I apologize for the long post, but I felt it was worth it for anyone wanting to know who Vladika Lazar Puhalo, formerly Lev Puhalo, is as a person. For the sake of those who have some sense of him, I will add that I grew up in the 1970s in Father Seraphim and Herman's Platina monastery. In the 1980s, I was blessed to have been taken in by Vladika and his monastery, and for the first time, I was introduced to the reality that one could serve Orthodoxy as a monastic, and be sound of mind, body, and soul. In my experience, Vladika Lazar is truly a legendary figure. A spiritual father to countless souls, a true father to a select, privileged few. Looking back now that I am older and 'wiser', what I always found so fascinating about Vladika Lazar, beyond just his compassion and kindness, is his unwillingness to concede to fanaticism in the Orthodox Church. This has resulted in his having to move between jurisdictions, being ever persecuted, ever seeking a healthy bastion of Christianity to stand with. I am unsure if he ever found what he was seeking, resulting in forming his own parish of healthy, like-minded individuals. Jealousy and mental illness in his opponents have been outlandish and downright embarrassing on their part - yet he has always persevered. To know him and those who have countered him, is to respect and cherish him more. If you researched him, you would find pages of 'Christians' calling him anything from Protestant, to living a life incognito of a former identity. Once you read deeply enough, you would see a repeat of nonsensical, stone-casting from people/priests, who were clearly envious of his intellect and clarity of mind. On a related note, Vladika has always had an attitude of 'what would Christ do in this situation?' when it came to translating convoluted dogma, measuring the influences of other religious effects on alleged Orthodoxy, and downright countering people dealing with various emotional issues. If he saw cultism, he called it out. If he saw Augustinian theology posing as Orthodoxy, he called it out. If he saw a priest or bishop misleading their flock, he called it out. And for this, he has earned the respect of many and the enmity and scorn of those he has examined. As I stated above, Vladika Lazar has been outspoken against Orthodox cultism, especially 70s era monastic groups that took advantage of the movements of the time and has countered irrational dogma that was steeped in various forms of canonical extremism. His progressive, seemingly 'liberal' opinion on controversial topics, made him forward thinking long before it was popular to do so. And, as I stated above, he has always had to deal with the repercussions. Sadly, people steeped deeply in a judgmental and clearly un-Christian fanaticism, have quite literally made up anything they could think of to demean him, even down to his very name. Meanwhile, all these years have passed, and he is still one of the most spiritually pure and wise people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. In short, I like to refer to this video as a small token of who the man has always been.
The simpler version is, "he has applied Biblical teaching to his own life, to obedience to God. He has dealt with his own fallen nature and sin before God, and has called out church leaders who refuse to do the same. Not in hatred, but from love for their souls."
thank you very much for letting him be more known... i just wondered who he is... it is pity i cannot meet him 😞 (i am from czech republic but live in the uk). would listen more from/about him.... let see what he wrote 🙂(books)
Bishop lazar is a very kind and thoughtful man. I met him once. My friend Dustin told me to kiss lazars hand and ask him for a blessing. Then Bishop lazar grabbed my hand with great speed and kissed me on the hand with the pure love of a father and laughed saying "oh! I thought you were talking to me". He blessed me with the genuine love of his heart that acts to be like Christ. His love is great and the reason why he is worthy in the eyes of God for great wisdom. Consideration in the persute of truth is a pure reflection of compassion in the heart and the minds connection to it.
Thank you Father, your message is clear direction on what I should focus on, let my heart allow to connect with my mind. Mind is easy to change, heart is the hardest. You were praying the Jesus prayer while talking to us. May that way of thinking about God shine on me during the time my heart is hard.
We can't continue in Love unless we put away selfish ambitions. "Follow the Spirit as your guide that you may resist the flesh:" He is saying "Examine yourselves whether you are in the Faith." "Faith works by Love" the examples given are challenge to Love. "Keep yourselves in the Love of God" "Kept by the power of God." Agreement with God is Rejoicing in His forgiveness for ever, persevering in prayer with thanksgiving in everything, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Not conceited thinking we got this is the challenge to examine ourselves he is saying. St John of the cross says our greatest challenge is uncertain times: Also saying the same diferey. The dark night of the soul: what Jesus referred as "The hour and power of darkness before His death, where his disciples were powerless to follow. Neither can we unless filled and carried by Holy Spirit in the sufferings of Christ. What is happening now in the world, the war against Jesus and the Church. "Through much trouble we enter the Kingdom of God."
Thank you for posting this. I am Catachumin and this is the biggest wall I'm facing. How to tare down the huge idol called me, Michael, my I self. Thank you for your guidance
A sideways coment ! One of the ways that I have found out more about myself, is through basic self awarness exercises. Just being aware of my body, my heart beating, aware of my thoughts, feelings and sensations. ' I am aware thereofor I am'. Also agre with you about hating others is a form of hating our reflections. Ar you aware of Bio- spiritual focusing ? I have preactisd this for some time, its an amazing root into self knowedge !
I would love to be part of orthodoxy, but 20 years of inner and outer research had me understand that, for example, reincarnation is true. This would never be accepted and I would be constantly approached by people that haven't done thourogh and deep research to change my mind.
This looked interesting when I first read the title of the video. But what is this, a priest in a Christian church telling us to think about people we hate and people we think are going to hell? Isn't this bordering on blasphemy? If we see ourselves as Christians, we should love God and our neighbor as yourself and not indulge in hatred and hell! Mark 12:31 Next comes this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these.” Nor can we interpret the scriptures as we think suits our opinions. Jesus teaches us to think critically, also regarding source criticism of the scriptures, please see Mark 10:5 and John 8:1-11. ❤️
You should have watched beyond that point and you would have heard him say that "moral outrage is a form of confession" because what we hate in others is what we hate about ourselves. The magnifying glass was on the Christian all along, while playing to the great unspoken truth of Christianity... We're a hateful and insecure bunch... Which drives more people away from Christ than the world ever could. He knows his audience, and he knows himself. Over this past year I have gained Gnosis of that concept myself, as I've tried to carry my cross in the way Jesus calls us to... And found that unconditional love of your neighbor, is as difficult a task as raising the dead.
@@Coyote191-ov5kg Sure people can say and do weird things but we don't go around hating other people or speculating about hell for it. It is probably more of that it is regrettable for that person to be stuck in desire. If we were to do that, we probably haven’t even chosen and taken the first step in the right direction. Who said loving God and your fellow man is easy, well it is hard work. ❤️🕊️
You say the same differently: we can't continue in Love unless we put away selfish ambitions. "Follow the Spirit as your guide that you may resist the flesh:" He is saying "Examine yourselves whether you are in the Faith." Faith works by Love" Notice the examples given where we are challenged to Love. "Keep yourselves in the Love of God" "Kept by the power of God." Agreement with God is Rejoicing in His forgiveness for ever, persevering in prayer, with thanksgiving in everything, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Not conceited thinking we got this is the challenge to examine ourselves that he is saying. St John of the cross says our greatest challenge is uncertain times: Also saying the same diferey. The dark night of the soul: what Jesus referred as "The hour and power of darkness before His death where his disciples were powerless to follow. Neither can we unless filled and carried by Holy Spirit in the sufferings of Christ. What is happening now in the world, the war turns against Jesus and the Church. "Through much trouble we enter the Kingdom of God."
This video is over 14 years old and just showed up in my recommended feed today, thanks be to God ☦️
Amen
Glory to God!❤
Glory to God!❤
I apologize for the long post, but I felt it was worth it for anyone wanting to know who Vladika Lazar Puhalo, formerly Lev Puhalo, is as a person. For the sake of those who have some sense of him, I will add that I grew up in the 1970s in Father Seraphim and Herman's Platina monastery. In the 1980s, I was blessed to have been taken in by Vladika and his monastery, and for the first time, I was introduced to the reality that one could serve Orthodoxy as a monastic, and be sound of mind, body, and soul.
In my experience, Vladika Lazar is truly a legendary figure. A spiritual father to countless souls, a true father to a select, privileged few.
Looking back now that I am older and 'wiser', what I always found so fascinating about Vladika Lazar, beyond just his compassion and kindness, is his unwillingness to concede to fanaticism in the Orthodox Church. This has resulted in his having to move between jurisdictions, being ever persecuted, ever seeking a healthy bastion of Christianity to stand with. I am unsure if he ever found what he was seeking, resulting in forming his own parish of healthy, like-minded individuals. Jealousy and mental illness in his opponents have been outlandish and downright embarrassing on their part - yet he has always persevered.
To know him and those who have countered him, is to respect and cherish him more. If you researched him, you would find pages of 'Christians' calling him anything from Protestant, to living a life incognito of a former identity. Once you read deeply enough, you would see a repeat of nonsensical, stone-casting from people/priests, who were clearly envious of his intellect and clarity of mind.
On a related note, Vladika has always had an attitude of 'what would Christ do in this situation?' when it came to translating convoluted dogma, measuring the influences of other religious effects on alleged Orthodoxy, and downright countering people dealing with various emotional issues. If he saw cultism, he called it out. If he saw Augustinian theology posing as Orthodoxy, he called it out. If he saw a priest or bishop misleading their flock, he called it out. And for this, he has earned the respect of many and the enmity and scorn of those he has examined.
As I stated above, Vladika Lazar has been outspoken against Orthodox cultism, especially 70s era monastic groups that took advantage of the movements of the time and has countered irrational dogma that was steeped in various forms of canonical extremism. His progressive, seemingly 'liberal' opinion on controversial topics, made him forward thinking long before it was popular to do so. And, as I stated above, he has always had to deal with the repercussions.
Sadly, people steeped deeply in a judgmental and clearly un-Christian fanaticism, have quite literally made up anything they could think of to demean him, even down to his very name. Meanwhile, all these years have passed, and he is still one of the most spiritually pure and wise people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. In short, I like to refer to this video as a small token of who the man has always been.
The simpler version is, "he has applied Biblical teaching to his own life, to obedience to God. He has dealt with his own fallen nature and sin before God, and has called out church leaders who refuse to do the same. Not in hatred, but from love for their souls."
thank you very much for letting him be more known... i just wondered who he is... it is pity i cannot meet him 😞 (i am from czech republic but live in the uk). would listen more from/about him.... let see what he wrote 🙂(books)
Thank you.
Bishop lazar is a very kind and thoughtful man. I met him once. My friend Dustin told me to kiss lazars hand and ask him for a blessing. Then Bishop lazar grabbed my hand with great speed and kissed me on the hand with the pure love of a father and laughed saying "oh! I thought you were talking to me". He blessed me with the genuine love of his heart that acts to be like Christ. His love is great and the reason why he is worthy in the eyes of God for great wisdom. Consideration in the persute of truth is a pure reflection of compassion in the heart and the minds connection to it.
At 70 it seems I still have it all to learn.
You are in good company.
Me as well. Will
Listen 2x
80 and wondering if there's enough time left
I just wanted to thank you for these videos and for the fact they are so regular. I get so much from each one 🙏
Thank you Father, your message is clear direction on what I should focus on, let my heart allow to connect with my mind. Mind is easy to change, heart is the hardest. You were praying the Jesus prayer while talking to us. May that way of thinking about God shine on me during the time my heart is hard.
Beautiful message. God bless.👍🏻☦️
Glory to the SAVIOR
Amen! Gloy to Jesus Christ!
We can't continue in Love unless we put away selfish ambitions. "Follow the Spirit as your guide that you may resist the flesh:" He is saying "Examine yourselves whether you are in the Faith." "Faith works by Love" the examples given are challenge to Love. "Keep yourselves in the Love of God" "Kept by the power of God." Agreement with God is Rejoicing in His forgiveness for ever, persevering in prayer with thanksgiving in everything, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Not conceited thinking we got this is the challenge to examine ourselves he is saying. St John of the cross says our greatest challenge is uncertain times: Also saying the same diferey. The dark night of the soul: what Jesus referred as "The hour and power of darkness before His death, where his disciples were powerless to follow. Neither can we unless filled and carried by Holy Spirit in the sufferings of Christ. What is happening now in the world, the war against Jesus and the Church. "Through much trouble we enter the Kingdom of God."
Thank you for posting this.
I am Catachumin and this is the biggest wall I'm facing. How to tare down the huge idol called me, Michael, my I self.
Thank you for your guidance
Writing down a list of people you believe will go to Hell seems a bit hilarious to me.
Christ is king.
Slava Bozhe!
A sideways coment ! One of the ways that I have found out more about myself, is through basic self awarness exercises. Just being aware of my body, my heart beating, aware of my thoughts, feelings and sensations. ' I am aware thereofor I am'. Also agre with you about hating others is a form of hating our reflections. Ar you aware of Bio- spiritual focusing ? I have preactisd this for some time, its an amazing root into self knowedge !
We hide feom ourselves. Do you mean hiding from God. Talking about egotism. Hiding from ourselves!
Wow. This is important to hear and understand. It would be good to see more information about this video - the name of the speaker, location, etc.
Wow. Just wow.
Amazing Valdika. Thank You
Is there ego in the heart?
Bang! I love you.
❤
I would love to be part of orthodoxy, but 20 years of inner and outer research had me understand that, for example, reincarnation is true. This would never be accepted and I would be constantly approached by people that haven't done thourogh and deep research to change my mind.
You would be surprised at the variety of such beliefs held by various people in the Orthodox Church - not "doctrinally" of course, but comfortably.
@@allsaintsmonastery Oh, is that so? Are you a priest or a monk? Which country do you live in? I live in Sweden.
Thank you for taking the time to comment.@@M-i-k-a-e-l
How do you know its true
Lazar Puhalo spouts blatant heresy
How so?
If you’re unable to comprehend his point, you accuse him of heresy? Your ego is blinding you!!
This looked interesting when I first read the title of the video. But what is this, a priest in a Christian church telling us to think about people we hate and people we think are going to hell? Isn't this bordering on blasphemy? If we see ourselves as Christians, we should love God and our neighbor as yourself and not indulge in hatred and hell!
Mark 12:31 Next comes this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these.”
Nor can we interpret the scriptures as we think suits our opinions. Jesus teaches us to think critically, also regarding source criticism of the scriptures, please see Mark 10:5 and John 8:1-11. ❤️
You are perfectly welcome to hate all you wish, even to consume you soul with hate if you wish
You should have watched beyond that point and you would have heard him say that "moral outrage is a form of confession" because what we hate in others is what we hate about ourselves.
The magnifying glass was on the Christian all along, while playing to the great unspoken truth of Christianity... We're a hateful and insecure bunch... Which drives more people away from Christ than the world ever could.
He knows his audience, and he knows himself. Over this past year I have gained Gnosis of that concept myself, as I've tried to carry my cross in the way Jesus calls us to... And found that unconditional love of your neighbor, is as difficult a task as raising the dead.
@@Coyote191-ov5kg Sure people can say and do weird things but we don't go around hating other people or speculating about hell for it. It is probably more of that it is regrettable for that person to be stuck in desire. If we were to do that, we probably haven’t even chosen and taken the first step in the right direction. Who said loving God and your fellow man is easy, well it is hard work. ❤️🕊️
Priests are self appointed. The Lord Jesus Christ does not choose or appoint priests. He chooses apostles,prophets,evangelists, pastors and teachers.
Actually chosen by the Holy Spirit through the Church.@@PaulWashington..
Of course we are watching the video. Thanks for the thoughts 🙂
No. Our greatest challenge is learning to love unconditionally
It is a part of it...these words he speaks are, also truth.
You say the same differently: we can't continue in Love unless we put away selfish ambitions. "Follow the Spirit as your guide that you may resist the flesh:" He is saying "Examine yourselves whether you are in the Faith." Faith works by Love" Notice the examples given where we are challenged to Love. "Keep yourselves in the Love of God" "Kept by the power of God." Agreement with God is Rejoicing in His forgiveness for ever, persevering in prayer, with thanksgiving in everything, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Not conceited thinking we got this is the challenge to examine ourselves that he is saying. St John of the cross says our greatest challenge is uncertain times: Also saying the same diferey. The dark night of the soul: what Jesus referred as "The hour and power of darkness before His death where his disciples were powerless to follow. Neither can we unless filled and carried by Holy Spirit in the sufferings of Christ. What is happening now in the world, the war turns against Jesus and the Church. "Through much trouble we enter the Kingdom of God."
Do you have a prescription for how to do that other than what was said here?