Father Spyridon, I want to thank you also, you and Father Peter are voices in the wilderness! I am encouraging all true Orthodox, [I know that word is an Oxymoron] to support our faithful Priests and Hierarchs through prayers and donations if possible. Also, share these videos, there are a lot of mixed messages in our Orthodox communities coming from surprise sources. As we struggle during these times we should take this as an opportunity to grow in our faith. We must read the Sacred Scriptures along with the Church’s teachings explaining the Scriptures we are reading. Unlike the Protestants, the Scriptures are not for our personal interpretations. We should make efforts to learn about our Saints, they experienced many hardships during their lives. Their hardships should be guidance and roadmap for us in the year 2020 and beyond. I hate to use this term but it applies, the genie is out of the bottle! For those familiar with the etiology of the genie, may understand the point I am making. For the first time in history throughout the world, many Churches were and are shutdown. We were told and is being told we can’t receive the Sacraments of our Church. We are being told we can’t see our physician and his physician assistances. I better shortened my message, let’s pray for our clerics and one another! Χριστὸς ἀνέστη Christ is Risen! Γρηγόρης
God bless you Father, for speaking the truth; that which is rooted in Christ, not the world. I can't tell you how light my heart has become, to see a Father of the Church say what needs to be said, and heard. Glory to God, through, and for all things.
I'm not Orthodox but want to be. The way the churches responded to this pandemic made me doubt a bit. But your videos help me. Thank you Father Peter. Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have Mercy on me a sinner.
Think of church history and how many times large portions of the faithful - including the bishops - fell away - and yet - of course - the church continued on in the Saints. Our authority is always in Christ Who lives in His saints and speaks through His saints. The holy ones today are unanimous in their rebuttal and refusal of the worldly spirit which is creeping into the church through the various delusions and heresies of our day.
Thank you Father Peter Heers, your fearlessness in the face of demonic lies is an inspiration. May God to continue to Bless and guide you and your family. With Much Love and Affection, yours, Daniel Alva
Thank you Fr. Heers for this challenging reflection. As a former Baptist pastor in process of becoming Orthodox I was deeply- disappointed may not be the right word, but that is the direction- at the unreflective knee jerk response of some Orthodox leadership to the crisis. (Having said that I too was completely caught off guard by this thing, and found myself responding with little Christian biblical theological reflection.) I thank God for your inspired challenge to the Church
My prayer does go out for our bishops and priests, for they are the ones who OWN THE KEYS to the Churches!!! May God help them, (and all of us!) WALK THE TALK!!!
Great message, Father Heers. "Signs of the times", indeed. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us sinners! Help us to stand for You and not against You, make us unafraid!
What difficult times to be alive, I wondered when our clergy would speak straight about these issues. I have been skeptical of the need to shut down Churches, yes we are to obey civil authority so long as they do not violate or impeach the practice of faith and life. I have been weighing and measuring the views being put forth by Bishops, elders, Scripture, saints Etc. I find that you raise many of the questions I could not put words to. From what I gather, I see that this way of closing the Churches, limiting the number of people in Church and so on and so forth, is not the right way forward. We have seeded too much power and control too the State and thus the devil. Since politics here is just two sides of the same coin and the only ones getting rich are the enemies of God and the political technocrats. This is allowed by our good and gracious God in His divine Providence, certainly We must hold our bishops accountable with respect and honor their position in the Church, but we need not obey if they prove too be "wolves in sheep's clothing". We must pray that God guide us and give us wisdom in these end times. Thank you for your podcasts! Please do more on the virus situation and how to navigate this days ahead.
It’s true when the corona virus hit and I heard churches closing. I said to myself the final days are upon us. We all need to kneel down and pray he is giving us that time to come to him. When not taking the body and blood of Christ as we are used to it has been taken away from us I understood and tears rolled down my eyes knowing the time has come and our eyes will see the final days. oh lord Jesus Christ son of God have mercy on your world and on me a sinner. Glory to God forever
Adolf Schicklegruber it breaks my heart to know that today Palm Sunday and going into Holy Week I can’t stop the tears. Everyone have a blessed Holy Week pascha is around the corner
Rockin Raffi's Home Cooking I am with you my friend. We are really being attacked and our shepherds seem to be hired hands. What a trying time. God bless you.
Adolf Schicklegruber god bless you too my brother and God grant peace and be with us all through these times that our eyes are witnessing. Glory be to God for everything
Clarity! How vitally important it is to hold fast to faith, to all that our Lord Jesus Christ taught us. Thank God for the livestream broadcasts that have been such a lifeline at this time. May the holy mother the Theotokos pray for many conversions to orthodoxy . Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us sinners
Great podcasts so far Fr Peter.... in fact, all the videos on your channel are excellent. For as long as you can gather strength from Christ, keep em coming! Thank you!
Father, thank God for these simple, yet powerful, reminders of our Christian life. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." Pray we don't lose these gifts due to negligence toward Christ.
🌿🕊☦️🕊🌿🙏🙏🙏 Our church was never closed since the pandemic and all services have been served yes with all precautions, regulations and today all people returned back attending the services Thank you Fr. Peter for the vise words but it procrastinated against the Lord Jesus Christ & Christianity God gave us this world as a gift that we have enjoyed each blessings each moment that everyone, everyone will enter the Kingdom of heaven but not “who is a fearful” will not 💔
Thank you for speaking the truth for all to hear! I cannot say I am surprised by our government officials tyrannical decisions, but closing or limiting the churches... is just heart wrenching.
When I saw you posted something on this current “situation” I told my wife this was my only chance for a true orthodox response. We’ve been really struggling feeling alone and wondering why our church would cancel herself during the holiest time of year... even the day of pascha. Father, bless. Thank you for giving my family some hope that orthodox in the us are not all a lost cause. Please keep making these during this time.
Rebellion? No, of course not. God forbid. The first rebel was the fallen angel. We rebel, but only against our passions, behind which stand the enemy. FAITHFULNESS is what we struggle to obtain and exhibit. God will take care of all the rest.
@@TheRealRealOK Brother, I didnt encourage rebellion. I dont encourage rebellion. And no they dont agree. Fr Dc Ananias told me a lay Orthodox to "fast from the Eucharist"...that i was acting like an "entitled angry child" and compared our situation to St Mary Of Egypt. I didnt hear anything like that from Fr Heers. Even if Fr Heers privately agreed with him this video is far more pastoral and helpful than calling lay people names and writing off objections as simply prelest or convert enthusiasm.
Fr. Peter, Great talk and very encouraging. I have one observation and one question. First, I don't see how it is possible for us Orthodox to be incarnational and sacramental and at the same time virtual. It seems to me that many American Orthodox leaders and laity are content with virtual services while other Orthodox Christians who desire the sacrament of marriage,confession and Holy communion are being marginalized. Secondly, my question is where can Orthodox Christians turn or at least have an alternative to receiving these Holy mysteries in a time where there may be no end in sight to fulfill our spiritual needs. In my view as as a laymen it seems that most leadership from all expressions of Christianity and the way they have conducted themselves during this crisis has been frankly disheartening. When we look at the way the Church has dealt with pandemics, plagues natural disasters, wars etc. historically juxtaposed to the way we are dealing with this situation (which in my estimation does not rise to the same level as other pandemics) is quite shameful. The response I have seen from not just leadership but even many (not all) laity has revealed the true faithlessness and cowardice of the modern Church. As you pointed out these same "Christians" will expose themselves to crowds of people in grocery stores to ensure they have physical sustenance, and home improvement centers to make sure their homes and lawns are pristine but it seems when it comes to their spiritual life church is internalized as an extracurricular activity.
We cannot continue to deny the faithful Holy Communion and be true to ourselves, our identity as the Body of Christ, the continuation of the Incarnation. Of course, it needs to be said that there are several Local Churches which are not doing this, but rather are continuing to serve and commune, such as the Churches of Georgia, Bulgaria and, I believe, Serbia, and ROCOR, in many cases (unclear to me if there is a united stance or if it differs in each country). Also, please know that there are many prominent voices within the Greek speaking Orthodox world which are standing against the “virtual” reality stance, such as Metropolitan Neophytos and Met. Athanasius in Cyprus, Nektarios in Kerkyra (Corfu), and prominent clergy, not to mention many clergy who are going underground and liturgizing in the “catacombs” and communing people (as many as is possible) behind closed doors. So, perhaps we should understand that, somewhat like in times of persecution, the Church today continues on, true to Herself, Her Identity, in spite of official declarations to the contrary in such examples and many others unknown to us. I will speak of one such case in an upcoming episode: Fr. George Skinas in Athens.
@@OrthodoxEthos The one Orthodox Church in my community is holding services with 10 people at a time. It is a ROCOR Church and is a small church. The time I attended there were maybe thirty people there.
You hit the nail in the head. I fill the need to pray and the need to gather in church with my brothers and sisters even more than before. But my church is afraid. I am not i trust in Jesus.
How should those who wish to convert find salvation when the church doors are closed? Especially during this fearful time when many are given a measure of clarity on their own mortality.
I also would like any info on how to convert at this time.I have been searching for the truth my entire life and just in last few months i have discovered it.I have been reading and watching everything I can learning as much as I can but now I know I must show my faith and be baptized.
I ask for your forgiveness, as I am no way an expert interpreter of prophecies, and I urge anyone to correct me if I mislead or scandalize anyone. Having said that, I offer the following thoughts as comfort. Many of our Orthodox Saints are in agreement, that despite the cunning one’s attempt to enslave the world with current world events, Christ will overturn these plans, and instead cleanse our world of the disarray that we have been living for so many decades now. In fact, according to St Paisios, after the upcoming world events, Orthodoxy will triumph and spread throughout the world, there won’t be one person on this earth that won’t believe. Indeed, for Christ loves His creation soooo much, that He will gives us all the opportunity to return to Him (if we so choose), before the end times. But until that day comes, we all need to be strong in the Faith in order to be able to withstand what’s coming. Which is why prayer (and repentance) is so important now in order for Christ to give us the strength we need. And as some of you are catechumens, I would also add the following : maintain your thirst for Orthodoxy.... for Christ! And indeed, when the church’s reopen, He will surely reward your thirst with the sacrament of Baptism.
FOR ALL TRUTH SEEKERS: know it is The Most High God Who is drawing you to Himself, and the work He has began in you, He Will complete! For it is He Who is the Author and Finisher of our faith! Wait on the Lord... Holy Scripture says again and again: "Wait on the Lord" He does NOT disappoint!!!
@@basilomologitis9646 brother, the Truth will be preached to all, all people then living, who have never heard it preached, will hear it (as opposed to hearing all manner of heresies preached), but that does not necessarily mean all will accept it. However, we know from Scripture that from every tribe, nation, race, & linguistic group there will be those who will believe, accept, & actually be saved, such that on the Last Day, they will be among those on His right side. That's my understanding. Fr will correct, if I'm wrong or anyone else is, so that we don't persist in our misunderstanding. May the Lord strengthen us & guide us always.
There is also an inconsistence when the Hierarchy locks the faithful out of their churches as they and their families (in some cases) continue to commune the Body and Blood of our Lord. Forgive me a sinner Fr. Heers but this troubles my heart greatly.
That sin for which you are not responsible, do not concern yourselves. Pray. Be mindful. Learn from it and every fall (as if it were your own), so as not to commit them. Put yourself in their shoes. Show mercy that you may find mercy.
I can’t help but think of the letters to the churches in Revelation. Christ told the church in Lapdicea: you are neither cold nor hot. “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” Revelation 3:16 OSB
Do you read the lives of the Saints every day? Do you have the six volume Synaxarion ? We need to have examples before us continually. We need to be inspired by them. The Scriptures and the lives of the saints, the Jesus prayer all day every day, and you’ve made a good beginning.
I have recently watched Scorsese's The Silence and this very dilemma is presented in the end. I was very disturbed. How can apostasy be justified by love of neighbor. It seems this dilemma will be the end times deception for the elect. Thanks for the clarification father.
I was on a plane couple years ago, on my way back from America, and I watched that movie. I found it very disturbing and indeed demonic, as it was justifying apostasy on the basis of love of neighbor. Thank you for pointing that out for our listeners.
It's simple: The closing of the churches and the agreement with that of the bishops is wrong. God allowed it, not to conclude that the closing of churches is a good thing, but that now we might struggle even harder, long for Christ even intenser. It's an exercise and a beginning of separating the chaff from the weed.
Fr bless, so what does it mean when our hierarchs decide to close services to the faithful? Is this a result of fear and faithlessness? We are the church. It's time to revive the home church. Orthodoxy under quarantine... we have a duty. Time to chant Canons and Akathists and pray the typica at home. We’ve been there and done that. In exile, in the catacombs, on ships at sea, far distances from parishes and in the mission field, we know what to do. It's just a matter of doing it. Time to light the vigil lamps and get to work.
H H you must do what the rest of the church body is doing and that is increasing your prayer rule. Learn to read and chant the services from home in front of your icon corner. Something my spiritual Father always said to me, “get your head stuck in a good book”. So continue to read catechetical works by the Holy Fathers and another I recommend as well are the books by Metropolitan Hierotheos. Not all of us are like St. Mary of Egypt, and can go long periods of time without attending divine services and receiving the Holy Mysteries, but sometimes we’re forced to. Maintain your zeal, take courage, and God will receive you through baptism in His time.
I love my antiochian church, but when it closed 3 weeks ago I visited the Russian church that was open. My priest told me I was disobedient. I can not understand this.
Disobedient to what? Was there a command or order to not attend services anywhere? More generally, can someone be considered disobedient for wanting to pray and to commune of the mysteries?
Thank you, yes this is the question am i ready for my own end....this is what i must come to terms with now...i don't understand anything else about the hour except the question i am being asked point blank are you ready?
I fear not yet I will also not live in disobedience. My bishop has said to close the our parish. My priest continues to preform the liturgical services in my and my fellow parishioners behalf, "behind closed doors". If I fear anything then it is to be disobedient for I am commanded, without distinction to "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." Hebrews 13:17 As well, Ignatius to the Trallians states "And do ye also reverence your bishop as Christ Himself, according as the blessed apostles have enjoined you. He that is within the altar is pure, wherefore also he is obedient to the bishop and presbyters: but he that is without is one that does anything apart from the bishop, the presbyters, and the deacons. Such a person is defiled in his conscience, and is worse than an infidel. For what is the bishop but one who beyond all others possesses all power and authority, so far as it is possible for a man to possess it, who according to his ability has been made an imitator of the Christ Of God? And what is the presbytery but a sacred assembly, the counsellors and assessors of the bishop? And what are the deacons but imitators of the angelic powers, fulfilling a pure and blameless ministry unto him, as the holy Stephen did to the blessed James, Timothy and Linus to Paul, Anencletus and Clement to Peter? He, therefore, that will not yield obedience to such, must needs be one utterly without God, an impious man who despises Christ, and depreciates His appointments." and again he states "“He that is within the altar is pure, but he that is without is not pure; that is, he who does anything apart from the bishop, and presbytery, and deacons, such a man is not pure in his conscience.” I refuse to be caught in disobedience to my Lord's appointments. I will stand on the promise of my God that the last time I receive the most precious body and blood, that this blessing will provide me with His nourishment, until the day I may partake again...be it in this life or the next. I will not be fearful of a virus, nor a government edict nor the sword but I will fear disobeying my Bishop who stands to make account on my behalf before our good God.
Who has told you to be disobedient to your bishop? IN all things discernment is necessary. You may be obedient and mindful, submit to the Church, which is Christ, and be vigilant. You may obey and yet pray fervently for the doors to be open. You may intercede with your bishop, sharing with him, humbly, your concern. You may do much without being disobedient. Be mindful, also, that, *in the event* that a priest or bishop departs from obedience to Christ, there is a bad obedience and good disobedience. Obedience is life - when it is done in Christ, for Christ, in the way of Christ. There have been, and there will be again, in the days of the great apostasy and appearance of the man of iniquity, hierarchs and clergy who have ceased to be servants of God and become servants of spiritual delusion. In the great "golden century," the 4th after the Incarnation, in which there lived great hierarchs, there lived many, many more heretics. Most bishops were Arians. What made that time so special was precisely the faith of the few who refused to be obedient to not only heretically-minded hierarchs but emperors. The full force of the mightiest empire on earth came down on Christians in the time of Julian the Apostate, who the great and Holy Basil of Cappadocia withstood to his face. The examples of both fallen hierarchs and confessing bishops are many, too numerous to recount. Therefore, each and every believer must be obedient to CHRIST. And insomuch as the priest or bishop is a servant of God, confessing Him, obedience to him = obedience to Him. How will we know if this is the case? There is no external or magical way. One must know his faith, The Faith, and call upon the Lord incessantly ("Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me!") to enlighten him. In future podcasts we may take up this matter further and delve into it with an aim to assist all the faithful on the path of obedience to Christ.
ruclips.net/video/6rcJ-Gdyyis/видео.html Video excerpt from St. Simeon the New Theologian speaking to monastics who are under obedience to their Abbot: "...in matters where no transgression of God's commandments or of the apostolic Canons and ordinances has taken place, you ought to obey him in all things and to submit yourselves unto him as if he were the Lord Himself. However, in all things where the Gospel of Christ and the laws of the Church are in danger of being overturned, not only to him should you not submit when he admonishes and commands you, but not even to an angel who just came down from heaven and who evangelizes you different things from what the eyewitnesses of the Logos had been evangelized". It seems that the call for "blind, unquestioning" obedience can only be made with some very serious qualifications!
@@OrthodoxEthos "Who has told you to be disobedient to your bishop?" No one...I just stated my determination however some I have seen are church hopping to find Churches that are "open"... going from jurisdiction to jurisdiction IE ROCOR or a Greek Parish to commune thus going outside their bishop's authority in this matter. I never enter into communion with any parish without the blessing of my priest. This is not an issue of doctrine or dogma...this is an issue of protecting the flock. My Bishop Benjamin, I know has struggled greatly with what to do, consulted his priests and come to the determination that the best avenue is to close the Churches. I have also heard the metropolitan of the OCA concur with my Bishop. To even imply that a bishop who determines to close a Church is some how apostate or under the influence of secular leaders is reaching for the fuel to condemn. I am also not stupid and am able to discern between heretical positions, apostate positions and schismatic positions...this situation does not rise to the level of any, as painful as it is. Frankly, it is plain common sense to protect the flock in this manner if one looks at the history of viral infections such as this. You say "Therefore, each and every believer must be obedient to CHRIST" yet Saint Ignatius states, "do ye also reverence your bishop as Christ Himself" Each and every believer must be obedient to the Bishop and the Church for Christ is each of these. I believe I am being obedient to Christ by being obedient to my parish and my Bishop. Going ones own way and discerning in ones own mind the right path only brings to my those verses that discourage us from these paths. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. Proverbs 12:15 and There is a way that seems right unto a man, but its end is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12 However, I understand the desire to go ones own way however I will resist this desire for the good of my soul.
Kyle Ernst not sure how ceasing the public worship of God could be decided as an option for any bishop. There is no precedent for this in the history of the Church. St Gregory the Great in fact held public processions when Rome was beset by plague. No saints recommend “closing the church and forbidding the faithful from reception of the sacraments”
@@AdolfSchicklegruber I do not live in the third century during the Plague of Cyprian. I live in this day, not the past nor in a false reality. I am commanded in Hebrews 13:17 to obey those that rule over me in the Church. This is not about doctrine, dogma or any tradition of the Church...this is about protecting the flock from a known virus. I am not willing to place my priest's life nor the lives of my brothers and sisters in harms way for my selfish desires to enter into communion. Some orthodox people need to start living as Orthodox people...not spoiled brats demanding their own way. I will trust God will protect and keep me with my last communion. I will rejoice and appreciate my next fellowship communion with my brothers and sisters all the more. This will pass and America will be the stronger for it...America has survived other contagions and I figure our freedoms will survive this, even if curtailed for a time. Metropolitian Tikhon's (OCA) address to the OCA here: www.oca.org/news/headline-news/holy-synod-issues-coronavirus-statment-metropolitan-tikhon-addresses-the-faithful Bishop Benjermin's address to the Diosese of the West here: www.dowoca.org/2020/03/11/coronavirus-message-of-his-eminence-archbishop-benjamin/ This is a letter from my Priest to our parish: "I humbly ask your prayers, and prayers for our Archbishop. The decisions that have come down to us are near universal throughout the Orthodox world, and we are left asking: “This is an hard saying; who can hear it? (Jn. 6:60). With that in mind, I share with you the following counsel I was given": "It seems to me that we confess the Church as hierarchical, Christ has placed the bishop as the one who stands on the eagle rug. This implies we believe he sees better than us. That is, he is given more grace to discern, to rightly divide the word of truth. And we all readily agree with this and are happy to have him discern for us… as long as we agree with him. But when we disagree we suddenly question the whole structure and default to protestant theology that every man can interpret for himself what is right. Either he stands on the eagle rug or he does not…. We are in it for the long haul, as long as God allows." Perhaps a video on a priest during the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic will persuade you that your selfish desires are just that...selfish, faithless and unwarranted. vimeo.com/365128189?fbclid=IwAR0EAXAsT_ZsZTVWqmqOGZk8i3gx4dEDJ8wv_IkJUc3orqe7mWrdBvKymdA
@@Peter-en6bc , i thought (& heard) that was an unconfirmed rumor. Is it not? Did the Abp actually rule so? Or, did he say something about difficulties in mixed marriages, due to the fact that the OC cannot commune those outside the OC, which may indicate he's thinking along the lines you fear & could be attempting to pave the way to doing it in the future?
@Dummy Names From my perspective during his Town Hall meeting yesterday, he mentioned that he would personally give the Eucharist to non-Orthodox spouses. This is different from the rumor that came out about a month or so ago
Thank you Father God bless you now and always.Would you be able to explain to us Daniel chapter 2 Daniel chapter 7 Revelations chapter 13 ..if you may tell us and explain Daniel telling us about the Kingdoms the Bear the lion and the Panther the Gold the copper the iron and the clay I would appreciate it if you may.Thank you Gods love and grace on us all. I pray for all our churches to open so we can all go and worship our Christ Our Lord Jesus and the Holy spirit.I know we can pray at home alone and we do but to see the Holy communion being taken and not to fear.Pray for us al..Thank you so kindly.
Katerina, The Lord bless! Yes, may God bless this. In a future podcast, I would like to do an examination of these passages. It may take some time, so please be patient.
@@OrthodoxEthos father I'm having trouble staying hopeful. Some days fear consumes me.... I need advice on what to tell our teenagers without planted the seed of helplessness and hopelessness. How do we greet each day? how do we remove the evil that has veiled over us? Basically, what does the bible say about the final days, what are we to expect? Your words are the only source of healing now.... God bless you and thank you...
Fr bless+ Glory be to God +++ In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit + Truly these are ‘signs of the times’ “A time is coming when men will go mad, and when they see someone who is not mad, they will attack him, saying, ‘You are mad; you are not like us.'” + St. Anthony the Great-Sayings of the Desert Fathers May God Bless you , family , friends and those around you - May we all remain humble in Faith Hope and Love - Our trust is Gods mercy to each of us , and if we stumble may we get up stronger and patiently await our Lords judgement to each and everyone of us + book of DANIAL - “I saw in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed” (Dan. 7:13:14). Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on me a sinner I would also like to add that there is definitely ‘spiritual warfare’ in the air and all around us - our faith is being tested- our CHURCH of which is the HOUSE OF GOD , a HOSPITAL of which all Gods children are welcome - sadly we are in a pandemic of a GLOBAL new world order ... And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell? (Matthew 10:28) ICXC NIKA artoklasia.blogspot.com/2016/05/elder-athanasios-mitilinaios2006.html?m=1
I'm sorry I did not understand the name of the Greek spiritual elder who said in 1981 that we do not know what laws will be passed in the future making it illegal to go to church. Does anyone have the name?
Father, I see this as an extermination of the elderly. I'm older and am still working. I have traveled, and go to the store and go to church and receive Holy communion, I am neither sick oe dead. I believe the jailing and isolating of the elderly is a means to kill them and get rid of "useless eaters"
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Christ in our midst! Thank you for this Father Peter.
Father Spyridon, I want to thank you also, you and Father Peter are voices in the wilderness! I am encouraging all true Orthodox, [I know that word is an Oxymoron] to support our faithful Priests and Hierarchs through prayers and donations if possible. Also, share these videos, there are a lot of mixed messages in our Orthodox communities coming from surprise sources. As we struggle during these times we should take this as an opportunity to grow in our faith. We must read the Sacred Scriptures along with the Church’s teachings explaining the Scriptures we are reading. Unlike the Protestants, the Scriptures are not for our personal interpretations. We should make efforts to learn about our Saints, they experienced many hardships during their lives. Their hardships should be guidance and roadmap for us in the year 2020 and beyond. I hate to use this term but it applies, the genie is out of the bottle! For those familiar with the etiology of the genie, may understand the point I am making. For the first time in history throughout the world, many Churches were and are shutdown. We were told and is being told we can’t receive the Sacraments of our Church. We are being told we can’t see our physician and his physician assistances. I better shortened my message, let’s pray for our clerics and one another! Χριστὸς ἀνέστη Christ is Risen! Γρηγόρης
Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me. 🙏
God bless you Father, for speaking the truth; that which is rooted in Christ, not the world. I can't tell you how light my heart has become, to see a Father of the Church say what needs to be said, and heard.
Glory to God, through, and for all things.
I completely agree!
Very well Stated @Sarah Saxon!
♡
I think, a lot of people are grateful for these podcasts. I am for sure.
Amin!
I'm not Orthodox but want to be. The way the churches responded to this pandemic made me doubt a bit.
But your videos help me. Thank you Father Peter.
Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have Mercy on me a sinner.
Think of church history and how many times large portions of the faithful - including the bishops - fell away - and yet - of course - the church continued on in the Saints. Our authority is always in Christ Who lives in His saints and speaks through His saints. The holy ones today are unanimous in their rebuttal and refusal of the worldly spirit which is creeping into the church through the various delusions and heresies of our day.
Thank you Father Peter Heers, your fearlessness in the face of demonic lies is an inspiration. May God to continue to Bless and guide you and your family. With Much Love and Affection, yours, Daniel Alva
Thank you Fr. Heers for this challenging reflection. As a former Baptist pastor in process of becoming Orthodox I was deeply- disappointed may not be the right word, but that is the direction- at the unreflective knee jerk response of some Orthodox leadership to the crisis. (Having said that I too was completely caught off guard by this thing, and found myself responding with little Christian biblical theological reflection.) I thank God for your inspired challenge to the Church
GOD IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN HELP US RIGHT NOW.
WE NEED YOU GOD PLEASE
My prayer does go out for our bishops and priests, for they are the ones who OWN THE KEYS to the Churches!!! May God help them, (and all of us!) WALK THE TALK!!!
Great message, Father Heers. "Signs of the times", indeed. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us sinners! Help us to stand for You and not against You, make us unafraid!
What difficult times to be alive, I wondered when our clergy would speak straight about these issues. I have been skeptical of the need to shut down Churches, yes we are to obey civil authority so long as they do not violate or impeach the practice of faith and life. I have been weighing and measuring the views being put forth by Bishops, elders, Scripture, saints Etc. I find that you raise many of the questions I could not put words to. From what I gather, I see that this way of closing the Churches, limiting the number of people in Church and so on and so forth, is not the right way forward. We have seeded too much power and control too the State and thus the devil. Since politics here is just two sides of the same coin and the only ones getting rich are the enemies of God and the political technocrats. This is allowed by our good and gracious God in His divine Providence, certainly We must hold our bishops accountable with respect and honor their position in the Church, but we need not obey if they prove too be "wolves in sheep's clothing". We must pray that God guide us and give us wisdom in these end times.
Thank you for your podcasts! Please do more on the virus situation and how to navigate this days ahead.
It’s true when the corona virus hit and I heard churches closing. I said to myself the final days are upon us. We all need to kneel down and pray he is giving us that time to come to him. When not taking the body and blood of Christ as we are used to it has been taken away from us I understood and tears rolled down my eyes knowing the time has come and our eyes will see the final days. oh lord Jesus Christ son of God have mercy on your world and on me a sinner. Glory to God forever
* SIMON Says true but everything else he said is true
Adolf Schicklegruber it breaks my heart to know that today Palm Sunday and going into Holy Week I can’t stop the tears. Everyone have a blessed Holy Week pascha is around the corner
Rockin Raffi's Home Cooking I am with you my friend. We are really being attacked and our shepherds seem to be hired hands. What a trying time. God bless you.
Adolf Schicklegruber god bless you too my brother and God grant peace and be with us all through these times that our eyes are witnessing. Glory be to God for everything
This comment was written 11 months ago... do you also think this vaccine might be a precursor of the mark of the beast?
Clarity!
How vitally important it is to hold fast to faith, to all that our Lord Jesus Christ taught us.
Thank God for the livestream broadcasts that have been such a lifeline at this time.
May the holy mother the Theotokos pray for many conversions to orthodoxy .
Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us sinners
This Father is truly needed for this season and time.
Great podcasts so far Fr Peter.... in fact, all the videos on your channel are excellent.
For as long as you can gather strength from Christ, keep em coming!
Thank you!
Thank you, Fr. Peter, you have an uncanny ability to provide words of wisdom when we need it most!
Father, thank God for these simple, yet powerful, reminders of our Christian life. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." Pray we don't lose these gifts due to negligence toward Christ.
Glory to God in all things ☦️☦️☦️
Thank you Father, May God bless you and strengthen our weak faith, Amen ☦️
🌿🕊☦️🕊🌿🙏🙏🙏
Our church was never closed since the pandemic and all services have been served yes with all precautions, regulations and today all people returned back attending the services
Thank you Fr. Peter for the vise words but it procrastinated against the Lord Jesus Christ & Christianity God gave us this world as a gift that we have enjoyed each blessings each moment that everyone, everyone will enter the Kingdom of heaven but not “who is a fearful” will not 💔
Thank you Father, your prayers. Bless.
Wonderful Father Peter! Christ is Risen! With his Grace we will stand until the end!!!! IC XC NIKA
Thank you! God bless you for your counsel. "Our God is a good God and He lovest mankind". True words. ☦️
Thank you everyday. So glad I found this channel.
Thank you for speaking the truth for all to hear! I cannot say I am surprised by our government officials tyrannical decisions, but closing or limiting the churches... is just heart wrenching.
When I saw you posted something on this current “situation” I told my wife this was my only chance for a true orthodox response. We’ve been really struggling feeling alone and wondering why our church would cancel herself during the holiest time of year... even the day of pascha. Father, bless. Thank you for giving my family some hope that orthodox in the us are not all a lost cause. Please keep making these during this time.
Adolf Schicklegruber Fr. Dc. Ananias agrees with Fr. Heers. Neither are encouraging rebellion at this moment.
Rebellion? No, of course not. God forbid. The first rebel was the fallen angel. We rebel, but only against our passions, behind which stand the enemy.
FAITHFULNESS is what we struggle to obtain and exhibit. God will take care of all the rest.
@@TheRealRealOK Brother, I didnt encourage rebellion. I dont encourage rebellion. And no they dont agree. Fr Dc Ananias told me a lay Orthodox to "fast from the Eucharist"...that i was acting like an "entitled angry child" and compared our situation to St Mary Of Egypt. I didnt hear anything like that from Fr Heers. Even if Fr Heers privately agreed with him this video is far more pastoral and helpful than calling lay people names and writing off objections as simply prelest or convert enthusiasm.
Father, bless!
Thank you for having the courage to share this encouraging and timely message
Thank you father! 💒
Thank you so much for saying this!!
Well spoken, Father! --fr thaddeus franta
Fr. Peter,
Great talk and very encouraging. I have one observation and one question. First, I don't see how it is possible for us Orthodox to be incarnational and sacramental and at the same time virtual. It seems to me that many American Orthodox leaders and laity are content with virtual services while other Orthodox Christians who desire the sacrament of marriage,confession and Holy communion are being marginalized. Secondly, my question is where can Orthodox Christians turn or at least have an alternative to receiving these Holy mysteries in a time where there may be no end in sight to fulfill our spiritual needs.
In my view as as a laymen it seems that most leadership from all expressions of Christianity and the way they have conducted themselves during this crisis has been frankly disheartening. When we look at the way the Church has dealt with pandemics, plagues natural disasters, wars etc. historically juxtaposed to the way we are dealing with this situation (which in my estimation does not rise to the same level as other pandemics) is quite shameful.
The response I have seen from not just leadership but even many (not all) laity has revealed the true faithlessness and cowardice of the modern Church. As you pointed out these same "Christians" will expose themselves to crowds of people in grocery stores to ensure they have physical sustenance, and home improvement centers to make sure their homes and lawns are pristine but it seems when it comes to their spiritual life church is internalized as an extracurricular activity.
We cannot continue to deny the faithful Holy Communion and be true to ourselves, our identity as the Body of Christ, the continuation of the Incarnation. Of course, it needs to be said that there are several Local Churches which are not doing this, but rather are continuing to serve and commune, such as the Churches of Georgia, Bulgaria and, I believe, Serbia, and ROCOR, in many cases (unclear to me if there is a united stance or if it differs in each country). Also, please know that there are many prominent voices within the Greek speaking Orthodox world which are standing against the “virtual” reality stance, such as Metropolitan Neophytos and Met. Athanasius in Cyprus, Nektarios in Kerkyra (Corfu), and prominent clergy, not to mention many clergy who are going underground and liturgizing in the “catacombs” and communing people (as many as is possible) behind closed doors. So, perhaps we should understand that, somewhat like in times of persecution, the Church today continues on, true to Herself, Her Identity, in spite of official declarations to the contrary in such examples and many others unknown to us. I will speak of one such case in an upcoming episode: Fr. George Skinas in Athens.
@@OrthodoxEthos I look forward to your next episode Fr. Peter! Thank for continuing to fight the good the fight!
@@OrthodoxEthos The one Orthodox Church in my community is holding services with 10 people at a time. It is a ROCOR Church and is a small church. The time I attended there were maybe thirty people there.
Thank you!
You hit the nail in the head.
I fill the need to pray and the need to gather in church with my brothers and sisters even more than before.
But my church is afraid.
I am not i trust in Jesus.
Thank you, Fr Peter!
How should those who wish to convert find salvation when the church doors are closed? Especially during this fearful time when many are given a measure of clarity on their own mortality.
i find myself in the same boat, any holy encouragement/counsel is appreciated
I also would like any info on how to convert at this time.I have been searching for the truth my entire life and just in last few months i have discovered it.I have been reading and watching everything I can learning as much as I can but now I know I must show my faith and be baptized.
I ask for your forgiveness, as I am no way an expert interpreter of prophecies, and I urge anyone to correct me if I mislead or scandalize anyone. Having said that, I offer the following thoughts as comfort.
Many of our Orthodox Saints are in agreement, that despite the cunning one’s attempt to enslave the world with current world events, Christ will overturn these plans, and instead cleanse our world of the disarray that we have been living for so many decades now.
In fact, according to St Paisios, after the upcoming world events, Orthodoxy will triumph and spread throughout the world, there won’t be one person on this earth that won’t believe. Indeed, for Christ loves His creation soooo much, that He will gives us all the opportunity to return to Him (if we so choose), before the end times.
But until that day comes, we all need to be strong in the Faith in order to be able to withstand what’s coming. Which is why prayer (and repentance) is so important now in order for Christ to give us the strength we need. And as some of you are catechumens, I would also add the following : maintain your thirst for Orthodoxy.... for Christ! And indeed, when the church’s reopen, He will surely reward your thirst with the sacrament of Baptism.
FOR ALL TRUTH SEEKERS: know it is The Most High God Who is drawing you to Himself, and the work He has began in you, He Will complete! For it is He Who is the Author and Finisher of our faith! Wait on the Lord... Holy Scripture says again and again: "Wait on the Lord" He does NOT disappoint!!!
@@basilomologitis9646 brother, the Truth will be preached to all, all people then living, who have never heard it preached, will hear it (as opposed to hearing all manner of heresies preached), but that does not necessarily mean all will accept it. However, we know from Scripture that from every tribe, nation, race, & linguistic group there will be those who will believe, accept, & actually be saved, such that on the Last Day, they will be among those on His right side. That's my understanding. Fr will correct, if I'm wrong or anyone else is, so that we don't persist in our misunderstanding. May the Lord strengthen us & guide us always.
Excellent teaching Father.
There is also an inconsistence when the Hierarchy locks the faithful out of their churches as they and their families (in some cases) continue to commune the Body and Blood of our Lord. Forgive me a sinner Fr. Heers but this troubles my heart greatly.
That sin for which you are not responsible, do not concern yourselves. Pray. Be mindful. Learn from it and every fall (as if it were your own), so as not to commit them. Put yourself in their shoes. Show mercy that you may find mercy.
The temptation has come and we have failed. I fear now The Lord will turn his back on us. Lord have mercy.
I can’t help but think of the letters to the churches in Revelation. Christ told the church in Lapdicea: you are neither cold nor hot. “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
Revelation 3:16 OSB
May our lord Jesus Christ have mercy upon me a sinner ☦️☦️☦️
Thank you Fr. Peter
The way forward will be martyrdom...
Thankyou father Peter for your orthodox teaching. How can we strengthen our faith and remove our fear. What prayer can we say. God bless you always.
Do you read the lives of the Saints every day? Do you have the six volume Synaxarion ? We need to have examples before us continually. We need to be inspired by them. The Scriptures and the lives of the saints, the Jesus prayer all day every day, and you’ve made a good beginning.
Thankyou and God bless 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I have recently watched Scorsese's The Silence and this very dilemma is presented in the end. I was very disturbed.
How can apostasy be justified by love of neighbor.
It seems this dilemma will be the end times deception for the elect.
Thanks for the clarification father.
I was on a plane couple years ago, on my way back from America, and I watched that movie. I found it very disturbing and indeed demonic, as it was justifying apostasy on the basis of love of neighbor. Thank you for pointing that out for our listeners.
AMHN 🙏
It's simple: The closing of the churches and the agreement with that of the bishops is wrong. God allowed it, not to conclude that the closing of churches is a good thing, but that now we might struggle even harder, long for Christ even intenser. It's an exercise and a beginning of separating the chaff from the weed.
Fr bless, so what does it mean when our hierarchs decide to close services to the faithful? Is this a result of fear and faithlessness? We are the church. It's time to revive the home church. Orthodoxy under quarantine... we have a duty. Time to chant Canons and Akathists and pray the typica at home. We’ve been there and done that. In exile, in the catacombs, on ships at sea, far distances from parishes and in the mission field, we know what to do. It's just a matter of doing it. Time to light the vigil lamps and get to work.
H H you must do what the rest of the church body is doing and that is increasing your prayer rule. Learn to read and chant the services from home in front of your icon corner. Something my spiritual Father always said to me, “get your head stuck in a good book”. So continue to read catechetical works by the Holy Fathers and another I recommend as well are the books by Metropolitan Hierotheos. Not all of us are like St. Mary of Egypt, and can go long periods of time without attending divine services and receiving the Holy Mysteries, but sometimes we’re forced to. Maintain your zeal, take courage, and God will receive you through baptism in His time.
@@anthonyboneta thank you!
Do you have any recommendations/resources for how to begin doing services by yourself?
Thank you Fr.Peter, sharing.
Thank God
Please do share, yes, so that others can be benefited. Thank you.
I love my antiochian church, but when it closed 3 weeks ago I visited the Russian church that was open. My priest told me I was disobedient. I can not understand this.
Disobedient to what? Was there a command or order to not attend services anywhere?
More generally, can someone be considered disobedient for wanting to pray and to commune of the mysteries?
I will check and see if the Russian church is open in Bay Area and go there for communion
if your priest said that, I would find a new parish. Ignorant and egocentric way of thinking.
Good stuff! Protestantic greetings. God with us.
Thank you Father Peter.
Yes, will the Lord find faith when he returns? The churches need to open for the faithful!
AMEN, AMEN, AMEN! ☺👍
Thank you, yes this is the question am i ready for my own end....this is what i must come to terms with now...i don't understand anything else about the hour except the question i am being asked point blank are you ready?
Nice office.
When He comes will He find faith on this Earth!
What is an ordinary layman to do when our bishops and patriarchs take this stance?
Mark Shillaker That's what I want to know... It almost feels like we don't have a voice!
I’ve shared this view in other venues and to my priest... it doesn’t go over well. Father Peter May be our only lifeline for leadership
@orthodox Nope. There's such a thing as holy inobedience and unholy obedience. Obedience is not always necessarily a good thing.
@orthodox I understood that, and that's also what I meant. Holy disobedience to false shepards.
orthodox no
I fear not yet I will also not live in disobedience. My bishop has said to close the our parish. My priest continues to preform the liturgical services in my and my fellow parishioners behalf, "behind closed doors". If I fear anything then it is to be disobedient for I am commanded, without distinction to "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." Hebrews 13:17
As well, Ignatius to the Trallians states "And do ye also reverence your bishop as Christ Himself, according as the blessed apostles have enjoined you. He that is within the altar is pure, wherefore also he is obedient to the bishop and presbyters: but he that is without is one that does anything apart from the bishop, the presbyters, and the deacons. Such a person is defiled in his conscience, and is worse than an infidel. For what is the bishop but one who beyond all others possesses all power and authority, so far as it is possible for a man to possess it, who according to his ability has been made an imitator of the Christ Of God? And what is the presbytery but a sacred assembly, the counsellors and assessors of the bishop? And what are the deacons but imitators of the angelic powers, fulfilling a pure and blameless ministry unto him, as the holy Stephen did to the blessed James, Timothy and Linus to Paul, Anencletus and Clement to Peter? He, therefore, that will not yield obedience to such, must needs be one utterly without God, an impious man who despises Christ, and depreciates His appointments."
and again he states "“He that is within the altar is pure, but he that is without is not pure; that is, he who does anything apart from the bishop, and presbytery, and deacons, such a man is not pure in his conscience.”
I refuse to be caught in disobedience to my Lord's appointments. I will stand on the promise of my God that the last time I receive the most precious body and blood, that this blessing will provide me with His nourishment, until the day I may partake again...be it in this life or the next.
I will not be fearful of a virus, nor a government edict nor the sword but I will fear disobeying my Bishop who stands to make account on my behalf before our good God.
Who has told you to be disobedient to your bishop?
IN all things discernment is necessary. You may be obedient and mindful, submit to the Church, which is Christ, and be vigilant. You may obey and yet pray fervently for the doors to be open. You may intercede with your bishop, sharing with him, humbly, your concern. You may do much without being disobedient.
Be mindful, also, that, *in the event* that a priest or bishop departs from obedience to Christ, there is a bad obedience and good disobedience. Obedience is life - when it is done in Christ, for Christ, in the way of Christ. There have been, and there will be again, in the days of the great apostasy and appearance of the man of iniquity, hierarchs and clergy who have ceased to be servants of God and become servants of spiritual delusion. In the great "golden century," the 4th after the Incarnation, in which there lived great hierarchs, there lived many, many more heretics. Most bishops were Arians. What made that time so special was precisely the faith of the few who refused to be obedient to not only heretically-minded hierarchs but emperors. The full force of the mightiest empire on earth came down on Christians in the time of Julian the Apostate, who the great and Holy Basil of Cappadocia withstood to his face. The examples of both fallen hierarchs and confessing bishops are many, too numerous to recount.
Therefore, each and every believer must be obedient to CHRIST. And insomuch as the priest or bishop is a servant of God, confessing Him, obedience to him = obedience to Him. How will we know if this is the case? There is no external or magical way. One must know his faith, The Faith, and call upon the Lord incessantly ("Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me!") to enlighten him.
In future podcasts we may take up this matter further and delve into it with an aim to assist all the faithful on the path of obedience to Christ.
ruclips.net/video/6rcJ-Gdyyis/видео.html
Video excerpt from St. Simeon the New Theologian speaking to monastics who are under obedience to their Abbot:
"...in matters where no transgression of God's commandments or of the apostolic Canons and ordinances has taken place, you ought to obey him in all things and to submit yourselves unto him as if he were the Lord Himself. However, in all things where the Gospel of Christ and the laws of the Church are in danger of being overturned, not only to him should you not submit when he admonishes and commands you, but not even to an angel who just came down from heaven and who evangelizes you different things from what the eyewitnesses of the Logos had been evangelized".
It seems that the call for "blind, unquestioning" obedience can only be made with some very serious qualifications!
@@OrthodoxEthos "Who has told you to be disobedient to your bishop?" No one...I just stated my determination however some I have seen are church hopping to find Churches that are "open"... going from jurisdiction to jurisdiction IE ROCOR or a Greek Parish to commune thus going outside their bishop's authority in this matter. I never enter into communion with any parish without the blessing of my priest.
This is not an issue of doctrine or dogma...this is an issue of protecting the flock. My Bishop Benjamin, I know has struggled greatly with what to do, consulted his priests and come to the determination that the best avenue is to close the Churches. I have also heard the metropolitan of the OCA concur with my Bishop. To even imply that a bishop who determines to close a Church is some how apostate or under the influence of secular leaders is reaching for the fuel to condemn.
I am also not stupid and am able to discern between heretical positions, apostate positions and schismatic positions...this situation does not rise to the level of any, as painful as it is. Frankly, it is plain common sense to protect the flock in this manner if one looks at the history of viral infections such as this.
You say "Therefore, each and every believer must be obedient to CHRIST" yet Saint Ignatius states, "do ye also reverence your bishop as Christ Himself" Each and every believer must be obedient to the Bishop and the Church for Christ is each of these. I believe I am being obedient to Christ by being obedient to my parish and my Bishop.
Going ones own way and discerning in ones own mind the right path only brings to my those verses that discourage us from these paths. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. Proverbs 12:15 and There is a way that seems right unto a man, but its end is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12
However, I understand the desire to go ones own way however I will resist this desire for the good of my soul.
Kyle Ernst not sure how ceasing the public worship of God could be decided as an option for any bishop. There is no precedent for this in the history of the Church. St Gregory the Great in fact held public processions when Rome was beset by plague. No saints recommend “closing the church and forbidding the faithful from reception of the sacraments”
@@AdolfSchicklegruber I do not live in the third century during the Plague of Cyprian. I live in this day, not the past nor in a false reality. I am commanded in Hebrews 13:17 to obey those that rule over me in the Church. This is not about doctrine, dogma or any tradition of the Church...this is about protecting the flock from a known virus.
I am not willing to place my priest's life nor the lives of my brothers and sisters in harms way for my selfish desires to enter into communion.
Some orthodox people need to start living as Orthodox people...not spoiled brats demanding their own way. I will trust God will protect and keep me with my last communion. I will rejoice and appreciate my next fellowship communion with my brothers and sisters all the more.
This will pass and America will be the stronger for it...America has survived other contagions and I figure our freedoms will survive this, even if curtailed for a time.
Metropolitian Tikhon's (OCA) address to the OCA here: www.oca.org/news/headline-news/holy-synod-issues-coronavirus-statment-metropolitan-tikhon-addresses-the-faithful
Bishop Benjermin's address to the Diosese of the West here: www.dowoca.org/2020/03/11/coronavirus-message-of-his-eminence-archbishop-benjamin/
This is a letter from my Priest to our parish:
"I humbly ask your prayers, and prayers for our Archbishop. The decisions that have come down to us are near universal throughout the Orthodox world, and we are left asking: “This is an hard saying; who can hear it? (Jn. 6:60). With that in mind, I share with you the following counsel I was given":
"It seems to me that we confess the Church as hierarchical, Christ has placed the bishop as the one who stands on the eagle rug. This implies we believe he sees better than us. That is, he is given more grace to discern, to rightly divide the word of truth. And we all readily agree with this and are happy to have him discern for us… as long as we agree with him. But when we disagree we suddenly question the whole structure and default to protestant theology that every man can interpret for himself what is right. Either he stands on the eagle rug or he does not…. We are in it for the long haul, as long as God allows."
Perhaps a video on a priest during the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic will persuade you that your selfish desires are just that...selfish, faithless and unwarranted.
vimeo.com/365128189?fbclid=IwAR0EAXAsT_ZsZTVWqmqOGZk8i3gx4dEDJ8wv_IkJUc3orqe7mWrdBvKymdA
Father Peter, can you please comment on Archbishops Elpidophoros saying it’s is ok for non-Orthodox spouses to take the Eucharist?
In due time.
Orthodox Ethos Thank you Fr., my spiritual father is in the Greek Archdiocese (I am not) and this has me concerned
@@Peter-en6bc , i thought (& heard) that was an unconfirmed rumor. Is it not? Did the Abp actually rule so? Or, did he say something about difficulties in mixed marriages, due to the fact that the OC cannot commune those outside the OC, which may indicate he's thinking along the lines you fear & could be attempting to pave the way to doing it in the future?
@Dummy Names From my perspective during his Town Hall meeting yesterday, he mentioned that he would personally give the Eucharist to non-Orthodox spouses. This is different from the rumor that came out about a month or so ago
@@Peter-en6bc wow! I didn't know!
What’s the name of the chant in the intro and outro
Vigil on Mt. Athos (Vatopedi Monastery) for the Wonderworking icon of the Theotokios Bimatarissa
Alex P - So beautiful! I always crank up the volume for this
🙏
Thank you Father God bless you now and always.Would you be able to explain to us Daniel chapter 2 Daniel chapter 7 Revelations chapter 13 ..if you may tell us and explain Daniel telling us about the Kingdoms the Bear the lion and the Panther the Gold the copper the iron and the clay I would appreciate it if you may.Thank you Gods love and grace on us all. I pray for all our churches to open so we can all go and worship our Christ Our Lord Jesus and the Holy spirit.I know we can pray at home alone and we do but to see the Holy communion being taken and not to fear.Pray for us al..Thank you so kindly.
Katerina, The Lord bless! Yes, may God bless this. In a future podcast, I would like to do an examination of these passages. It may take some time, so please be patient.
@@OrthodoxEthos thank You Blessing in the name of Jesus Christ
@@OrthodoxEthos yes please do...
@@OrthodoxEthos father I'm having trouble staying hopeful. Some days fear consumes me.... I need advice on what to tell our teenagers without planted the seed of helplessness and hopelessness. How do we greet each day? how do we remove the evil that has veiled over us? Basically, what does the bible say about the final days, what are we to expect? Your words are the only source of healing now.... God bless you and thank you...
Fr bless+
Glory be to God +++
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit +
Truly these are ‘signs of the times’
“A time is coming when men will go mad,
and when they see someone who is not mad,
they will attack him,
saying,
‘You are mad; you are not like us.'”
+ St. Anthony the Great-Sayings of the Desert Fathers
May God Bless you , family , friends and those around you -
May we all remain humble in Faith Hope and Love - Our trust is Gods mercy to each of us , and if we stumble may we get up stronger and patiently await our Lords judgement to each and everyone of us +
book of DANIAL - “I saw in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him.
And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed” (Dan. 7:13:14).
Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on me a sinner
I would also like to add that there is definitely ‘spiritual warfare’ in the air and all around us - our faith is being tested- our CHURCH of which is the HOUSE OF GOD , a HOSPITAL of which all Gods children are welcome - sadly we are in a pandemic of a GLOBAL new world order ... And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell? (Matthew 10:28)
ICXC NIKA
artoklasia.blogspot.com/2016/05/elder-athanasios-mitilinaios2006.html?m=1
I'm sorry I did not understand the name of the Greek spiritual elder who said in 1981 that we do not know what laws will be passed in the future making it illegal to go to church. Does anyone have the name?
Please take a look at the transcript that is posted on the Orthodox Ethos website, on the Podcasts page, underneath the particular podcast.
What is the UMP is that background?
Stands for: Uncut Mountain Press, our publishing house.
www.uncutmountainpress.com
Father, I see this as an extermination of the elderly. I'm older and am still working. I have traveled, and go to the store and go to church and receive Holy communion, I am neither sick oe dead. I believe the jailing and isolating of the elderly is a means to kill them and get rid of
"useless eaters"
Lord have mercy.
The enemy of our salvation is a hater of men.
It appears that some of the race of Adam are following his example to the extreme.
Testify Chrysostom !!!
Hoax hoax hoax