I am going to approach the priesthood with humility and carefulness. I’ve felt the flame a few times but was knocked off course through deception and foolishness. I’m at a point now where I’m saying “ yes” and heading towards it. I’m not sure how it will happen as I hold only an Associate’s degree in Addiction Counselling. I’m soon to be 39. Married with three children living in Central Asia at the moment. But, if it is God’s will nothing will stop it. Please pray for me my friends!
you are here again?? I have seen you at another video somewhere! it seems both of us are going through the same thing so we are finding similar videos hmmm
May God bless you my friend! I will pray for you. Please pray for me. I am also leaning towards the priesthood, and am trying not to resist. Praise be to God.
I’m trying not to think emotionally, but this video had me crying all the way through. It’s like every objection in my heart was spoken to. But it’s seems impossible. I have a bunch of accumulated credits both from an Orthodox and a Protestant school. My both of my kids will be in high school next year but they are homeschooled. My wife is epileptic and needs care. It all seems so overwhelming, except I can’t escape it.
I am an Orthodox priest who obtained my MDiv rather unconventionally. No undergrad, just a diploma in Respiratory Therapy. Went to SVS for two semesters as a Registered Auditor back in 1999. I only wanted to take courses and get an “education.” Returned home and with one academic year of graduate level credits (actually a year and one half’s worth...I took as many courses as humanly possible), I approached the local RC college and applied for entry into their BDiv program. They saw that since I was a mature student (35 years old) and that I had demonstrated that I could perform well at the graduate level (they transferred nearly all of SVS credits as they are both ATS schools), they gave me entry straight into their MDiv program. I had no idea this could be done! I only discovered this when it was offered to me. So now I have 2 diplomas (I recently earned a Diploma in Digital Media and IT at age 56!) and a Roman Catholic MDiv. I guess what I’m saying is this: if you are being called, the Lord will help you find a way. Your mature status, I’m guessing, will help you quite a bit. The rules tend to be relaxed a bit for mature students. We can talk off line if you wish; just let me know. Fr. Ron.
If you are called, brother, you will know. I understand where you’re at. Like you, I also have a wife who is very sick, with leukaemia, so I know how it is. I am in seminary in my last semester and I don’t even know how I will be able to pay for my final semester because since she can’t work anymore we are struggling pretty bad. Many helped me in the church before, but lately it has not come through. Still, His will be done. I trust that He will find a way and see me through. I have learned that it is all part of the journey in carrying one’s cross. But remember what Our Lord said: “with men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” - Matthew 19:16-26 You and your family are surely in our prayers. God bless you, and may the Theotokos be with you. ☦️🙏
I'm not discerning a priestly vocation, but I have received a blessing from my spiritual father to discern the diaconate. I might come here perhaps, a lot of it may depend on my fiancee whom I will wed here soon.
The Diaconate as a lifelong calling is worthy in itself. My mentor is one who was heading toward the priesthood but backed up and became and stayed in the Diaconate-to the angst of those pushing him. The Diaconate is that connective tissue between the laity and the priest. In the Antiochian archdiocese, we saw with the explosive growth in the 80s and 90s "all available" called up to the priesthood. What this meant was that a generation of priests served without having a Deacon there. While the priest can do the Liturgy, it's fullness is not lived out without the Deacon. A parish isn't "complete" without SEVEN deacons (wow).
I think about this often I pray about it and it burns like a fire in me. I am 31 and fear I am too old. I never went to college as I stupidly dropped out to enlist in the military when I was young and naive. I fear I may have ruined my dream before ever being able to recognize it...
@@fadydib2102 hey truly thank you so much for this. I came to the faith within the last year and had given up the fire to wanting to be a priest when I left Catholicism when I was younger. Finding orthodoxy has been the ultimate blessing and I feel that call again attending my parish. I struggled with feeling like I waited to long or am too late.
I am 25, but I have much further to go before I’m ready than most people. I’ve only been Chrismated for 1 year and I’ve yet to defeat a single one of my passions. I certainly don’t think it’s too late for you since most priests I see in my country are over 40 years old.
My godfather was ordained in his late 40s. He basically lived an entire life in a STEM job, but God called him to the priesthood and he answered, and he is now an incredibly faithful and godly spiritual father and servant of the Lord.
@@sushiwithasword5089 thank you for this. I want to be a byzantine Priest but have not even attended a Divine Liturgy because there is none in Nigeria. I figured it out through study and the internet. So i hope i can save up and move to europe soon
Can't post link, but try searching for this: The Pastoral School of the Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
I know that it requires a bachlors degree to go here but I only have an associate's degree and I'm getting old so if achieving a bachlors degree is not possible, is there any hope for me?
Look up the story of Father Matthew Baker, one of the most intelligent young men the Orthodox Church had to offer, who tragically died too young. He was accepted to Saint Tikhon's without a BA.
Not true, brother. Many seminaries also have certificate programs for people in your situation. I am in the same boat and I am currently finishing my last semester. But I would love to go back eventually and, God willing, earth an M.Div. God bless you, brother.
I wonder if you could say anything to a situation where a man either wanted, or felt that he was called to the priesthood, and was denied blessing for that by his local priest, for 20 years, until that priest died, upon which he immediately obtained ordination. I realize you can’t address that specific situation with certainty, whether the parish priest was wrong to not bless it, or whether the man wrongly sought ordination. So I guess my question is more about when a man might wrongly seek ordination. Steve Robinson spoke of “cassock envy“. How prevalent is that?
I am going to approach the priesthood with humility and carefulness. I’ve felt the flame a few times but was knocked off course through deception and foolishness. I’m at a point now where I’m saying “ yes” and heading towards it. I’m not sure how it will happen as I hold only an Associate’s degree in Addiction Counselling. I’m soon to be 39. Married with three children living in Central Asia at the moment. But, if it is God’s will nothing will stop it. Please pray for me my friends!
you are here again?? I have seen you at another video somewhere! it seems both of us are going through the same thing so we are finding similar videos hmmm
May God bless you my friend! I will pray for you. Please pray for me. I am also leaning towards the priesthood, and am trying not to resist. Praise be to God.
I look forward to it.
I’m trying not to think emotionally, but this video had me crying all the way through. It’s like every objection in my heart was spoken to. But it’s seems impossible. I have a bunch of accumulated credits both from an Orthodox and a Protestant school. My both of my kids will be in high school next year but they are homeschooled. My wife is epileptic and needs care. It all seems so overwhelming, except I can’t escape it.
I am an Orthodox priest who obtained my MDiv rather unconventionally. No undergrad, just a diploma in Respiratory Therapy. Went to SVS for two semesters as a Registered Auditor back in 1999. I only wanted to take courses and get an “education.” Returned home and with one academic year of graduate level credits (actually a year and one half’s worth...I took as many courses as humanly possible), I approached the local RC college and applied for entry into their BDiv program. They saw that since I was a mature student (35 years old) and that I had demonstrated that I could perform well at the graduate level (they transferred nearly all of SVS credits as they are both ATS schools), they gave me entry straight into their MDiv program. I had no idea this could be done! I only discovered this when it was offered to me. So now I have 2 diplomas (I recently earned a Diploma in Digital Media and IT at age 56!) and a Roman Catholic MDiv. I guess what I’m saying is this: if you are being called, the Lord will help you find a way. Your mature status, I’m guessing, will help you quite a bit. The rules tend to be relaxed a bit for mature students. We can talk off line if you wish; just let me know. Fr. Ron.
@@BassByRon Father can I ask what parish your pastor?
If you are called, brother, you will know. I understand where you’re at. Like you, I also have a wife who is very sick, with leukaemia, so I know how it is. I am in seminary in my last semester and I don’t even know how I will be able to pay for my final semester because since she can’t work anymore we are struggling pretty bad. Many helped me in the church before, but lately it has not come through. Still, His will be done. I trust that He will find a way and see me through. I have learned that it is all part of the journey in carrying one’s cross.
But remember what Our Lord said: “with men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” - Matthew 19:16-26
You and your family are surely in our prayers. God bless you, and may the Theotokos be with you. ☦️🙏
I'm not discerning a priestly vocation, but I have received a blessing from my spiritual father to discern the diaconate. I might come here perhaps, a lot of it may depend on my fiancee whom I will wed here soon.
The Diaconate as a lifelong calling is worthy in itself. My mentor is one who was heading toward the priesthood but backed up and became and stayed in the Diaconate-to the angst of those pushing him. The Diaconate is that connective tissue between the laity and the priest. In the Antiochian archdiocese, we saw with the explosive growth in the 80s and 90s "all available" called up to the priesthood. What this meant was that a generation of priests served without having a Deacon there. While the priest can do the Liturgy, it's fullness is not lived out without the Deacon. A parish isn't "complete" without SEVEN deacons (wow).
I pray that the harvest for our faith will be richly answered. I continually pray, also, for our church.
I think about this often I pray about it and it burns like a fire in me. I am 31 and fear I am too old. I never went to college as I stupidly dropped out to enlist in the military when I was young and naive. I fear I may have ruined my dream before ever being able to recognize it...
You are not too late. The canonical age for for ordination is 30 years old. Please speak to your spiritual father in that regard.
God Bless.
F.Fady
@@fadydib2102 hey truly thank you so much for this. I came to the faith within the last year and had given up the fire to wanting to be a priest when I left Catholicism when I was younger. Finding orthodoxy has been the ultimate blessing and I feel that call again attending my parish. I struggled with feeling like I waited to long or am too late.
I am 25, but I have much further to go before I’m ready than most people. I’ve only been Chrismated for 1 year and I’ve yet to defeat a single one of my passions.
I certainly don’t think it’s too late for you since most priests I see in my country are over 40 years old.
My godfather was ordained in his late 40s. He basically lived an entire life in a STEM job, but God called him to the priesthood and he answered, and he is now an incredibly faithful and godly spiritual father and servant of the Lord.
@@sushiwithasword5089 thank you for this. I want to be a byzantine Priest but have not even attended a Divine Liturgy because there is none in Nigeria. I figured it out through study and the internet. So i hope i can save up and move to europe soon
Can you please tell me the music in the background? Thank you!
Is there a 100% online Orthodox Christian Seminary?
Can't post link, but try searching for this: The Pastoral School of the Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
I am pretty sure Jordanville offers a distance learning program
is it possible for those who cannot afford it?
I know that it requires a bachlors degree to go here but I only have an associate's degree and I'm getting old so if achieving a bachlors degree is not possible, is there any hope for me?
Look up the story of Father Matthew Baker, one of the most intelligent young men the Orthodox Church had to offer, who tragically died too young. He was accepted to Saint Tikhon's without a BA.
Reach out to us - there is certainly a possibility!
Not true, brother. Many seminaries also have certificate programs for people in your situation. I am in the same boat and I am currently finishing my last semester. But I would love to go back eventually and, God willing, earth an M.Div. God bless you, brother.
@@SaintTikhonsSeminaryHi. How does someone afford to pay for seminary especially after paying for four years of college?
@@gushardy4283 Thank you for telling us about Fr Matthew Baker. A truly tragic story of a man whose character more should know about..
I wonder if you could say anything to a situation where a man either wanted, or felt that he was called to the priesthood, and was denied blessing for that by his local priest, for 20 years, until that priest died, upon which he immediately obtained ordination. I realize you can’t address that specific situation with certainty, whether the parish priest was wrong to not bless it, or whether the man wrongly sought ordination. So I guess my question is more about when a man might wrongly seek ordination. Steve Robinson spoke of “cassock envy“. How prevalent is that?
My question is there too late of an age to enter the priesthood? I’m 38, is that too old?
no