Here lots of comments are from my protestant brothers. Meanwhile as a muslim convert from Turkey tho, believe me what i say. I lost my family, my fiancee, my friends and It was hundred percent worth everything.
@@nuha1018_ It went really, really bad. My mother and father just couldnt accept it. They told me I am brainwashed. After 3 months they just avoid contacting me altogether. My fiancee's family rejected our future marriage becouse " there will be no husband in law in their family that could be a filthy blasphemer." I lost so many friends, especially my childhood ones. They told me I am betraying my country( I still dont understand why they keep thinking Jesus Christ Lord of all is only sacrificed himself for western civilizations)
I am suffering deeply. As an inquirer for the last several months, I was attending Divine Liturgy every other week. My wife, an evangelical, told me it was too much for her and she can’t be married to someone who is Orthodox because she doesn’t believe it is Christianity. She has told me I cannot go back or it will cause her to divorce me. Pray for me brothers and sisters, and pray for her.
@@climbingtheladder2720 thank you brother. It’s not easy. Attending an evangelical church which preaches penal substitutionary atonement, the solas, easy-believeism, once saved always saved…. It’s very dissatisfying spiritually. I pray alone in my closet and thankfully haven’t been told to lose my prayer rope at this point… I pray for your marriage as well
My son who is 19 is Orthodox and has brought several debates home. I see a big change in him and I have started to rethink some of my old church ways. I must admit i have not attended in many years. I do listen to on line services. I hope to be attending an Orthodox service soon.
Been there. Jesus said it would be hard. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
My situation is a lone potential Orthodox convert amidst pagans, witches, and agnostics. I feel not only alone, but also that I can't even mention my journey for fear of witchcraft or other retaliation for my newfound faith. I guess that's a test.
Have no fear of the witches. Yes, the demons they worship grant their wishes as they can and as it suits them, but great saints have left us prayers that overthrow them. Look up the Lorica of St Patrick and pray it every morning and live it with the help of the Holy Spirit every day. God bless and keep you.
Ex occultist here. The witches have no power over you. Their witchcraft fizzles when you are praying. Do not fear them it’s all a mind game. You might have a better conversation than you think. I would start with mysticism. Explain that you found a form of mysticism that is beyond anything you’ve found before. And in a place you didn’t expect. How despite being persecuted it has survived 2000 years. And makes the rest of so called mysticism look like pre-school. Stand strong in your faithfulness to Christ and they may be open to it. You can also have your home blessed by your priest. Any black magic spells, demonic influences - all of it - lose their power. It’s like shooting a bullet through water. By the time it reaches you, it’s more like an annoyance than anything else. Speaking from direct experience here.
As long you don't push your faith on them like christians of the past everything will be fine, also witches and pagans are not as scary as y'all make them out to be
@@holstonmatt You are correct but it's refreshing to read about Orthodox missions. They did not push. St. Herman of Alaska was a perfect example of a very recent mission that followed the same Spirit discernable St. Patrick's mission in Ireland and all those of the early Church. No coercion, no swords, not replacing culture but sanctifying it to God.
Lord knows I have many problems, but this is not one of them. My grandmother tried to get me to go to her Methodist church during my many atheist years; and when I finally started going to church, all she said was a puzzled "Orthodox... like Greek Orthodox?" And I just said "Yes Mimi, like Greek Orthodox," (I don't to a Greek parish) and that was enough for her. I pray for the catechumen and seekers at my church who have this issue, that they make overcome it with grace.
I am protestant, but have been thinking about Orthodoxy a lot lately and and looking into it. I am 33 years old and have been following Jesus since I was 18 and by His grace I have a strong foundation. I have begun to incorporate various Orthodox practices in my life and though I am still a work in progress I see it bearing fruit in my life. I am planning to attend a Divine Liturgy very soon perhaps even this Sunday. I attended a Great Vesper a few weeks ago. Father Paul, thank you so much for this video. It was so gracious and pastoral. May God continue to bless you.
I'm so grateful that my mother is so accepting of this faith...even if she is worried she'll never be able to stand for a whole service 😅 I told her I couldn't either at first. I hope all those who see this video & needed it find peace ❤
Why should your mother stand for the entire service? Even in the most rigorous church’s in Eastern Europe benches on the outer edges of the nave are placed for the elderly and anyone having mobility issues.
@@dravenocklost4253 my point was that ( assuming you are a new convert ) the reason to come to church is to worship. Putting artificial Barriers up to potential enquirers only defeats the purpose for inviting them. In the end it’s irrelevant whether one sits or stands with the exception of the gospel reading and the great procession. Converts tend to get wrapped up in the trappings of orthodoxy. The essence is worshiping the Holy Trinity in spirit and truth. Things like vestments, etc are interesting but when one learns that the vestments are actually Byzantine court dress reality tends to intervene. My journey to Orthodoxy started in Texas and ended up in Greece where I now live. Best of luck in your searching and have a good journey!
If you will be kind enough to indulge me further one thing comes to mind as I review my early days in Orthodoxy. If I had to do it over again I would choose a parish with mostly cradle believers. My experience in an Antiochian convert parish was borderline toxic and with quite a few inquirers and “ recently illuminated” discussing the finer points of the sermon and the state of Orthodoxy worldwide must have been intolerable for those nearby who happened to listen in. Evangelicals ( I was one ) tend to wear their heart on their sleeve. You might find the cradle believers would rather talk of their golf score at coffee hour. Years later after serving as a treasurer I got to see who talked about these issues of importance and who actually did something constructive. It was humbling. My point in this rant is to keep yourself and those listening in to not be that guy on some internet blog five years from now who writes “ I was sold a bill of goods.” Orthodoxy is a marathon and not a sprint race.
I had my awakening in January, was torn between Catholicism & Orthodoxy, I just knew from what I had seen that Protestantism has no real tangible substance to it. Catholics and Orthodox both recognise 7 sacraments but I highly advise really studying their doctrinal differences and comparing it against scripture then trying to go to both mass and Divine Liturgy at least once and making your own decision. Proud to say I am a now a practicing Catholic, getting confirmed next Easter. ✝️🇻🇦
My wife and I are both Christians she comes from a Pentecostal background and myself a Catholic. I have been at non denominational church’s for years and found orthodoxy 2 years ago. I see the truth and have acknowledged orthodoxy as the church Christ left us. I pray my wife sees the same but she has said deff not.
Thank you, Father. What a beautiful video! When I came into Orthodoxy I focused on converting myself; seeking repentance and Christ (mostly through the Jesus prayer.) By the time we first set foot in our parish (which we've never left since that day) my wife was reluctant but had already seen the change in me. Glory to God. Our kids were all in from day one. Haha. Now, years later, my mother-in-law has joined The Church as well and my older sister is being brought into The Church in the Fall. Both of whom say it was the changes in me and in our family that brought them along first. Again, Glory to God!!!! Now, and still, I often tell inquirers and Catechumens that my two favorite things to say to people are, "I don't know," and, "I'm not a priest." But I always follow it up with, "come and see!" May God bless you. Thank you again for this. It will allow me to share these things without it being me sharing them. ☺️🙏
This is exactly what I needed today, I was just praying on this a few minutes ago and I was tearfully asking for the guidance and strength to persevere, even if it meant losing contact with my family. Thank you Father ☦
Thank you father. I have been struggling with this for a while, and right now it’s to a point where they’re mocking me. I try to stay silent and pray, but sometimes it gets to me. This video has helped a lot and has helped me to reflect on myself.
I wasn’t baptized, and I’ve been attending an Orthodox church for a couple of months now. I’ve been a catechumen, and I was talking to my mom(protestant) how I would probably be baptized maybe at the end of the year. She immediately told me that she doesn’t want me baptized until im 18. Please Pray for me and my situation. God bless☦️
@@towpics6388 I’m not sure, when I used to go to church with her at her protestant church, she put me in classes to get baptized, but now that I am instead attending a Orthodox church, she doesn’t want me to get baptized until I am 18, mostly because protestants don’t believe kids can get baptized but I am 16 turning 17 so I don’t know why she’s taking that action, but in the end we must trust in God’s will and plan.
@@johnsambo9379If a person is ready that’s when as an adult they need to get baptized! No parent should keep them from getting baptized! It’s part of Salvation and should never be put off.
Thank you, Fr. Paul, for this advice. Please make that video about situations where one of the spouses is not a believer. This is a common issue these days, not only in America but also in the country I come from and other traditionally Orthodox nations like Greece, Serbia, Russia, etc. Although almost all of us are baptized in Orthodox church, only a few are actually trying to live the faith.
I was raised Pentecostal and now am in between Baptist/ non denominational or becoming catholic or orthodox. All I can say is the more I look and research and go no longer fully be Protestant. I’m going to go to an orthodox service soon. Pray for me, I’m torn between catholic and orthodoxy. I do however now realize they are the two oldest and most true of the churches and have stood the test of time.
Catholic and orthodox have been well known forms and dinominations of christianity in comparison to the rest. Orthodox has always been known to be the more correct version and dinomination of christianity.
Thank you so much for this video, this is something that I been going through with my beloved ones but being humble and keep with my prayers has helped soften this position. I am converting to the Orthodox Faith and hasn’t been an easy path but I am embracing the call of God, please pray for me
Fr. Paul please do make another video regarding a wife who is not Orthodox or is against Orthodoxy. What do you do with the children? Should we strictly press that they must be baptized Orthodox?
Thank you for this video. I’ve been praying my family and girlfriend will be understanding. The past year I started to study the early church and realized how far off the mark I’ve been my whole life. Prayers for anyone else on their journey for the Truth.
Great advice! Thank you, Father Paul! From my own experience it takes time. I wish I was given these tips earlier as it seems like I've made most of the mistakes mentioned))
I can relate to this topic because sometimes my parents tend to sometimes argue about orthodoxy especially sometimes if they don't like certain aspects of orthodoxy or don't like specific services in orthodoxy and how its conducted. Then they compare it to catholic services since my parents used to be catholic and then they make an argument about how they prefer catholisam and dis-like orthodoxy especially when my relatives get involved in covincing them and imposing there views on my parents it then makes my parents argue about it. I don't like to argue. I would rather there be peace but sometimes my parents insist on arguing with me about it which is upsetting.I try to make them sometimes like it but it aways ends up in an argument. although mt parents refuse to get re-baptized as an orthodox convert in fear of what the priest would do if they found out they were catholic. I am proud to be a Coptic Orthodox Christian and always will be. I am glad that I have been raised in orthodoxy and baptized in an orthodox church. Its annoying when my relatives impose there anti-orthodox views on my parents. I really like your video.Thanks for the advice Fr.Paul. I like the part where you said " agree to disagree". Its a good way to end an argument and to prevent it from escalating further. Thanks for the advice Fr.Paul
Hello Father Paul, I am incredibly grateful for the insight and advice you gave in this video. Your guidance enabled me to have a meaningful conversation with my father about my inquiry into Orthodoxy. Despite his general aversion to the Church as a whole (which stemmed from him seeing his friends and family suffer at the hands of certain Evangelical church leaders), your advice helped me convey that it was his own teachings on the importance of truth-seeking that led me to this path. Although I have yet to discuss this with my mother (she is asleep at the time of posting this comment), she shares my father's sentiments. However, your advice has already made such a significant impact that my father is now willing to speak with her and assure her that my inquiry into Orthodoxy is neither “irrational” nor “dangerous” as they might otherwise say. Obviously I won’t leave it to my father to speak solely on my behalf. I will certainly speak directly with my mother too. That said, getting my father to do a full 180 on this issue is super important to getting my mother to be more accepting. Thank you once again for your advice. I am excited to begin participating in Orthodoxy.
I feel that it is both a good and a bad thing. And your family objects one it's a struggle it's something that God wants you to go through to better yourself and through you becoming better. Overcoming the challenges and tribulations that God has let out before you is a good thing to struggle for Christ. But the personal response should be to pray for the family. I became Orthodox and my family Saint is Saint Ignatius and I pray that he will intercede for my family the Lord will soften my family's Hearts to Orthodox.
Thank you so much, my mothers(who is agnostic) relationship with me has really been falling apart because of our disagreements on Christianity but luckily she's been supporting me on this journey to Christ but is really skeptical about orthodoxy because she believes it rituals and the reason why because she mostly comes from a protestant background. I've also been when explaining orthodoxy to her in an irrational way. Thank you and god bless
This may seem a little weird for me to be commenting, As a mom who is prodistant with a grown child who is converting to orthodoxy, I agree with these words and advice. I think that for me feeling uncertain comes from my lack of knowledge of Orthodoxy, I have had to research and listen to many videos online to understand. I know not every prodistant is willing to do that.
Thank you. My family is all Protestant. Grew up Baptist. There’s so much disapproval on what I’ve found and it’s tough. My faith is the most important part of my life and it’s all I want to talk about, but I can’t around them. Makes me not even want to be around my family, is that bad?
My wife has even threatened divorce. I'm 69 and in poor health. She knows that she has the "upper hand." Not what one would call Godly love. Prayers appreciated. Bless you all. 🙏☦️🙏
I’m a trad catholic. I was raised Protestant, my. Dad was Ukrainian Greek Catholic so I used to go with my aunt who sang in the choir sometimes. My mother was Calvinist and despised my dad’s church. As an adult I went through the whole nine yards of different Christian sects. Evangelical fundamentalism, hyper charismatic churches and even a Pentecostal church. Ugh. But I always missed the divine liturgy. So I became Anglican for a few years but we see what happened to them. Then I tried the Latin rite Catholic Church which I loved and joined. Everyone told me I was going to hell but I didn’t care. I attended mass every day, sang Gregorian chant in the choir and for that five years I truly loved the church. Then I moved back east to novus ordo hell. And this bergoglio is a heretic and the RCC is collapsing before our eyes. I’m not going to worship with the Uniates because I don’t think the RCC and orthodoxy should unite unless Rome repents of its great sins. So, . I’ve been studying orthodoxy for several years. I’m already familiar with Church Slavonic and the liturgy of St. John christosum. And I’m going to start attending the RO church this Sunday. Eastern and oriental orthodoxy are the last holdouts in Christendom. I’ve never considered a change to a liturgical church without much study on my own too, especially in church history and the doctrine of the faith I’m interested in. All my Catholic friends have told me I’m going to hell now too. So the Protestants and the Catholics have damned me to hell. . So I don’t care what they say or think. If God is leading me to orthodoxy, I’m going to listen to him.
If Catholics are saying that they are judging you which the Church would say is a great sin! Protestants don’t know any better as they are already in a false doctrine. Follow Christ NOT people!
My dad accused me of blasphemy for denying the state of Israel is a fulfillment of prophecy... Orthodox obviously aren't zionists so this is a huge flammable point in my family's view of my investigation of Orthodoxy.
I am a babtist in a babtist family and when I saw orthodoxy I saw truth. But I don’t know exactly how to tell them about my interest or what I want to do about it. Any advice?
Have lost 4 really good evangelical friends over 6 months of my conversion. Ended with much malice and negativity from them. I unfortunately had to cut ties to avoid further bad dialogue.
I'm also chiming in to request a spouse video. I was recently baptized, Glory to God, and my husband, who is atheist, is not pleased with any of this. He views religion as a tool of control and a sort of crutch. It doesn't help that some of the Ascetic disciplines appear to an outsider to have arbitrary rules, such as fasting. I'm still so new and cannot explain everything well yet. He has no interest in meeting anyone from church either. I'm just praying. It's in God's hands!
I'm in this boat. I brought my wife into the Lutheran faith, and I'm now seriously studying Orthodoxy. She ain't happy. For years I drilled her into the 5 Solas, and she doesn't understand why I'm rejecting that. A friend has done the same thing when he left Pentecostalism for Orthodoxy. His wife in protest still attends the Evangelical church. I don't want to be separated from my wife in worship, but I will not compromise.
I did the exact same thing. You may be studying but your wife has to go through her own process. My wife really connected with the lives of the saints and catechism class but it was a slow process that we had to walk together even though I wanted to sprint ahead it required patience on my end. Let her know you love her and you love Christ and nothing has changed in that regard. It’s a shock to the relationship at least that’s how my wife explained it.
Your journey gives me encouragement - my wife and I are Catholic and I'm ready to become a Catechuman but her heart isn't there yet. She isn't averse to Orthodoxy but wants more time. Pray for us brother!
I'm not orthodox yet but i would like starting this way because i think is my way. However some catholic can't accept that there is other truth faith than their one. In their mentality doesnt exist other truth faith than catholic. Isn't easy as i wait it
They are right; only they misinterpret what "Catholic" means; it's us the Orthodox, not them Papists. [Tongue in cheek but also serious] May God help you in your search.
@@Badger5893 We have found the world offers nothing, so we look to the only One who offers anything, which is the Good Lord our God, and this is His church, so we will take up our cross and follow Him
I rather don't want to make my husband sad and split the family during liturgies, because we are roman catholic now and I was really devoted converted catholic when I married, I still love latin prayers. Now I've been catholic for 14 years (and married for 11 years), and I have more and more problems with the papacy and I've found I don't like newer catholic saints teaching too much, even the most popular, like Teresie de Lisieux. I like her, I just can't read her books, too much hysteria and romanticism. Same with Therese of Avila. Also I don't like too much the catholic way of prayer (Lectia Divina, where you imagine yourself in bible situations, or the spiritual exercises after Ignatius of Loyola - very popular, catholics love them. I find them dangerous and unimportant). Or that horrible charismatic movement, loved by franciscans, and their praying in "tongues". Crazy. But I don't want to say catholicism has no truth at all. My plan is to stay still, without any rash decisions, and to read authors I like more :)) No fights.
One Gospel: Gospel of Reconciliation. Jesus Christ came into THEIR kingdom to reconcile fallen angels unto Himself. We are the fallen angels (ELOHIM) kept in DNA chains of darkness. If you do not confess being a fallen angel in Lucifer's kingdom, then you are an unbeliever. Unbeliever = those that claim to be made in the image of ELOHIM(gods). REPENT FALLEN ANGELS.
![COLOMBIA vs. CHILE [4-0] | RESUMEN | ELIMINATORIAS SUDAMERICANAS | FECHA 10](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/TDjN4W3yy1k/mqdefault.jpg)
Here lots of comments are from my protestant brothers. Meanwhile as a muslim convert from Turkey tho, believe me what i say. I lost my family, my fiancee, my friends and It was hundred percent worth everything.
The most beautiful comment I’ve read. Thank you. May Christ be with you and strengthen you!
Can you please say more about how it went? I am in the exact same situation as you as someone with a Muslim family 🙏
@@nuha1018_ It went really, really bad. My mother and father just couldnt accept it. They told me I am brainwashed. After 3 months they just avoid contacting me altogether. My fiancee's family rejected our future marriage becouse " there will be no husband in law in their family that could be a filthy blasphemer." I lost so many friends, especially my childhood ones. They told me I am betraying my country( I still dont understand why they keep thinking Jesus Christ Lord of all is only sacrificed himself for western civilizations)
@@darklurkerirl6101 Bless you. My prayers are with you and your family. Lord please have mercy. Sophia
God Bless youuu❤
I am suffering deeply. As an inquirer for the last several months, I was attending Divine Liturgy every other week. My wife, an evangelical, told me it was too much for her and she can’t be married to someone who is Orthodox because she doesn’t believe it is Christianity. She has told me I cannot go back or it will cause her to divorce me. Pray for me brothers and sisters, and pray for her.
That’s horrible man, may the Lord guide her to the truth ☦️
Praying for you brother.
It's it not Christianity? She needs a history lesson. Lord have Mercy🙏🏽☦️
Borderline same boat sir, be praying for you guys.
@@climbingtheladder2720 thank you brother. It’s not easy. Attending an evangelical church which preaches penal substitutionary atonement, the solas, easy-believeism, once saved always saved…. It’s very dissatisfying spiritually. I pray alone in my closet and thankfully haven’t been told to lose my prayer rope at this point…
I pray for your marriage as well
My son who is 19 is Orthodox and has brought several debates home. I see a big change in him and I have started to rethink some of my old church ways. I must admit i have not attended in many years. I do listen to on line services. I hope to be attending an Orthodox service soon.
@@danoman5217 online is not much compared to attending a Divine Liturgy. And Agape afterwards.
Great advice Father Paul. Im almost seventeen and my family probably won't take my conversion too well. Pray for me and my family please.
Same boat brother. Almost 17 and parents won’t let me convert. Prayers for you and your family ☦️
Been there. Jesus said it would be hard.
Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
My situation is a lone potential Orthodox convert amidst pagans, witches, and agnostics. I feel not only alone, but also that I can't even mention my journey for fear of witchcraft or other retaliation for my newfound faith. I guess that's a test.
Have no fear of the witches. Yes, the demons they worship grant their wishes as they can and as it suits them, but great saints have left us prayers that overthrow them.
Look up the Lorica of St Patrick and pray it every morning and live it with the help of the Holy Spirit every day.
God bless and keep you.
Ex occultist here. The witches have no power over you. Their witchcraft fizzles when you are praying. Do not fear them it’s all a mind game.
You might have a better conversation than you think. I would start with mysticism. Explain that you found a form of mysticism that is beyond anything you’ve found before. And in a place you didn’t expect. How despite being persecuted it has survived 2000 years. And makes the rest of so called mysticism look like pre-school. Stand strong in your faithfulness to Christ and they may be open to it.
You can also have your home blessed by your priest. Any black magic spells, demonic influences - all of it - lose their power. It’s like shooting a bullet through water. By the time it reaches you, it’s more like an annoyance than anything else.
Speaking from direct experience here.
As long you don't push your faith on them like christians of the past everything will be fine, also witches and pagans are not as scary as y'all make them out to be
As long as you don't push your faith on them like christians of the past everything will be fine
@@holstonmatt You are correct but it's refreshing to read about Orthodox missions. They did not push. St. Herman of Alaska was a perfect example of a very recent mission that followed the same Spirit discernable St. Patrick's mission in Ireland and all those of the early Church. No coercion, no swords, not replacing culture but sanctifying it to God.
Lord knows I have many problems, but this is not one of them. My grandmother tried to get me to go to her Methodist church during my many atheist years; and when I finally started going to church, all she said was a puzzled "Orthodox... like Greek Orthodox?" And I just said "Yes Mimi, like Greek Orthodox," (I don't to a Greek parish) and that was enough for her.
I pray for the catechumen and seekers at my church who have this issue, that they make overcome it with grace.
I am protestant, but have been thinking about Orthodoxy a lot lately and and looking into it. I am 33 years old and have been following Jesus since I was 18 and by His grace I have a strong foundation. I have begun to incorporate various Orthodox practices in my life and though I am still a work in progress I see it bearing fruit in my life. I am planning to attend a Divine Liturgy very soon perhaps even this Sunday. I attended a Great Vesper a few weeks ago. Father Paul, thank you so much for this video. It was so gracious and pastoral. May God continue to bless you.
Sarut dreapta parinte...sa va dea Dumnezeu sanatate,explicati atat de bine ca si un copil poate intelege...Doamne ajuta!
I'm so grateful that my mother is so accepting of this faith...even if she is worried she'll never be able to stand for a whole service 😅 I told her I couldn't either at first.
I hope all those who see this video & needed it find peace ❤
Why should your mother stand for the entire service? Even in the most rigorous church’s in Eastern Europe benches on the outer edges of the nave are placed for the elderly and anyone having mobility issues.
@jameskeys971 "for the elderly" Mayne she's just 40 and doesn't view her as elderly enough to use it yet.
@@dravenocklost4253 my point was that ( assuming you are a new convert ) the reason to come to church is to worship. Putting artificial Barriers up to potential enquirers only defeats the purpose for inviting them. In the end it’s irrelevant whether one sits or stands with the exception of the gospel reading and the great procession. Converts tend to get wrapped up in the trappings of orthodoxy. The essence is worshiping the Holy Trinity in spirit and truth.
Things like vestments, etc are interesting but when one learns that the vestments are actually Byzantine court dress reality tends to intervene. My journey to Orthodoxy started in Texas and ended up in Greece where I now live. Best of luck in your searching and have a good journey!
If you will be kind enough to indulge me further one thing comes to mind as I review my early days in Orthodoxy. If I had to do it over again I would choose a parish with mostly cradle believers. My experience in an Antiochian convert parish was borderline toxic and with quite a few inquirers and “ recently illuminated” discussing the finer points of the sermon and the state of Orthodoxy worldwide must have been intolerable for those nearby who happened to listen in. Evangelicals ( I was one ) tend to wear their heart on their sleeve. You might find the cradle believers would rather talk of their golf score at coffee hour. Years later after serving as a treasurer I got to see who talked about these issues of importance and who actually did something constructive. It was humbling. My point in this rant is to keep yourself and those listening in to not be that guy on some internet blog five years from now who writes “ I was sold a bill of goods.” Orthodoxy is a marathon and not a sprint race.
@@jameskeys971 Yeah, I agree with you.
Please do the spouse video. This is a strangest issue i’ve had to navigate in my marriage.
I just told my parents last night I was exploring Orthodoxy and Catholicism. This video is so timely. Thank you!
I had my awakening in January, was torn between Catholicism & Orthodoxy, I just knew from what I had seen that Protestantism has no real tangible substance to it. Catholics and Orthodox both recognise 7 sacraments but I highly advise really studying their doctrinal differences and comparing it against scripture then trying to go to both mass and Divine Liturgy at least once and making your own decision. Proud to say I am a now a practicing Catholic, getting confirmed next Easter. ✝️🇻🇦
i pray it goes well for you, please pray for me too.
@@Christ_is_Merciful Thank you! I will say a prayer for you today.
@@dhdylanhuang Thank you for sharing!
My wife and I are both Christians she comes from a Pentecostal background and myself a Catholic. I have been at non denominational church’s for years and found orthodoxy 2 years ago. I see the truth and have acknowledged orthodoxy as the church Christ left us. I pray my wife sees the same but she has said deff not.
Thank you, Father. What a beautiful video! When I came into Orthodoxy I focused on converting myself; seeking repentance and Christ (mostly through the Jesus prayer.) By the time we first set foot in our parish (which we've never left since that day) my wife was reluctant but had already seen the change in me. Glory to God. Our kids were all in from day one. Haha.
Now, years later, my mother-in-law has joined The Church as well and my older sister is being brought into The Church in the Fall. Both of whom say it was the changes in me and in our family that brought them along first. Again, Glory to God!!!!
Now, and still, I often tell inquirers and Catechumens that my two favorite things to say to people are, "I don't know," and, "I'm not a priest." But I always follow it up with, "come and see!"
May God bless you. Thank you again for this. It will allow me to share these things without it being me sharing them. ☺️🙏
It's really encouraging to hear a priest on the other side of our nation say exactly what my priest and bishop have told me in this regard.
This is exactly what I needed today, I was just praying on this a few minutes ago and I was tearfully asking for the guidance and strength to persevere, even if it meant losing contact with my family. Thank you Father ☦
Thank you ,Father
☦️from Amsterdam 🌷🌷🌷
Thank you father. I have been struggling with this for a while, and right now it’s to a point where they’re mocking me. I try to stay silent and pray, but sometimes it gets to me. This video has helped a lot and has helped me to reflect on myself.
As someone who was born and raised in Utah and in the LDS church, this hit home for me.
It is hard to go through. Pray for me and my brother Father.
I wasn’t baptized, and I’ve been attending an Orthodox church for a couple of months now. I’ve been a catechumen, and I was talking to my mom(protestant) how I would probably be baptized maybe at the end of the year. She immediately told me that she doesn’t want me baptized until im 18. Please Pray for me and my situation. God bless☦️
Why would your mom want you to wait to get baptized?
@@towpics6388 I’m not sure, when I used to go to church with her at her protestant church, she put me in classes to get baptized, but now that I am instead attending a Orthodox church, she doesn’t want me to get baptized until I am 18, mostly because protestants don’t believe kids can get baptized but I am 16 turning 17 so I don’t know why she’s taking that action, but in the end we must trust in God’s will and plan.
Take your time. In the Orthodox Church as a convert you can be baptized at any age. Why the rush?
@@jeffevenkills5606Many Protestants baptize children just not infants
@@johnsambo9379If a person is ready that’s when as an adult they need to get baptized! No parent should keep them from getting baptized! It’s part of Salvation and should never be put off.
My family members are very good, bless them. ❤
Thank you, Fr. Paul, for this advice. Please make that video about situations where one of the spouses is not a believer.
This is a common issue these days, not only in America but also in the country I come from and other traditionally Orthodox nations like Greece, Serbia, Russia, etc. Although almost all of us are baptized in Orthodox church, only a few are actually trying to live the faith.
I was raised Pentecostal and now am in between Baptist/ non denominational or becoming catholic or orthodox. All I can say is the more I look and research and go no longer fully be Protestant. I’m going to go to an orthodox service soon. Pray for me, I’m torn between catholic and orthodoxy. I do however now realize they are the two oldest and most true of the churches and have stood the test of time.
Catholic and orthodox have been well known forms and dinominations of christianity in comparison to the rest. Orthodox has always been known to be the more correct version and dinomination of christianity.
Thank you so much for this video, this is something that I been going through with my beloved ones but being humble and keep with my prayers has helped soften this position. I am converting to the Orthodox Faith and hasn’t been an easy path but I am embracing the call of God, please pray for me
Fr. Paul please do make another video regarding a wife who is not Orthodox or is against Orthodoxy. What do you do with the children? Should we strictly press that they must be baptized Orthodox?
Thank you for this video. I’ve been praying my family and girlfriend will be understanding. The past year I started to study the early church and realized how far off the mark I’ve been my whole life. Prayers for anyone else on their journey for the Truth.
Thank you! Mulțumim mult!
Great advice! Thank you, Father Paul! From my own experience it takes time. I wish I was given these tips earlier as it seems like I've made most of the mistakes mentioned))
I can relate to this topic because sometimes my parents tend to sometimes argue about orthodoxy especially sometimes if they don't like certain aspects of orthodoxy or don't like specific services in orthodoxy and how its conducted. Then they compare it to catholic services since my parents used to be catholic and then they make an argument about how they prefer catholisam and dis-like orthodoxy especially when my relatives get involved in covincing them and imposing there views on my parents it then makes my parents argue about it. I don't like to argue. I would rather there be peace but sometimes my parents insist on arguing with me about it which is upsetting.I try to make them sometimes like it but it aways ends up in an argument. although mt parents refuse to get re-baptized as an orthodox convert in fear of what the priest would do if they found out they were catholic. I am proud to be a Coptic Orthodox Christian and always will be. I am glad that I have been raised in orthodoxy and baptized in an orthodox church. Its annoying when my relatives impose there anti-orthodox views on my parents.
I really like your video.Thanks for the advice Fr.Paul. I like the part where you said " agree to disagree". Its a good way to end an argument and to prevent it from escalating further. Thanks for the advice Fr.Paul
You are phenomenal Father Paul, God Bless!
Hello Father Paul,
I am incredibly grateful for the insight and advice you gave in this video. Your guidance enabled me to have a meaningful conversation with my father about my inquiry into Orthodoxy. Despite his general aversion to the Church as a whole (which stemmed from him seeing his friends and family suffer at the hands of certain Evangelical church leaders), your advice helped me convey that it was his own teachings on the importance of truth-seeking that led me to this path.
Although I have yet to discuss this with my mother (she is asleep at the time of posting this comment), she shares my father's sentiments. However, your advice has already made such a significant impact that my father is now willing to speak with her and assure her that my inquiry into Orthodoxy is neither “irrational” nor “dangerous” as they might otherwise say. Obviously I won’t leave it to my father to speak solely on my behalf. I will certainly speak directly with my mother too. That said, getting my father to do a full 180 on this issue is super important to getting my mother to be more accepting.
Thank you once again for your advice. I am excited to begin participating in Orthodoxy.
Loving the background ! 😍
Please make the video about one’s spouse struggling with this!
Fr. Thank you for the wisdom.
thank you Fr. Paul, super helpful, God bless
This video was exactly what I needed
Thank you! God bless! ☦
Thank you Father!
Glory to God
I feel that it is both a good and a bad thing. And your family objects one it's a struggle it's something that God wants you to go through to better yourself and through you becoming better. Overcoming the challenges and tribulations that God has let out before you is a good thing to struggle for Christ. But the personal response should be to pray for the family. I became Orthodox and my family Saint is Saint Ignatius and I pray that he will intercede for my family the Lord will soften my family's Hearts to Orthodox.
I love this advice Father. Thank you so much for sharing this. Going to keep positive in my life and continue to follow your lessons.
Thank you so much, my mothers(who is agnostic) relationship with me has really been falling apart because of our disagreements on Christianity but luckily she's been supporting me on this journey to Christ but is really skeptical about orthodoxy because she believes it rituals and the reason why because she mostly comes from a protestant background. I've also been when explaining orthodoxy to her in an irrational way. Thank you and god bless
This may seem a little weird for me to be commenting, As a mom who is prodistant with a grown child who is converting to orthodoxy, I agree with these words and advice. I think that for me feeling uncertain comes from my lack of knowledge of Orthodoxy, I have had to research and listen to many videos online to understand. I know not every prodistant is willing to do that.
Thank you. My family is all Protestant. Grew up Baptist. There’s so much disapproval on what I’ve found and it’s tough. My faith is the most important part of my life and it’s all I want to talk about, but I can’t around them. Makes me not even want to be around my family, is that bad?
Happening with me.
My wife has even threatened divorce. I'm 69 and in poor health. She knows that she has the "upper hand." Not what one would call Godly love. Prayers appreciated. Bless you all. 🙏☦️🙏
"If the world hates you
Remember
They hated me first"
- Jesus Christ
I’m a trad catholic. I was raised Protestant, my. Dad was Ukrainian Greek Catholic so I used to go with my aunt who sang in the choir sometimes. My mother was Calvinist and despised my dad’s church. As an adult I went through the whole nine yards of different Christian sects. Evangelical fundamentalism, hyper charismatic churches and even a Pentecostal church. Ugh. But I always missed the divine liturgy. So I became Anglican for a few years but we see what happened to them. Then I tried the Latin rite Catholic Church which I loved and joined. Everyone told me I was going to hell but I didn’t care. I attended mass every day, sang Gregorian chant in the choir and for that five years I truly loved the church. Then I moved back east to novus ordo hell. And this bergoglio is a heretic and the RCC is collapsing before our eyes. I’m not going to worship with the Uniates because I don’t think the RCC and orthodoxy should unite unless Rome repents of its great sins. So, . I’ve been studying orthodoxy for several years. I’m already familiar with Church Slavonic and the liturgy of St. John christosum. And I’m going to start attending the RO church this Sunday. Eastern and oriental orthodoxy are the last holdouts in Christendom. I’ve never considered a change to a liturgical church without much study on my own too, especially in church history and the doctrine of the faith I’m interested in. All my Catholic friends have told me I’m going to hell now too. So the Protestants and the Catholics have damned me to hell. . So I don’t care what they say or think. If God is leading me to orthodoxy, I’m going to listen to him.
If Catholics are saying that they are judging you which the Church would say is a great sin! Protestants don’t know any better as they are already in a false doctrine. Follow Christ NOT people!
Told a friend i went to the orthodox church vespers service last night. He said, "shame on you I thought you knew better
My dad accused me of blasphemy for denying the state of Israel is a fulfillment of prophecy... Orthodox obviously aren't zionists so this is a huge flammable point in my family's view of my investigation of Orthodoxy.
I am a babtist in a babtist family and when I saw orthodoxy I saw truth. But I don’t know exactly how to tell them about my interest or what I want to do about it. Any advice?
Talking to an Orthodox priest is your best choice...
Have lost 4 really good evangelical friends over 6 months of my conversion. Ended with much malice and negativity from them. I unfortunately had to cut ties to avoid further bad dialogue.
I'm also chiming in to request a spouse video. I was recently baptized, Glory to God, and my husband, who is atheist, is not pleased with any of this. He views religion as a tool of control and a sort of crutch. It doesn't help that some of the Ascetic disciplines appear to an outsider to have arbitrary rules, such as fasting. I'm still so new and cannot explain everything well yet. He has no interest in meeting anyone from church either. I'm just praying. It's in God's hands!
I'm in this boat.
I brought my wife into the Lutheran faith, and I'm now seriously studying Orthodoxy. She ain't happy. For years I drilled her into the 5 Solas, and she doesn't understand why I'm rejecting that.
A friend has done the same thing when he left Pentecostalism for Orthodoxy. His wife in protest still attends the Evangelical church.
I don't want to be separated from my wife in worship, but I will not compromise.
I did the exact same thing. You may be studying but your wife has to go through her own process. My wife really connected with the lives of the saints and catechism class but it was a slow process that we had to walk together even though I wanted to sprint ahead it required patience on my end. Let her know you love her and you love Christ and nothing has changed in that regard. It’s a shock to the relationship at least that’s how my wife explained it.
Your journey gives me encouragement - my wife and I are Catholic and I'm ready to become a Catechuman but her heart isn't there yet. She isn't averse to Orthodoxy but wants more time. Pray for us brother!
I recommend Staying Lutheran with your wife
@@Mason_O The Body of Christ our Lord is undivided brother, there is only one Body, and His body is both of flesh and of spirit
@@SILLY_BILLY_777what does it mean His body is flesh and spirit?
Bless Father. I was wondering if you would be interested in coming on our podcast and YT channel for an interview?
I'm not orthodox yet but i would like starting this way because i think is my way. However some catholic can't accept that there is other truth faith than their one.
In their mentality doesnt exist other truth faith than catholic.
Isn't easy as i wait it
They are right; only they misinterpret what "Catholic" means; it's us the Orthodox, not them Papists. [Tongue in cheek but also serious]
May God help you in your search.
Yeah, being crazy ain't easy.
@@acebailey2478 Look into metaphysics and the transcendental argument for God
Could someone let me know if I go to a Greek or Russian orthodox service will it be in English?
A lot of parishes are doing half English/*insert language* and alternating throughout the service.
That’s what my local Serbian parish does
@@Aaron.T2005 ah okay, thank you!
What do I do if I am a minor and my parents don’t want me to go?? I can’t even drive…
@@perisleaf Email a local priest and start talking with them
Dumb question but do i have to be greek to join a greek church?
not at all: All are welcome.
No you can be any ethnicity / race
No bro. Love the profile pic lol. I’m Hispanic and I attend a beauty Greek Orthodox Church. God bless ☦️🤍
I am racially Irish and I am a Reader in ROCOR and was Baptised by Arabs.
It doesn't matter to God.
@@St.Irenaeus Thanks for the encouragement!
Everything is so seasoned with salt.
Why is it mostly young men?
@@Badger5893 We have found the world offers nothing, so we look to the only One who offers anything, which is the Good Lord our God, and this is His church, so we will take up our cross and follow Him
I rather don't want to make my husband sad and split the family during liturgies, because we are roman catholic now and I was really devoted converted catholic when I married, I still love latin prayers. Now I've been catholic for 14 years (and married for 11 years), and I have more and more problems with the papacy and I've found I don't like newer catholic saints teaching too much, even the most popular, like Teresie de Lisieux. I like her, I just can't read her books, too much hysteria and romanticism. Same with Therese of Avila. Also I don't like too much the catholic way of prayer (Lectia Divina, where you imagine yourself in bible situations, or the spiritual exercises after Ignatius of Loyola - very popular, catholics love them. I find them dangerous and unimportant). Or that horrible charismatic movement, loved by franciscans, and their praying in "tongues". Crazy. But I don't want to say catholicism has no truth at all. My plan is to stay still, without any rash decisions, and to read authors I like more :)) No fights.
One Gospel:
Gospel of Reconciliation.
Jesus Christ came into THEIR kingdom
to reconcile fallen angels unto Himself.
We are the fallen angels (ELOHIM) kept in DNA chains of darkness.
If you do not confess being a fallen angel in Lucifer's kingdom, then you are an unbeliever.
Unbeliever = those that claim to be made in the image of ELOHIM(gods).
REPENT FALLEN ANGELS.
Perhaps there's such a thing as "too many icons"