more. The churches have taken their focus off of Jesus and have idolized everything else at church and even the spiritual gifts. All you gotta do is read the scripture. If the church is doing something that scripture doesn’t support, I’m NOT doing it. And there’s nothing a pastor or ANYBODY could tell me to convince me they know better than scripture. No. Absolutely not.

  • @RobertOrthodox
    @RobertOrthodox Před 19 dny +14

    As a catechumen in the Orthodox Church, my advice to my fellow brothers and sisters is to stick to the essentials; Attend liturgy, read, pray and fast. Don’t spend so much time on the internet going down the rabbit hole.

    • @cathywithac3793
      @cathywithac3793 Před 13 dny

      That's sound advice for cradle Orthodox Christians too.

  • @IosuamacaMhadaidh
    @IosuamacaMhadaidh Před 20 dny +9

    Getting to a church for the community is of utmost importance.

  • @valvallll
    @valvallll Před 20 dny +13

    I prayed for this confirmation and guidance literally last night. Thank you.

    • @murrayphillipson4830
      @murrayphillipson4830 Před 18 dny

      Praying= self deception. Try not lying to yourself.

    • @valvallll
      @valvallll Před 18 dny

      @@murrayphillipson4830 you don't know what you're saying. Keep on searching and learning.

  • @CalebTheSojourner
    @CalebTheSojourner Před 20 dny +11

    I call dibs on making that section into a short! 😂
    Thank you so much Godbless, I absolutely am guilty of this.
    I am a protestant and have been diving into the Orthodox Church, studying and seek answers over 2 years, it has blessed me so much.
    But the idea of being distracted by the learning and consumption is definitely true.

  • @harveygosal
    @harveygosal Před 20 dny +13

    Thank you so much Father Paul!
    May God bless you.
    This is so true. I've learned this the hard way.
    Used to read 3 Bible Chapters a day with the study portions. Being able quote verses... I began to think I knew it all...
    The passion of pride sprung forth.
    Great advice: living out the faith is so important. That's what I'm working on.
    And more prayer. Currently a Catechumen so this really helps and speaks to me!
    Glory to God for everything

  • @hwahwa2008
    @hwahwa2008 Před 20 dny +13

    Maybe it's something like:
    When a person sees a video he likes on YT, he puts it in his favorites, and then there are more and more things in his favorites, but in fact, he may not even finish watching a single video.
    It is so easy to get information nowadays, but it is difficult to really quiet down your mind and focus on one thing.
    Even in today's environment, such as the workplace, bosses hope that employees can do N kinds of things at the same time.
    Focusing on just one thing is sometimes foolish in the eyes of others.
    Perhaps this is one of the reasons why it is common for people nowadays to suffer from anxiety and various mental problems.

  • @sooperdt
    @sooperdt Před 20 dny +21

    Definitely adding this video to my watchlist!

  • @adeporter3999
    @adeporter3999 Před 20 dny +6

    'spend time in the desert or your heart' beautiful

  • @LCx829
    @LCx829 Před 15 dny +3

    As a born orthodox. Go to church,support your community. You don’t need books but the church needs support.

  • @leslielousma7913
    @leslielousma7913 Před 20 dny +7

    I’ve been studying on my own for well over a year. I’m hoping there’s an Orthodox Church where we’re moving.

    • @OrthodoxMidwife
      @OrthodoxMidwife Před 19 dny +1

      There’s a map of Orthodox Church linked in Orthodox Kyle’s videos and profile. You can see if there’s a church where you’re living. God bless ☦️

    • @leslielousma7913
      @leslielousma7913 Před 18 dny

      @@OrthodoxMidwife 😊

  • @amyknapp6275
    @amyknapp6275 Před 16 dny +2

    This is so good and timely. Thank you. I have been in the Protestant belief for 31 years. After never feeling satisfied and not getting my questions answered, I started studying church history. This has led me to understanding the Eucharist, and (finally) clarity on the book of Revelation, among many other "wow" moments. I have been studying and attending both Catholic and Orthodox Mass. I have been excited, yet overwhelmed at all I am discovering. Getting in my prayer closet is key for me.

  • @Gibbstronic
    @Gibbstronic Před 19 dny +3

    I'm loving all the content from Father Paul. He seems very real and down to earth. When I first learned about the faith and I became a catechumen, I would watch and listen to anything and everything Orthodox I could get my hands on. I had to learn and am still learning how to throttle that back now that I've been in the Church for 2 years. I would say, if you really want to learn the faith, pay attention to the old ladies, the yiayias and babushkas. Their faith is so genuine, you can't go wrong following their example.

  • @K.Premislia
    @K.Premislia Před 20 dny +9

    There are no accidents, huh? Today is 1st day of my fasting to get prepared to my confession and Communion (Roman Catholic to Orthodoxy conversion) this Friday. And I just caught myself that, „hey, you remember those books your Father gave to you? Do you even remember them?” I have 10 or so books, that I already had idea that I will re-read them again, make proper notes from them etc., to properly input them into my life - as I took in the beginning more approach of „intellectually getting know orthodoxy” as a priority (but not abandoning the changing of way of being too, of course! I just decided to go top-down way). But the thing is, I believe I don't even remember 10% of what I read? Like, it's much lesser than I thought it should be… And it shows me, despite that I was aware that „first readings will be shallow, I'm just getting familiar with Orthodoxy and later with that gained knowledge I will work on myself”, I realized that I indeed fell into this pitfall! Because like, when it will be the moment that, „hey, re-read them!”?
    And here only attitude of my spiritual Father gets so much bright. I asked him once that I'm reading those books, I'm understanding Orthodoxy more, but on the other hand I don't know any Orthodox customs (like what an Orthodox should at home etc.). And he said: „You don't need customs. You don't even need those commandments like humility etc. You only need love to others, because from love the other virtues (like humility) come.” Such simple

    • @JohnAlbinus
      @JohnAlbinus Před 20 dny +5

      Beautiful! Congrats on being received into the Church - my wife and I are currently inquirers coming from the Catholic TLM community. Orthodoxy has been such a blessing for us!

    • @marieegypt7091
      @marieegypt7091 Před 19 dny +4

      ​@@JohnAlbinusCongratulations! I was a Roman Catholic nun in 2 different orders but has to leave due to health issues. I have been Orthodox for almost 20 years and never looked back. All glory to God.

  • @Adam_Wilde
    @Adam_Wilde Před 20 dny +2

    ‭1 Corinthians 8:1b
    "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up."

  • @orthodox_kolya
    @orthodox_kolya Před 19 dny +6

    About 2 weeks ago, I finally decided to attend the liturgy for the first time and I was in awe. For the first time I could actually feel God's presence.. But around the 1 hour mark my vision went completely black and I was losing control of my body, I would've fainted if it were not for some gentleman who led me out of the church and made me sit down on the pavement. Now I'm too ashamed to show myself there again- There are a few chairs so I could just sit, but seeing even the grandmas stand for the entire liturgy while I must be sitting down makes me so ashamed of myself.

    • @mr.mustacheninja4809
      @mr.mustacheninja4809 Před 18 dny +4

      In the Army we were taught to keep the knees ever so slightly bent when standing still for long periods of time. Make sure you don't lock your knees that can cause you to feint by cutting blood supply

    • @orthodox_kolya
      @orthodox_kolya Před 18 dny

      @@mr.mustacheninja4809 Thank you for the advice, God bless you sir

    • @vera.evropa
      @vera.evropa Před 17 dny +3

      Don't compare the ability of your body to that of others. There is no shame in sitting when you can't stand anymore. Nobody at that church will judge you, don't worry.

    • @OrthoUnknown
      @OrthoUnknown Před 10 dny +1

      Sit if you need to sit, move around if you need to move around. Nobody will care and if they do they're doing the exact opposite of focusing on their worship. In my parish we have a number of toddlers and they have a tendency to be active. It's all okay.

    • @OrthoUnknown
      @OrthoUnknown Před 10 dny +1

      Sit if you need to sit, move around if you need to move around. Nobody will care and if they do they're doing the exact opposite of focusing on their worship. In my parish we have a number of toddlers and they have a tendency to be active. It's all okay.

  • @dansedevie123
    @dansedevie123 Před 20 dny +5

    I'm not Orthodox nor am I a convert but this was a good reminder for me too

    • @mariasalta1212
      @mariasalta1212 Před 16 dny +3

      Perhaps this is your sign to go to your nearest Orthodox Church.

  • @spectralflapjack
    @spectralflapjack Před 15 hodinami

    I made the foolish mistake of buying the complete Philokalia when I first decided I was going to become Orthodox.
    It's still gathering dust on my bookshelf, and the more I grow into the Faith, the more I realize it may simply continue to gather dust. Got a good chuckle out of my priest when I told him!

  • @kathyw7303
    @kathyw7303 Před 20 dny

    Thank you Father! Wonderful wisdom you have bestowed. Gotta go now. Off to pray !

  • @chrisalan11rus
    @chrisalan11rus Před 19 dny

    Whoa 😮 this was so timely for me. Thank you Holy Spirit for this guidance

  • @julz.c
    @julz.c Před 19 dny +1

    Amen! That's what I've come to realize recently! I've been binge watching different orthodox themed videos, but not as much praying, and found out that it's more tiring and wearing me out. But when I started praying more instead, God was answering my questions through reading the Bible and just by thoughts appearing in my heart when praying much better that I would have ever found the answer anywhere.

  • @yuliavorobyeva3946
    @yuliavorobyeva3946 Před 17 dny

    Thank you so much. It is a really good reminder to spend as much time on prayer as we spend on consuming information and, by the way, on food. Prayer is the food to support our soul and spirit.

  • @gingervincent1969
    @gingervincent1969 Před 16 dny

    Amen! We are newly baptized a year ago. My biggest struggle is prayer. I can study and speak, but it is hard for me to settle myself and pray. Thank you for reminding me.

  • @TimRidleyArt
    @TimRidleyArt Před 20 dny

    Fr Paul, it was great meeting you (briefly) at PLC. Don't worry, I'll balance my prayer with the e-book you shared with me.

  • @dawnpakaski685
    @dawnpakaski685 Před 20 dny

    Thank you so much for this video. It was simply and beautifully said. I personally think about how and when etc I should do different things but daily prayer and spending time in the presence of God will take care of all the rest of the questions about our faith and anything else I made need.

  • @Nythingelse
    @Nythingelse Před 19 dny +3

    I’m a testament to everything he is saying. I went really hard into orthodoxy (semi consistent prayer, going to church multiple times a week, reading up on orthodoxy) and when the novelty ran up and I realized the mountian i had to climb I fell out hard. I still haven’t been to liturgy in months. This is good advice

  • @Carmen.2001
    @Carmen.2001 Před 20 dny

    This was so well said because I realized that, as a current catechuman, I do that spiritual consumerism every now and then. Learn from your spiritual fathers and listen to their guidance. I’ve yet to have one, but I’m glad to have listened to this video

  • @Music-Visually
    @Music-Visually Před 13 dny

    Father you are so right on this. Thank you 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

  • @hard.aground
    @hard.aground Před 20 dny

    Perfectly timed. I plan to start Catechism on Aug 12th. Thank for the insights

  • @freeezaohohoho8788
    @freeezaohohoho8788 Před 20 dny +1

    This really described my Situation. I am looking for knowledge, Listening and Reading about christianity, but something is missing. I don’t put much into practise. Thank you father Truebenbach! God bless you and your Family! God bless us all. Amen

  • @AaronWeinzierl
    @AaronWeinzierl Před 11 dny

    This was a great word for me. I’m new to orthodoxy as a protestant and I love this. I do find myself learning more than I am actually living it. The Jesus Prayer has become my best friend!!

  • @lindaphillips4646
    @lindaphillips4646 Před 20 dny

    Thank you. I recognize much of that in myself in the past..
    The good thing about all of that is that we have/had a rather good library of books to read in due time as we could/can..
    In looking back on it, i did read several 'helping converts' books, but, besides the OSB, i read the PROLOGUE OF OHRID everyday, and, without realizing it, i got the mind and the heart and the teachings of the Church as well as important stories of the saints to hold on to and remember.
    St. Nicholai Velimirovich [of ZICHA] has become one of the saints very dear to me because of that..

  • @_derjohnny_
    @_derjohnny_ Před 13 dny

    Amen! Thank you i am an soon to be catchesim student and you help me alot!☦

  • @meganinalaska
    @meganinalaska Před 18 dny

    I recently subscribed to the channel and I am loving it. I have always believed in God but fell away for the past few years and was just living my life and putting God on the backburner. Last summer I started to get a major pull from God to get back into the word and to grow my relationship with him. I started going to church again but as time has been going on I have been finding that I am now getting a pull to explore the Orthodox church. I currently go to a non-denominational church and while it is great, I am just wanting more deep roots. I am wanting something that is less concert like in worship, and just more traditional. There is just something that seems so beautiful and genuine from the Orthodox church, from what I have been seeing and reading online. I still need to visit one but I am hoping I can find the truth and follow God daily like I should.

  • @Mick116
    @Mick116 Před 20 dny

    Thank you, Father. I needed to hear this today. 🙏

  • @specialcombatdefensivetact1784

    Thank you, Fr., I needed to hear that!

  • @alinaelenaiov6027
    @alinaelenaiov6027 Před 19 dny +1

    Ajungeți și la inimile celor din alte colțuri ale lumii. Se împlinește cuvântul mântuitorului!

  • @kathleenwindasgoodwin9165

    Thank you, Fr. I really needed to hear this today.

  • @areyoutheregoditsmedave
    @areyoutheregoditsmedave Před 20 dny +1

    it takes a long time to begin to see Orthodoxy for what it is. and as Americans, our instincts are to consume and put it in as a personality rather than the difficult work of crucifixion. i was and am guilty of this too.

  • @kik4jc
    @kik4jc Před 18 dny

    A message that I needed to hear right now 🙏🏽 Amen

  • @smccusker22
    @smccusker22 Před 19 dny

    This man is hitting the nail on the head lately. So grateful for you father 🙏

  • @Crazy4JesusNCats
    @Crazy4JesusNCats Před 20 dny

    I needed this. Thanks.❤

  • @laurencescrenci1460
    @laurencescrenci1460 Před 15 dny

    Thank you Father I needed this

  • @timotheeeful
    @timotheeeful Před 19 dny

    I needed to hear this. Thank you for your wisdom.

    • @murrayphillipson4830
      @murrayphillipson4830 Před 18 dny

      There’s no wisdom here, it’s just more indoctrination and self deception. Very sad!

  • @nickkane9441
    @nickkane9441 Před 4 dny

    This is so true for me. Thanks for posting.

  • @smokeyb7120
    @smokeyb7120 Před 18 dny +1

    I unfortunately don't have an Orthodox church nearby. But next year I hopefully will and I will finally get baptized.

  • @phaidonnikolaus9841
    @phaidonnikolaus9841 Před 20 dny

    This is of vital importance and those who have come recently to the Orthodox Faith should pay attention and follow. I was baptised into the Faith fourteen years ago, and was like a sponge absorbing knowledge and, yes, it led to pride and I was reading more than I was praying. Part of it was being able to read the Bible in Greek, and the various texts, but nothing is as central as prayer. Thank you, Fr. Paul. I shall now switch off and go and pray.

  • @Rome1sixteen
    @Rome1sixteen Před 6 dny

    Well this called me out quite hard. Good stuff and very important lessons

  • @jontopham2742
    @jontopham2742 Před 16 dny

    You are calling us all out!!

  • @Daltron5K
    @Daltron5K Před 17 dny

    Thank you father!

  • @slobodan5168
    @slobodan5168 Před 15 dny

    Very good advice . Thank you

  • @ProphetGreg94
    @ProphetGreg94 Před 19 dny

    Very insightful wisdom here.

  • @Osafune2
    @Osafune2 Před 15 dny

    I remember reading Mystical Theology by Lossky when I was still a catechumen 😅

  • @justsomewatermelon
    @justsomewatermelon Před 19 dny

    Thank you for this video

  • @LauraKrause-do7oo
    @LauraKrause-do7oo Před 19 dny

    Thank you

  • @Beastify9pointO
    @Beastify9pointO Před 20 dny

    Lol this video is about me, needed to recognize this for sure!

  • @qqsxza
    @qqsxza Před 20 dny +1

    Absolutely well said….

  • @juarbemike77
    @juarbemike77 Před 20 dny +1

    Indeed, retreating into the desert symbolizes isolation and unwavering prayer, fostering a profound connection with God. The essence of Orthodox faith lies in this relationship, which can be nurtured through practices like the Jesus Prayer. Acquiring knowledge about God is insufficient; rather, it is through the heart that we truly know Him. Embracing humility is paramount, recognizing that our understanding of God is always incomplete and that true knowledge comes from the depths of our being.

  • @zealousideal
    @zealousideal Před 9 dny

    Yes this is very true. The Internet is a blessing and a curse. It’s brought many to the faith, but it also pushes many away from the faith. I had a monk tell me when I first looked in the orthodoxy to be careful of the Internet! I didn’t understand what he was saying at the time but now I do. It’s easy to get caught up in consumerism or in online orthodoxy or videos. All these things are good and helpful but if you do it too much or you don’t balance it with your lifestyle, your prayers your fasting your Praxis, and going to liturgy and meditation, and everything, then you will be off-balance and it will end up destroying you ..ask me how I know. The faith was meant to be lived in practice, not in intellectualism or watching videos.

  • @nathanbell6962
    @nathanbell6962 Před 19 dny

    Dude your so right. Right on the money with this one

  • @stevelenores5637
    @stevelenores5637 Před 20 dny +6

    I think I've heard this expressed as "Practice doesn't makes perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect." Slow deliberate practice of the faith.
    Also you can't start off juggling 10 balls. One ball at a time and add to it. Take one virtue at a time for example - humility. Break this down even more - letting others go first such as letting them eat first and letting others have the best and biggest portions. Letting others have the last piece if only one is left. Little things like these help build your spiritual life.
    Also don't grimace when you do these but do them with a glad heart. If you make virtue obvious because you show your pain, it isn't really a virtue. ☦

  • @birdlynn417
    @birdlynn417 Před 19 dny

    The LDS church has a great strong family of believers who watch out for each other, systematically in a beautiful way, thus reaching out and caring for one another like Jesus teaches. How does the Orthodox make sure their own members will be cared for too?

  • @EricBryant
    @EricBryant Před 18 dny

    Three years into my Orthodox catechism, and I can 💯% attest that intellectualizing won't get you there.

  • @IosuamacaMhadaidh
    @IosuamacaMhadaidh Před 20 dny

    6:28 very important to hear this right now.

  • @ericgraham4360
    @ericgraham4360 Před 13 dny

    This (perhaps obviously) applies to other branches of Christianity too… very helpful

  • @KonstantinosPhillippikos

    All the Glory to our lord JesusChrist
    Orthodox is the right path

  • @gatec4517
    @gatec4517 Před 17 dny +4

    I’m thinking about converting from Catholicism to Orthodoxy.

    • @dan-lansingmi9169
      @dan-lansingmi9169 Před 3 dny

      Do you really have to convert or simply start attending and joining an Orthodox Church ? I don’t understand the converting part.

    • @VirginMostPowerfull
      @VirginMostPowerfull Před 2 hodinami

      Stay Catholic, the Early Church hinged on Rome more than any other see, not other sees. Jesus Christ gave the keys of Heaven to Peter and subsequent Popes of Rome.
      I'm a convert from Protestantism.

    • @VirginMostPowerfull
      @VirginMostPowerfull Před 2 hodinami

      Get involved with your parish and grow in the Catholic faith which has everything in Orthdoxy and even more (Sacred Heart devotion, Rosary, etc).

    • @dan-lansingmi9169
      @dan-lansingmi9169 Před hodinou

      @@VirginMostPowerfull “Upon this Rock” - Jesus is the cornerstone, the rock not Peter.

    • @VirginMostPowerfull
      @VirginMostPowerfull Před hodinou

      @@dan-lansingmi9169 Peter literally means rock in Greek, and he was originally renamed kepha in Aramaic which has no linguistic ambiguity and means rock.
      So you're clearly oversimplifying the issue.
      The truth is that Jesus and Peter are both the rock, Jesus is the rock because he is God, and Peter is the rock because he represents God on Earth more so than anyone else. He received the power to unite the Church and this is shown in Church History. If we disobey Peter's confession, we disobey God, everyone must agree with the Petrine See.

  • @Gio-ce8ob
    @Gio-ce8ob Před 19 dny

    Hey, I use my Chotki almost everyday 😊

  • @allisona6482
    @allisona6482 Před 20 dny

    Amen amen amen!🙏🏻

  • @experiongallup
    @experiongallup Před 19 dny

    Good point

  • @romanianspy4277
    @romanianspy4277 Před 19 dny

    Billions must see this

  • @trademark0013
    @trademark0013 Před 19 dny

    This was so good.

  • @stanley1554
    @stanley1554 Před 16 dny

    Yes.

  • @Medical-anesthesia23
    @Medical-anesthesia23 Před 19 dny

    Inspired by the Holy Spirit thoughts.
    Thanks.
    The arrogance of knowledge.
    I see it everyday.
    It is true that consumption of to much spiritual information it is counterproductive.
    Creates a void .
    This could be the explanation
    Prayer
    And informational fasting
    And good acts
    Simple
    Thanks
    God bless you.

  • @soniaemmanouilidou1139

    So wise

  • @blaincortstotalselfdefense8140

    When you said if you're not praying as much as much as you are consuming things. Would you include time spent reading the scriptures in the prayer time column?

  • @Saint_nobody
    @Saint_nobody Před 20 dny

    Search, Ponder and Pray.

  • @LPSCaitelyn
    @LPSCaitelyn Před 20 dny

    I’m doing this 😢

  • @Poultry_Plays
    @Poultry_Plays Před 20 dny

    I'm a new convert and I bought myself a icon of Christ a prayer book some incense and a oil lamp
    Would that be consumerism? I know the church will provide other icons and I will collect them throughout my life

    • @user-mm4hs5fb6i
      @user-mm4hs5fb6i Před 20 dny +2

      the fact that you bought those things r not bad. i really hope you did that to be closer to Christ. now, because you have bought those things, don’t worry about it. focus on your future relationship with God. i would say keep those things and don’t buy more stuff until later on. have progress and start with the things you already own.

    • @Poultry_Plays
      @Poultry_Plays Před 19 dny

      @@user-mm4hs5fb6i ok thanks for the input my friend
      and yes i did not get them just because Orthodox use them i got them to enhance my prayer and Bible readings and also i find comfort in my icon it reminds me that Jesus is always here for me

  • @juarbemike77
    @juarbemike77 Před 20 dny

    Today, embark on a daily ritual that will forever etch the profound significance of prayer into your consciousness. With each viewing of this concise and impactful video, let its message resonate deeply within you. This reminder of prayer's transformative power will serve as a constant beacon, guiding your spirit and illuminating your path. Allow its simple yet profound words to penetrate your heart and ignite a flame of devotion that will endure throughout your life.

  • @SiluanOrthodox
    @SiluanOrthodox Před 18 dny

    Me after coming home from my pilgrimage to a monastery with 7 books and 2 icons.

  • @MichaelTheophilus906
    @MichaelTheophilus906 Před 19 dny

    Deut 6.4-6, Mark 12.28-32, John 17.3, John 20.17, Rom 15.6, Rom 16.27, I Cor 8.6, II Cor 11.31, I Tim 2.5, Rev 1.5-6, Rev 3.12, and many other scriptures.

  • @thebullymac4742
    @thebullymac4742 Před 18 dny

    This is directly calling me out lol

  • @johndannenbrink7590
    @johndannenbrink7590 Před 19 dny

    If you have the opportunity to be with Orthodox refugees here in the U.S., especially in their homes, better than books for American converts typically.
    As always, confer with your father confessor and spouse/family if you are married

  • @susandrew8977
    @susandrew8977 Před 5 dny

    Could someone explain the icons?

  • @NotablySped
    @NotablySped Před 20 dny

    Genuninely curious; can an Orthodox Christian have a devotion to Mother Mary and still be faithful to the teachings of the church?

  • @KirstyE3
    @KirstyE3 Před 16 dny

    Guilty! Great advice.

  • @mrststreasures9628
    @mrststreasures9628 Před 20 dny

    Pause the video and pray.