My Orthodox Church has grown like 50% since I’ve converted in chicago, and wow, there are so so many children in my church now. One family has 9 children
My soul yearns for unity between the Catholics and the Orthodox. I don't know if it'll happen in my lifetime, but the church needs to breathe with both lungs.
I think you'll like to read True Life in God, then. The mystic who wrote it was Greek Orthodox. She passed some 3 or 4 months ago. But her book has the seals of approval by the Catholic Church. She was specially having a mission of speaking of unity between all. She allegedly received messages from Jesus.
But no unity between the protestants? We should strive for an entire unity of Christians, stop this one true Church complex thing and realize we all are children of God.
it exists and always has been, the Catholic church has 24 rites so that people can worship the way their ancestors did but within the traditions and truths of Christ church. These rites are only existent as they're practiced, there used to be a Gaelic rite for the old Irish who were converting the Britons, Scots, and Anglo-Saxons, but overtime the Irish understood the faith independently of old Druid knowledge and they didn't use/want their rite anymore. Now about Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches reuniting with Rome, well its been happening ever since they left... Thats how we got the Ukrainian Byzantine rite, Russian Byzantine rite, Greek Byzantine rite, Assyrian rite, and more... These rites formed after Orthodox churches ended their Schism with Rome, obviously not all but many through the centuries rejoined Rome. Not only once 1000's of years ago but in waves throughout the centuries! If you believe in Christ promise to the church that it will last forever and believe in the patience of process (meaning not everything important will be in our families lifetimes) then I do believe it is inevitable that the two half's will reunite one day, and with how the world is now with little people understanding religion very deeply while the majority doesn't know anything, the differences will slowly start to disappear as people generalize traditional Christianity all together. Also all Christians know that one denomination/church is true so all you have to do is look at which ones change and disappear with the times.
@@TheCatholicNerd I pray that the 2025 Council of Nicea will be fruitful. Love to My Orthodox brothers and sisters in Christ, from a Roman Catholic ✝️❤️☦️
A lot of people want this. There's a prayer book from lancelot andrewes press that has text venerating saints from both Catholic and Orthodox churches. I'd really like to get one
@KingKador101 can't speak for him, but for me after my first son was still born I found comfort in religion and after life because it felt really unfair.
Southern black Baptist to Catholic here. My younger brother converted and was confirmed a few months ago. I'm going through OCIA at an Ordinariate parish. My class is all men, about 15 of us, between the ages of 60-18
@rockroc1 And you still need to find out if you're going to Heaven when you die. Moving from one distraction from that from that to another distraction from that still doesn't change the fact that your religious self-identity is not going to cleanse you from your sin: ONLY the MAN Christ Jesus, God the Son, can do that for you - 1 Timothy 2:5. (And yes, the Apostolic doctrine is to KNOW whether you're going to Heaven or not, making Roman Catholicism a non-Apostolic heresy: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye HAVE eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of (of a religion/church? No, rather on the name of) the Son of God." - 1 John 5:13 (SAINT John the APOSTLE)
That's awesome. My anti-catholic husband and i also attended the ordinariate (for daily mass) and evangelical on sunday. Soon we found our spiritual life deepening greatly with the catholic ordinariate, TLM, and eastern catholic. I reverted within 6 months and my husband a few years later. Our relationship feels very blessed. We've been humbled and sanctified. The daily rosary and scripture reading, with mass is a game changer. Confession is my fave!
@@miracles_metanoia Amen! Our lesson in OCIA (RCIA) last week was about Confession. When they said the Catholic Church was the fullness of the faith, they were not joking. It feels as if I've gone from a puddle to an ocean. Learning about the Church Fathers, early councils, and history solidified my faith. God is good! I'm so happy to be serving the Lord.
Just become a high church protestant like Lutheran, Anglicans, Presbyterian or Dutch Reformed (you know, the churches that actually follow the Magisterial Reformation) and you can have tradition and right teaching without failing in the great errors of both Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox.
It's literally what happened to me... Stoicism then from my spiritual, Pagan practises, back to my Catholic roots, and I am so grateful for it! I now read Stoicism and the Bible
Yep cuz lets worship a father who killed his son. Or kills himself depends if you truly believe in the trinity which the Bible itself destroys. Jesus himself released a dove saying holy spirit returning. And his father who is in heaven. Lmao 🤣
@@Andres-bz7dqDo you want me to educate you on the Bible? Your comment implies to me that you are a very illiterate man who does not read and only scoffs at others.
@@Andres-bz7dq if you come bearing hate to a Christian channel. prepare to be rightfully humbled. you could've just asked what the trinity is and we would've told you, nowhere in the Bible was the trinity contradicted or "destroyed", it's just that you might've misunderstood some verses, which happens even to the best of us
@lukasjetu9776 lmao 🤣 humbled how I'm not humbled at all bud. I will not worship a god who kills his child. A god we can trace to polythiestic religion. El yhwh and baal can all be traced 🙄 humble me with your made up science.
Didn’t grow up with religious family but thankfully found Christ through my friends in 2020. I’m reading the Bible from cover to cover and going to church.
Just become a high church protestant like Lutheran, Anglicans, Presbyterian or Dutch Reformed (you know, the churches that actually follow the Magisterial Reformation) and you can have tradition without failling in the great erros of both Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox.
Dude me too, it's shocking because it's so protestant here in our state but trad christianity is growing. I still get criticisms for my beliefs from other Christians and try to avoid debates. Compare this to Catholics, who gave me an icon of Fr. Rother and we wish each other a spiritually fruitful fast. Speaking of, I hope your Nativity Fast goes well this year!
@BobDebbie-p6r I don't remember a single example of St. Joseph confessing to a priest, replacing Christ as his intercessor and mediator with his wife Mary, outwardly washing his body in water to rid himself of his inward sin, or bowing down to and serving images (Exodus 20:5). So, what example of St. Joseph are you referring to?
@cfroi08 Christ's enemies called their religion "Trad Judaism" as well: "For laying aside the (inward) commandment of God, ye hold the (outward) tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do." - Mark 7:8, Matthew 15:1-3
@@gunstar168oh, I recall the Israelites insanely venerating the ark of the covenant, a relic carved with statues and IMAGES in Gold. I also recall the Bible telling you to ask others to pray for you. Also Mary doesn’t replace Jesus at all, where did you learn that? Pastor bobs Bible church? Do better. Convert to Christs church or you willingly reject the authority Christ gave HIMSELF
@@gunstar168 being baptized is all over the New Testament. Yikes. Holy mother of God pray for us. St. Joseph pray for us. St. Peter, pray for us. God have mercy on mine but also this man’s soul, who rejects your church you granted authority to and interprets the Bible not fully. God help all men follow Christ and change the world amen.
Definitely feeling called out in regards to stoicism lol. Though when choosing between Orthodoxy and Catholicism, I found the idea that a single Holy Church is what Christ wanted. The criticisms of the Holy Church ultimately seems to come down to the idea that the Holy Church is in fact a divine institution, but it is filled with flawed men of the earth who need delivery from sin as much as the rest of us. Things get more interesting when you learn about the inquisition and what it's real job ultimately was: to stop false conversions, and those that have claimed to have converted to not preach things not within the doctrine.
Stoicism and Christianity are inseparable. Stoicism is the how to get out of bed in the morning, Christianity is the why you should get out of bed in the morning. Christianity is Greco-Roman philosophy with Semitic lipstick.
Great points! I think it's important to remember that Jesus promised the gates of Hades would not prevail against His Church and that the Holy Spirit would guide it into all truth. In Orthodoxy, no single person is considered so divinely guided that they can make changes on their own. That’s why the Church functions more like a 'blockchain'-decisions require the consensus of the whole, ensuring the faith stays unchanged and true to what was handed down from the apostles. Trust me, I the most skeptical person you know. I typically don't trust people ESPECIALLY government institutions or companies. So I understand why someone would default to the protestant position of "I can't trust men to make decisions because they are corrupt". But I trust in these bishops because I BELIEVE AND TRUST Jesus. HE PROMISED US THIS. It's very refreshing to have an institution that I know is divinely guided to be correct. That it isn't just a 1 man show etc. I love the orthodox church
Same thing is happening here at the local Catholic Parish AND my friend's Orthodox parish it's beautiful, we got 60 catachumens/candidates and they have like 10-20!
Baptist > Anglican > Eastern Orthodox for me. My church has 20-30 catechumens at the moment, and from Pascha to Pascha we have received between 30 and 40 people each year since Covid. There are a lot more single men than women, about 5 women and 40 men at my church, but women are starting to show up as catechumens more often and over the next 5 years there is a huge number of girls in the church who will reach marriageable age, so it's an imbalance that will eventually get ironed out.
@@stizmac88 Same story with my RCIA class. There were couples with infants and a couple with small children. There were also single men and women too, from young adults to middle aged.
Atheist most of my life, came to Christ as a Baptist and after much research and soul seeking am now a Catechumen in the Greek Orthodox Church. God is so good. ☦️
@@Gavin_Francis_123 pray brother, and pray as if you're talking to him, like christ is next to you. Which he is. Questioning your faith isn't bad, it means the seeds of your faith are planted and sprouting. The world is testing the devotion of your sprouting faith. But adversity makes you stronger. Whatever questions you have, ask God, ask yourself and if you have a priest or a knowledgeable Christian friend. Ask them. Christ has faith in you brother, keep faith in him.
@@Gavin_Francis_123 there is problably not a big reason you should stay at the catholic church. and follow a catechism that way you can learn about the church and her theachings. ask youre priest things and not poeple online. and i advise you to look at the Traditional latin mass it is very beautiful!!
From an Orthodox Christian from Georgia (the country), thank you for your time and efforts into making this content! I feel like the world needs this the most right now!
The traditional Protestant church is growing as well. Everyone is opening their eyes to mainstream Christianity and its liberalism. I’m a Southern Baptist pastor, very traditional. This past year the Southern Baptist Convention (nationwide United States) saw the biggest influx of new members and baptism in the last 26 years!! Btw I love my Catholic and Orthodox brothers. We’re all declaring the same Gospel. Perhaps one day the “separated brethren” will be restored
God bless you, may your congregation flourish, and our efforts for unity be carried by Gods grace! Thank you for what you said about sharing the same Gospel, that was refreshing to hear.. Im a recent Catholic convert, so it's frustrating being accused of believing a "false gospel of works", so often, when we all believe in coming to Jesus in faith, by the grace of God (I'm familiar with the differences in how we define Justifcation/Sanctification, which causes some misunderstandings about how "works" fit into this, but trying to explain that common ground hasn't gone over very well!)
Used to be agnostic most of my life, but not long ago. As an academic and expert in medieval studies I've spent a lot of time analysing past and present, while calculating outcomes of the future. And every time in every scenario I got to same conclusion. The world became diabolic and degenerate because it no longer applies moral principles set by Christianity, and without restoring them all I can see is future way worse then this. Way more immoral and narcisistic people, commercialisation of every aspect of life and complete detatchment of individuals from community amd culture. In other words, bleached, homogenois mass of empty egocentric people with no sense of identity or community. I don't want to rise my son in that world, so I did my part. I embraced Faith. I want you all the best and much more conversions brother Pastor, and as Catholic I appriciate your words of love and reconsiliation, I hope that your vision will became True. Praise be to our Lord.❤
I am a devout Roman Catholic, and have theological differences with my protestant brothers and sisters, and do think my protestant brothers and sisters are living somewhat unfulfilled Christian lives. Mainly because of the lack of the saints and deep church history. BUT, I will never deny their love and devotion for our Lord, Jesus Christ, and nor will I ever deny their salvation. God bless you and your family and your congregation, my brother in Christ. We are not at war with each other, but with evil.
Yeah, you guys all need to come home to Orthodoxy haha. Doctrine is just as important as belief…don’t you think we should worship the way Christ and his Apostles laid down? And the way the men who studied under the apostles and the men who studied under them? Orthodoxy is the original church straight from Jesus in an unbroken chain. Man added his own ideas to things thus Catholics, then that domino effect resulted in Protestantism
@@norwardradtke1361 you speak truth Brother, Orthodoxy and Coptism is most direct formal teaching of christianity we have today. I respect orthodoxy the most. I am traditionally Catholic, so I embraced it (even though Catholicism is result of political schism from early medieval period). As a member of aristocracy I cannot convert, but I respect orthodoxy and speak fondly of it. Main problem in main country is that we do not have independant orthodox church, it is under the jurisdiction of neighbouring state, so most orthodox people here are member of that ethnic group, and they are not looking fondly of newcomers, which is sad.
As an Orthodox Christian, I have always been proud to know that through it all we have been a constantly growing faith. And it's wonderful to see the same is now happening to our Catholic cousins too.
Unfortunate. Missouri Synod Lutheranism is probably the best Protestant sect in terms of following the direct Word of God. By joining the Catholics you have endorsed an earthly bureaucracy.
I was a baptist who has been attending my "local" Orthodox church (40 minutes away) for about a year and in the short time I've been attending the church has been more and more crowded every Sunday. Actually last Sunday we had ushers instructing people to sit closer and we still ran out of room. The church was so full we now have people standing in the aisles and the fire marshals have started to get annoyed. We are in a college town and the parish is about 150 members and we just hit Catechumen number 75!!! (Im number 52) Tons of young families and college kids. The church actually voted to start a building fund because we just cant hold everyone anymore. I love my church, my priest, and the fullness of faith I never found before. That said, why did i Choose Orthodoxy over Catholicism? Both Vatican 1 and 2 are massive issues for me as well as looking at church history its pretty obvious to me that Orthodoxy is on the right side of the Schism, but I still love my Catholic brothers and pray for reconciliation w yall and the Copts as well.
I was protestant for my whole life (I'm 41). I was baptized into Holy Orthodoxy in April. I joined for one reason. Jesus Christ. "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified."
So you threw overboard the true and simple faith in the cross, and joined a church known for its corruption and confusion? If anyone is closest to "Christ Alone" it is the literal Lutheran Church who coined that very Slogan by resisting ctholic heresy..
@@a-sheep-of-christ false dichotomy between the Cross and the Church. Modern Lutheranism is a joke. Many of them have been conquered by the rainbow flag.
@@a-sheep-of-christ Luther was a mentally ill man who had zero connection with the Orthodox Church. Many Lutheran churches have already been conquered by the rainbow flag.
In 2020, I was the only catechumen and convert that whole year in my Orthodox parish. Now, this year, we’ve received 2 new converts and 14 catechumens. The growth is a blessing and shows that tradition in church is absolutely necessary!
I am one of 8 catechumens in my local parish, which has only 50 people. All 8 of us are the only ones in the church below the age of 40. Its no doubt that the church is becoming larger. Men, particularly young men, are becoming orthodox much faster than ever because they have finally opened their eyes to the history of the church and taken a serious look.
I converted to Christianity 2 years ago, and I only personally know people who attend Baptist churches. So I adopted all of their doctrine. But in the past month or 2 I've been studying the Protestant reformation and this has led me to reject Protestant Christianity by way of rejecting the very core doctrines it started with, how much it contradicts the ancient Church, and seeing how modern churches have even taken it further and essentially created their own theology. I've been trying to discern between Catholicism and Orthodoxy, and The Papacy is the one thing holding me back from joining the Catholic Church. Love your channel btw, can't wait to see you gain more popularity
I was deciding between orthodoxy and Catholicism 2 years ago (as a lifelong evangelical).Finally I picked the latter because it was more accessible physically speaking (church nearby). I converted at age 72.
I had the exact same dilemma in my journey as well. I'm currently in OCIA and converting to Catholicism. I was convinced that the Pope(or Bishop of Bishops) was a historical fact through various theological arguments and the testimony of the Church Fathers. Joe Heschmeyer on Shameless Popery has some fantastic videos about the Catholic argument for the Papacy that I would recommend watching. God bless you in your journey!
same situation, ended up catholic. read St. Pope Agtho’s letter in the Third Council of Constantinople. His letter was received ecumenically and universally throughout the entire church not only do I think it teaches papal “supremacy” (this word doesn’t really describe our position really it would Primacy) but I think it’s so abundantly clear from his letter that everybody hates talking about it. The orthodox will either say it’s not infallible, not a good translation, or it just has “flowerly” language and I think all of these explanations fall short of the words of this holy saint which he makes himself abundantly clear and speaks for the entire church and the council, definitely give this a read
Catholics and Orthodox classify any Church founded after the year 1500 that is not part of their churches as Protestant. However, the churches that actually follow the theology of magisterial reform are the Presbyterians, Lutherans, Anglicans and Continental Reformed. Orthodox and Catholics also treat the Church Fathers as if they had a consensus on everything, but in fact they were extremely pluralistic on every subject you can imagine, but only Protestants have a system that allows them to be honest about it. And all the main ideas of magisterial reform can be found in one church father or another.
Catholics and Orthodox classify any Church founded after the year 1500 that is not part of their churches as Protestant. However, the churches that actually follow the theology of magisterial reform are the Presbyterians, Lutherans, Anglicans and Continental Reformed. Orthodox and Catholics also treat the Church Fathers as if they had a consensus on everything, but in fact they were extremely pluralistic on every subject you can imagine, but only Protestants have a system that allows them to be honest about it. And all the main ideas of magisterial reform can be found in one church father or another.
I received my sacraments a week before I got married and am now a devout Catholic with 4 children. Fatherhood definitely makes you more traditional - spiritually and philosophically.
Amazing to see brothers of God becoming united. Been a Catholic my whole life but lost my faith when my father died from cancer. Been a strong believer for the last 5 years and plan to attend church as soon as possible.
I am a Catholic and I love my Orthodox friends. I have found great peace in Eastern practices like the Chotki, Anthologion & the Lestovka. I love having both a Mary Garden & an Icon Corner. IC XC NIKA
As someone who lived as an atheist for years I finally could no longer ignore the need and call of Jesus in my life. Evangelical churches got me to actually read my Bible and certainly made me feel welcomed and loved but their worship never felt serious enough. Felt like I was watching a show or a ted talk with a rock concert. Never felt like I had actually worshiped God. Mass has always felt different, both in worship and theology. Studying the apostolic fathers has only strengthened my love of the Catholic and orthodox faiths. They are the church Jesus left behind, and at least for me they were what I needed to truly find Christ.
This is a very interesting video suggestion from RUclips. I'm a Native Hawaiian (kanaka maoli) man, who lives in Hawaii. I was raised by Roman Catholic parents (my maternal lineage is Portuguese, my paternal lineage is Filipino). We used to go to church when I was a kid, but stopped due to real life constraints (family problems I'm not going to share). For all my life since childhood, Christ hasn't really played a large role. In college I delved into understanding my Native Hawaiian heritage. Initially, I was very "decolonize everything," and saw Christianity as a colonial tool used to control my ancestors. But after I learned more, I realized that Native Hawaiians, by and large, willingly abandoned the ancient (pagan) religion and adopted Christianity as the state religion, first Calvinism (via the ABCFM and missionaries like Hiram Bingham), then later Anglicanism (via Church of Hawaii). Without getting too into the weeds on the subject, I learned about how during the period of the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom by the US, Native Hawaiians co-opted the church polities as a means of organizing, typically those Calvinist and Anglican churches. After realizing that my people were devout Christians, and this anti-Christian sentiment is a wholly modern concept, I have devoted myself to learning about the Bible, but in the Hawaiian language. The Hawaiian language is a dying language, and combining this fact with the fact that traditional Hawaiians were very Christian, I embraced the teachings of Christ, and especially attend those first churches built here in Hawaii (Mokuaikaua and Kawaiahao, specifically). It was my yearning to be closer to my Native Hawaiian ethnic identity that brought me to the church, as an adult man. Today, the old churches of Hawaii have been mostly merged. The ABCFM Calvinist churches have merged with the United Church of Christ Hawaii Conference, and the Church of Hawaii Anglican churches have merged with the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii. But many are still attended and ministered by Native Hawaiians. There is a huge Roman Catholic community here, but I can't say there are quite as many Orthodox churches. The Calvinist and Anglican churches have deeper historical and institutional ties to Hawaii than the others. I just wanted to share. Really enjoyed the video. Ke Akua pu.
I wonder how Eastern Orthodox Christians feel about Catholics. I always felt way, way closer to their tradition than most Protestant churches. I feel like they too understand the gravity of the Word and the value placed on conserving tradition, especially in art and music. I think it's such a shame that we split so far apart in the medieval age.
Online orthodoxy seems like post Protestantism and often uses terms like papism. Real world orthodox, especially in Europe, are very friendly with Catholics and they see each other as pretty similar. Orthodoxy can be pretty nationalistic though, so only in that sense there can be animosity.
As a former Catholic, and now very happy orthodox Christian, every day orthodox people are very kind and friendly to Catholics. But we don’t like being compared to them so much because there is so much difference between them and us. In America because it’s been exposed to Catholicism for so long, it is easy to draw comparison between Catholics and the orthodox, and obviously there are many similarities. But we want people to experience orthodoxy for what it is. Which I genuinely believe is a faith more well preserved without innovations or change that is focused more on prayer and sanctification should be more Christlike and to be closer to him than the focus on the magisterium.
Online “Ortho Bros” love hating on Catholics, and the general discourse is orthodox and Catholics yelling at eachother But despite that both sides generally agree that they’re both the closest in similarity compared to any other denomination. Personally as an orthodox Christian I see Catholics as our closest brothers in Christ, and I personally have more of an annoyance with secular non denominational stuff than with Catholics.
It's almost impossible to join an Orthodoxy because it's so intertwined with ethnicity, culture, and nationhood. The Catholic from my understanding has its nationhood, and culture, and ethnicity but is in a pseudo controlled manner because of the Pope in the Vatican. I have no dog in either side, just from my perspective. @@heinoschaapman1584
@@eshanroveran7850Online talk because of anonymity which is fine comes along with faux conflict. I see it online vastly from all sides of the Christian theological talks. Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox, and etc. talking animosity towards the others. It's strange. If you love Jesus, accepted him as Lord and worship him, and believe in the Holy Trinity I think you are good.
Because people have the drive for God, not just surface level theology that most people have heard by now but more that excides the human brain and challenges us on who God truly is. God is not just a nice guy or just a friend. He is the eternal uncreated being that exceeds reality and warps time and anything in existence and not in existence as he pleases. Protestantism undermines that to the degree of infinity.
since when did the Bible have weak theology? Protestants only use the Bible for their theology so to say that they have weak theology appears to imply that you believe the Bible (God's Word) does not contain enough theology and wisdom for you.
I grew up in a non denominational church. My father is the pastor there and a very good one. I have been taught to love freedom and truth and it has led me home to the one true catholic and apostolic Church. I will be confirmed this Easter. Like the Israelites in the wilderness I will go onward from slavery to the holy land. My children will inherit the beauty of the Catholic life and be able to witness their father as a man with Christ on his mind, lips, and heart. My conversion is due to the gentle guidance of The Holy Mother of God through the Rosary. She has led me to her Son's true presence in the Holy Sacrament of the Altar. In the struggle of my exile she has led me to the Manna from Heaven. All glory to Jesus Christ The King of Glory!
As a baby I was baptized as a catholic, but never actually practiced it, I never went to church, nor had christian studies in school. At the age of 20 I felt something missing, at the age of 22 I found everything that I was searching for for 2 years. I am now on the final decesion to be baptized as an Orthodox Christian. Thank God and The Holy Trinity that I have found the truth. May God help us all. Love from Hungary. Amin.
Recent Orthodox convert here. You nailed it brother. I used to be southern baptist and I just felt spiritually empty and it felt like there were things missing that scripture didn’t explain. I am now very happy with my new Antiochian parish.
I was non-denominational before I became Catholic again. I've always had a love for history, and Jesus, so with the craziness of the modern world, I wanted to return to the old church. I also like more structure and ceremonial/professionalism, I'm sure that God wanted me in a new area for this season of my life. Praise Jesus Christ of Nazareth!
Born and lived agnostic/atheist my whole life. Indifferent and uninterested all through my teens. Started looking into different religions in my 20s. Now at 33 (with a wife and 3 kids), I'm going to church for the first time ever. It's a protestant church, so it's not quite as traditional as Catholic or Orthodox, but I find it still miles better than secular society currently.
That's great. Focusing on building a relationship with all 3 person of the Holy Trinity is important😊. As a recent convert to catholicism I think tradition has its place firmly in that, Jesus came to us to save us from our sin without us being in deserving of that. Also though the origins of the church start already with Abel, who offered up everything for the Lord (many sheep, all he could give) while his brother Kains offering was not pleasing to God. This is the leap of faith of Abel that is a mystical foundation of the church (Ecclesia ad Abel) according to St. Thomas. A little bit like the unconditional yes that Mary gave to God.❤ In the end what we do has to be pleasing to God , it has to bear fruits and be faithful to Jesus teaching in the community of saints that is the church. This has been my personal experience. God Bless
As an Orthodox Christian, we are not stoic. We aren't allowed to be so, for a Christian is one who unconditionally shows love and compassion to everyone. No barriers and no ways of doing so, no rules in doing so. We are to love our neighbors and our all loving God.
I don't think he suggests that orthodox Christians are stoic but rather that the people who turn to a more traditional church begin their journey of finding meaning and truth in their life through this philosophy . love and blessings from a fellow Greek orthodox Christian
@@SuperMike1908 ευχαριστώ πολύ! Αν θες, υπάρχει discord server με 3000 μέλη περί της Ορθοδοξίας, βασικά γενικά περί του χριστιανισμού όπου απαντάμε και θέτουμε ερωτήσεις καθημερινού και θεολογικού περιεχομένου.
Been a non-denominational Christian for most of my life, and while I do not plan on joining the Catholics or Orthodoxy, I've even become more studious with my faith. Praise be.
According to Catholic tradition, Jesus Christ founded the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church claims that the New Testament records the events, keep what you belife if you want but this is a catholic point of view and so many people are wrong and judging God for not making a works perfect how could it be
I'm an Orthodox Christian currently listening to Marcus Aurelius. I urge every man to come home to the Orthodox Church. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.
Catholicism and Orthodoxy, western and eastern Rome. The history of our churches are closer than most may remember. As a Catholic I’m happy to hear about the revival in orthodoxy.
51 years old. 40 yrs as a protestant (raised charismatic, lived like hell in my 20's and 30's) came back to the faith, theological lay studies led me to calvinism for 8 years, still wasn't satisfied in my heart, read a book on a topic from an orthodox perspective, which led to more books and you tube. I walked into an orthodox church over a year ago and now recently became a catechumen. I know I have finally found the ancient path, Glory to God!
I’m from Texas not born with a religion even though we said we were Christian. I decided to look into Catholicism because of Italian mafia movies and I thought it was cool and different from my old Baptist church with a sweaty pastor and I became Christian from watching young don thinking it was now cool to be Christian at the age of 15 now ever since then now 17 I’ve looked into theology and philosophy connecting with st Augustine and Plato and I can say Catholicism changed I am a self confessed larper but my parents don’t agree with my religious beliefs but I do plan on taking converting fully to the Catholic Church
Such a good dissertation! While listening I could not stop thinking on how this is happening right in front of my eyes in one of the parishes I attend. I'm a young Catholic man, and I live in one of the least catholic regions of my country in relative numbers and probably the least catholic city of the entire country (and the most degenerate if you allow me to say so). It is also the region where I’d say traditional men, catholic or not, are pushed down and frowned upon the most due to our political landscape. Right next to the university where I study there is a very, very little parish. A friend recently introduced me to a group of young catholic students from our university who meet up every Tuesday in that same parish. There they celebrate Mass and then they eat all together so as to socialize a bit and all of that. I went for the first time last week and we were 10 men (18 to 24 years old) and one little granny for the Mass; and with that the parish was full (I’ve told you it is really small). Our pastor was quite surprised as well. You must bear in mind that both Mass and University are women dominated in terms of numbers in my country (and for that matter, I think this is true for every 1st world country). What you explain in your video really gives a very solid and relatable explanation on this. Nice work man.
I am a born again Christian and I don't need to go anywhere as Bible believing Church is nurturing my spiritual growth. Blessings to you brothers and sisters.
few questions: who established this 'bible believing church'? who wrote the bible? what do you do if members of your church disagree on theology in the bible? who has the authority to declare whats true and not?
@apan990 all your questions are answered in one answer biblically: Holy Spirit, not authority nor tradition of man which Jesus truly condemned. One question for you: Are you born again? How do you know you are?
@@dant1310 so the holy spirit is here with us, physically present, telling us what to believe and not believe?? what happens when mr holy spirit tells ppl 2 different things? and go on to preach different versions of christianity, but both claim to come from the holy spirit? i mean, you guys have thousands of different churches, idk about you but id figure the holy spirit to do a bit more uniting and less dividing.
@@apan990 of course. Read your bible. Read what the Apostles wrote lead by Holu Spirit. Again, read the Scripture. Holy spirit will convice us of our sin, will remind us of the truth, will tell us what's spiritual and what is not. Holy Spirit iluminates us the truth from the Scriptures. I don’t care about different churches organization. You missed the point, it is the indwelling Spirit in the people that make us church, ekklesia, not organizaiton nor the the tradition. Is not as narrow as you catholic and protestant. I get what your intentions to talk about church leadeship and papalship. I respect your choice. You haven't answered my question: Are you born again? Do you know whay it means? Go with peace.
@@dant1310 once again youre avoiding my question. what do you do when you born again protestants disagree on what a biblical passage says, lets takes genesis for example and the creation story, is it literal? or nonliteral? did God make the world in a week, or did he not? what about Jesus proclaiming to eat of his flesh, does he mean that literally, or symbolically, the trinity? 'the holy spirit' means nothing to me when you nondenoms cant agree on anything, if at the very least you were all united in teaching then perhaps thered be a case to listen to what you have to say, but due to the rather simple fact that this is not the case, youre either a) wrong in your beliefs, or b) the holy spirit does a terrible job since you are all so divided, so pick one. as for 'born again' question, i was baptized, so per john 3:3, yes i am, why is that important here tho?
As a buddhist, im happy about the fact that Christianity is growing in America. It's a beautiful and good religion with rich history and traditions, im happy for you, brothers and sisters, we may be going different paths, but we are on the same journey, may all beings be liberated🙏
@@nickgeorgiou123 Love to My Orthodox brothers and sisters in Christ, from a Roman Catholic. I Pray that the 2025 Council of Nicea will be fruitful ✝️❤️☦️.
I think more and more people are seeking fellowship with a community that adheres to the teachings of the Bible in these times when doctrine is being bent to follow the world. I personally love seeing sermons by devout Ortho priests telling it like it is, just like Paul did in his letters. We are to be bold in our faith and proudly invoke the name of our Lord. But so much of current protestant culture has simply accepted the corruption of the world. We are to be meek, not weak.
Personally I love the best of the Anglo-Catyolic tradition but it has, alas, gone so woke and rainbow and hyperfeministic for decades now. It started going woke before wokism even was a thing.
You've nailed it with this video, there's Roman Catholic churches near me, no orthodox church, but I have the same road blocks you've mentioned here. I have started going to an Anglicised church. But I would definitely attend orthodox church if it was possible
My Catholic Church has had 400 new families join in the past couple years, they are having more mass times to accommodate this and in every single mass there are many people standing in the back and on the side because there is no more room in the pews.
If they had as many orthodox churches as Novus Ordo it wouldnt seem to be as many people as you think. In our Midwest town of 100K and few surrounding farm towns, there are almost 40 churches.
I am 24 and a catholic catechumen. I was leaning toward being protestant because of my lack of trust in the pope and then found myself leaning more toward Catholicism and orthodoxy. I finally settled on Catholicism. I still question it, whether or not I should be orthodox or catholic, but I never question whether or not I should be protestant.
This same dilemma plagued me. After many nights of meditation and prayer I found myself a catholic. I really did wrestle with God on this and when I did accept it, I didn’t dive into it. I allowed myself time to take on each doctrine so I could digest it. Continue in prayer and meditation. God bless you.
I was going through that protestant study and i found nothing good on it i felt more disconnected from something man made so i returned to the church our Father founded which is the Catholic now that i practice Cathisism i am feelings more free and more pure,I love Jesus and his mother Mary and i thank the Saints for working with Christ so we could do works for him like he used them for examples, Father Son Holy Spirit un Dios Amen, QUE VIVVA CRISTOOO REYYYY
as a cradle catholic, dont worry about the questioning, i do it all the time lol, yet every time i do, in due time my questions are answered and... oh well you look at that! the answer is still catholicism!
There is definitely a phenomenon of young women successfully converting their husbands to more traditional Christianity. My father was telling me that his parish baptized three young men, all accompanied by their wives/fiancees.
I'm one. I'm from a Protestant family and I married a lapsed Catholic and ex-seminarian, but I surprised him a few years ago when I said I wanted to convert to Catholicism, _AND_ I wanted to go to a TLM. He nearly fell out of his chair, but he ended up coming with me and he accompanied me to my Catechism classes and was surprised at how much he learned.
According to Rodney Stark, the sociologist and historian, women made up 60%+ of converts in the early centuries of the Church and were found even in the imperial households and nobility. They eventually brought the men in their lives to the faith. This is an ancient phenomenon.
This year, I got married, and now I have a baby on the way. I went through a period of crisis thinking of how I could raise a child in such a fractured and rootless society. I was raised Episcopal, but had been away from the Church for over 10 years. In the last 6 months, I started praying from the prayer book (a copy of the Book of Common Prayer that my parents gave me as a child, that I had hardly opened in the past) and have been attending Episcopal churches trying to find one to make "home". My current dilemma is that the Episcopal Church has embraced many of the things that I am hoping to protect my family from. I love the Anglican heritage, but am considering if I should turn to Catholicism.
@@seventeenseventysix5589 Specifically, radical gender ideology. The Episcopal Church is going along with the current zeitgeist in regards to quietly tolerating or embracing transgenderism and queer gender theory. The reason I said "protect" is because I believe this is a mental health crisis afflicting young generations that deserves serious attention, compassion, and pastoral care, but enabling this ideology is akin to enabling a drug addict. People with mental health issues need help, just like drug addicts. Enabling either of them only helps the enabler by allowing them to avoid the problem and feel good about themselves. I say these things not to condemn or stigmatize people going through them, but because I truly believe it is a mental health epidemic that millions of people are suffering from.
@@seventeenseventysix5589 And to wrap up, I believe the Church is forsaking its duty to care for its flock by going along with this ideology, rather than standing firm and presenting a stable message in such a confusing time.
You should definitely convert. The Catholic Church is the only church that has held its ground on many issues that the Main-Line Protestant Churches have left by the wayside. You should talk with your local Parish Priest and get his advice. I'll pray for you and your family. God bless!
@@seventeenseventysix5589 I wrote you a thoughtful and lengthy reply yesterday, but it was deleted, I'm guessing because I used the word tr*nsg*nd*r. Long story short, caving to modern gender ideology, which I consider to be a symptom of the mental health crisis afflicting young generations. I believe the Church should be compassionate and empathetic, but not enable this. Enabling only helps the enabler. The analogy I use is like a drug user, you don't help them by enabling them, even though that seems "nicer".
I'm protestant, I can't really avoid it because that is my belief... But I feel an intern movement towards a reformed church, this instinct of avoiding that modernized ones.
I think Protestantism preach the same thing. What is happening with Orthodoxy and Catholicism is a miracle. Someone started making cool edits and people became curious. Before I think Catholicism was stigmatized and Orthodoxy not known.
Yeah, I think the whole "SPIRITUAL WARFARE, PEOPLE KNOW" is... True, it's not WRONG, but it misses the more mundane truth: people are actually trying to appeal to new people now, people my age with their edits. Is it silly? Stupid? Yes, absolutely. But it *works.*
God is actively reasserting his presence in the lives of those who need it the most, myself included. Praise god almighty, and do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Just realized my comment from the last video made it to here. That's enough for me lol. Subscribed. In all seriousness. I am more leaning towards Ruethean Byzantine Catholicism. Unfornately there are only 3 Orthodox Churches that are available in my area. Too far away to commute to weekly. There is a Eastern Catholic Maronite Church that hosts a Byzantine Rite every two weeks with a priest who drives 1 hour to get there. So yeah definitely want to attend to that more.
I am Orthodox, and have been for decades, sans a period of apostasy. Returning to a church full of converts was wild. I now seek to attend ethnic Churches because there are so many wet-behind-the-ears zealots, (many autistic, let's be frank) that have brought their legalistic, protestant finger-pointing and puffery. The faith is tge dame, but the "texture" of American Orthodoxy has been Protestantized. As a Sociologist, I can easily and confidently say that demographic changes are the key predictor of social change. You simply cannot absorb more converts than existing members, and expect the dynamic of things to stay the same. Onle of the things I love(d) about Orthodoxy was the quiet confidence in the faith and truth. The constant desire to preach, correct, justify and explain is not that of a confident person - but someone who changed their mind/view about things, and is trying to compensate for that and confirm and reassure THEMSELVES that they have found the "truth". (Convincing others is one way they are able to reassure themselves that what they have bought into is correct) But, I can also tell you that a faith that lives above the eyebrows is not sufficient. All the logic and argumentatiin in the world will have little effect. Christ must be in your heart. For that, you don't even need to know every canon and council - you need to live what the faith purports. A 1st year catechumen rudely dressing down everyone who says "filioque" as their primary concern does not seem to be indicative of that - or even a good approach. Anyway... the Church is always very simple, and very complicated, and it is the human side that leads to the latter. I only hope that I live long enough to repent of my own sins, and may God bless us all. Even the insufferable, autistic, overzealous converts.
11:00 I cannot get over this painting. I just love how the man on his cell phone is seeing Jesus behind him in the reflection. I can just imagine him trailing off mid-sentence as his eyes go wide. Well done whoever the painter is.
When I was a catechumen I heard that song and couldn't help but chuckle a bit at the thought of protestants asking for "Old time religion". Wasn't that something that they wanted to get away from?
For me one big thing in regards to tradition, I'm one of the few people under 60 that want to keep our old church's pipe organ. It's almost 100 years old and is just beautiful. Built into the walls and everything. We *could* get a lot of money for it *if* we had a buyer that could fund a lot of stuff, but the work and money it would require to uninstall it is not worth it without a guaranteed buyer. So needless to say I've been praying that we never find a buyer for it 😂 and to top it off next month begins my pipe organ lessons that our church is paying for so it can be used since our only other guy that knows how to work it no longer goes to our church (he moved). Very excited lol
I was raised Catholic and attended a private Catholic school for eight years, even serving as an altar boy for many of them. Now, I’m engaged to a woman who embodies traditional homemaker values and shares a strong desire to have children - very much the type of partner described in the video. Despite these shared values, neither of us have any interest in being involved with the church. For over a decade, I’ve been a firm believer in stoicism, viewing it as a guiding philosophy that promotes self-reliance and inner strength. While I recognize that religion provides structure and support for many, I personally see it as a crutch for those unable to cultivate self-worth and direction on their own. Our lack of involvement in the church has, at times, made it difficult to form connections with other couples, even when we share similar morals, values, and life goals - simply because we don’t participate in organized religion. Just thought I’d share that perspective.
Good luck with that. When you feel exhausted, remember that Jesus invites you to come to him for rest. To clarify, HE is what you'll need in the organized religion, not the organized religion itself.
As some one who is forced to be non denominational right now as having a hard time choosing a denomination. I got to say his right about the pope being a massive road block to joining Catholicism. Although I have other problems with some catholic doctrine none are road blocks as saying the pope as authority over the bible / word of god. As well as saying his infallible. For me I have no problem with church having authority over the faith and guiding those with in it. But for me the bible is the Sole thing we can rely on to call out fallible people who miss lead's us. So then telling me that some how despite being no different from you or I some one being given a rank making him unquestionable and infallible on decisions of faith to the point that theoretically he could go against the bible and not be questioned is something I look at with concern. Considering that any historical research into the medieval age would tell you that popes are not infallible and can do some quite stupid things. From dragging their predecessors out of their graves to put them on trial to saying black cats are from the devil. Another thing to note is that protestants to a lot of non denominational believe that ONLY god can be infallible. Thus any claim to that is like a claim to be god to us. Hence why a lot of rejection towards the idea of the popes power. Apart from the other reasons
@@dentryn4365 Thing is I have heard the catholic arguments towards this and although a lot were good argument given legitimacy by the fact that a lot of founding fathers of the church today were catholic. Still does not quell my concerns of mans infallibility and the dangers of giving my man the title of "infallible". (From many sources Catholics claim that technically the pope is not infallible and can make mistakes but at certain points god greats him infallibility which to me is just a very long way to so um actually but ends in the same result) In the end its only in the infallible god I can ever truly trust and thus his word and bible. Not to say that No priest or bishop of any of our holy denominations cant be trusted to preach his word faithfully for most can however I will hold each of their words accountable to the word of god. If I became catholic I just fear I could not do the same with the pope.
@@steveripethefustercluck. Presently this Pope is of grave concern, but there have been good and bad in the history of the Church and it has withstood the test of time. This too shall pass. As far as infallibility, may I suggest Dr. Taylor Marshall's podcasts, a convert to the Catholic faith as well as Scott Hahn, also a convert. There is also Catholic|Answers.
@@steveripethefustercluck. If this helps, look at Dr. Taylor Marshall's podcast as well as Scott Hahn who were both converts to the Catholic faith. They cover a broad range of topics in support of the Catholic faith and issues with the Papacy. I admit that the present Pope is of concern for many, but there have been good and bad in the history of the Church but it has withstood the test of time. Many are turning to Catholic tradition again and I agree that their words and ours will be accountable before God.
The reason why for Catholics the Pope has a say in the Bible is that historically, the Bible we have today came AFTER the Church led by the Pope. Your Bible was organized and even written by the Pope-led Church through the work of the Holy Spirit. If the Church began with Pentecost, obviously there was no written New Testament yet.
I have grown up protestant but it never really resonated with me but in recent years me and my brother have been looking to the Orthodox church. We both have been more fulfilled by Orthodox then by protestants churches.
Traditional Anglican checking in. No King Henry didnt found the church - read The Catholic Religion by Vernon Staley. Much love to my Orthodox and Catholic brothers and sisters.
I have recently become a Catechumen at my church, month prior 2 had become catechumen, the week after i joined 3 more were blessed, a month after that 2 more were made catechumen.
I spent 15 years as an atheist, realized the size of my ego and humbled myself again with god. This started in the Protestant church, it was unfulfilling and commercialized, feminized you could say. I’m now a catechumen of the orthodox faith and my path has never been clearer.
Former episcopal converted to the great orthodoxy. Take up the armor of christ brothers. Join us in the spiritual battle. "Lord Jesus Christ, son of god, have mercy on me, a sinner."
@kevinkelly2162 The way I was taught interpret the Bible as a Protestant certainly didn't. All in meant was reading Marcus Aurelius led me to read other Roman and Greek writers, then from there I began reading the Church Fathers. Reading the Bible didn't magically give me correct theology, nor does it for anyone.
@@kevinkelly2162The Bible is part of sacred revelation (sacred scripture + holy tradition). I think all Christians agree that the Bible is very important, the issue is how to interpret though. The Papal Magisterium is there to uphold unity and the right teaching.
@@karlheven8328 No it is not. It is a collection of stories from different bronze age cultures collected and put together between about 1500 BC and 1000AD. Different cultures saw utility in adopting some parts of it as their scripture. The Roman empire did so in 400 AD. That eventually became what we call Christianity. The appropriating continues to this day and spawns different religious groups who all differ as to the origin and meaning and validity of aforementioned scripture. All of course believe their intrpretation is right and use different methods to persuade others that this is so, Catholics use the technique of giving things big important sounding names. like Magisterium. What it really means is the bunch of guys that got together and made this up. You see this with the American Founding Fathers, also just a bunch of guys. Strangely enough they too are said to have been inspired by God.
In the World, where everybody tells you that God doesn't exist, and there's nothing after death, you start to realise: "If it doesn't matter, why should I stay alive? If it doesn't matter after all, then why should I leave?" That's the question I asked myself. That's what caused me to return to Christ. He gives me hope and destiny. Today's society is cursed. Everybody fell for modern pleasures, trying to copy the inteligent people that says "There's no God". But they're wrong. Without God it has no destiny. It has no purpose. Without Christ it doesn't matter. I'm Polish. Here we had a long traditions of going to Church, which was supressed by Communists for almost half of the century. And we still prayed to God. My mom always took me to Church. I couldn't understand why were we going. But NOW I understand. Look at the West. There's everywhere people that says that there's no God. They don't believe. We can't lose it, because if we lose God, we lose our hope. This hope always kept Poland going against supressors. We have to stay with that, because THIS is the culture that's building. Not the modern culture that's ruining.
When I read the bible seeing the hope given to the sick, like the beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores in the parable for example, this made me think "what hope" does atheism give to someone who is sick having no hope of gaining a comfortable living. Why should they go on living if there is no hope of the afterlife in heaven. Everything is pointless suffering, no reason to live, and even less so if you have "drawn the short straw in life". For a rich and heathy in this life it is harder to see the treasures in the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who have little to lose and everything to gain see the light often more clearly, the hope that is in Christ of a new and better life. If you have the "perfect life in this age" it becomes a trap where it blinds you to the Good news. Treasure of faith is more worth than any health or money in this life. If someone is poor in faith, they have no hope beside what they have in this life that will come to an end. John 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. James 2:5-7 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. Revelation 3:16-18 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
I approach this more cynically than most. Every Ideology tears you down as a man in the cynical and secular modern era. Christianity and Islam pick you up. What else do we have even if we have scorned religion for our whole lives?
Orthodoxy is for americans more "exotic". As protestant they raised up with negativ feelings about catholicism. Now they are searching something old, who is like catholicism but isn't catholicism. As a catholic from the balkans, i have mixed feeling about the orthodox church, because i get to know the orthodox church as a fascistic institut but never had issues with protestantism (european protestantism), only after i saw how american protestants ticks and their hate against catholicism. I will remain till i die catholic because i appreciate the missionary work of the catholic church to spread the faith through the whole world and the martyrs who died doing it... thats something i realy miss in the orthodox church... especially the orthodox church in the balkans who are more concern to assimilate neighbours to their nation instead of to spread the gospel. I like the unity of the catholic church... orthodoxy isn't united, it's more like protestants denominations, but divided into national churches with their own head. It's just my feeling and maybe i'm totally wrong.
Thank you for your point of view and appreciation for the good that the Catholic Church has done! Your point about church growth through national assimilation is very interesting.
@ assimilation and fascism is for sure a balkan thing, catholic croats are not better… but when I look to Ukraine and Russia it‘s the same with their orthodox churches. They‘re more interested in nationality instead of Jesus. They want only to show that their nation is superior to the other. The head of the albanian orthodox church, which separated 100 years ago from the greek orthodox church because they wanted the liturgy in albanian and not greek, is at the moment greek and he is more interested to assimilate orthodox albanians to greek (and destroy the albanian orthodox church) instead of sharing the gospel to muslim albanians. For example the albanian catholic church is verx patriotic too, but they know what they‘re doing and since the last year very active in missionary works. Sometimes hundres of albanian muslim converts per day to catholicism in Kosovo or Albania.
As a high church Protestant (and pretty satisfied about it right now) I find both to be attractive to a lot of people simply because of the call of the exotic. When a lot of these people talk about “finding Jesus in the Church,” keep in mind that this is a first blush experience with a given worship style. And so when they say this, they aren’t necessarily talking about an experience of Jesus, or an understanding of Real Presence (also, until they officially join, no Eucharist. They also can’t have, in a space of a few weeks or months have that deep of an understanding of the theology. It’s just a worship service with smells, bells and chanting. They don’t know much about the religion itself, they might not understand the language (especially since a lot of them like TLM catholic or ethnic orthodox services which might not be in English and I don’t think they know Latin or Russian). The other bit is that quite often the things that they think are unique to apostolic churches are things that are taught in confessional Protestant churches. The theological differences between a conservative Lutheran, a high church Anglican, and a Catholic are less than people think. Even Presbyterian churches share a lot of the theology. We just don’t teach it. I don’t think most churches bother to teach their own confessions anymore which makes those exotic traditional churches seem deeper than they are. If the first time you hear about Christianity telling you to be a good father, I think it’s a failure of your old church. Lutherans and Anglicans teach good fatherhood, the centrality of goodness and good character in the life of a believer, and so on.
I was raised Baptist but never resonated with Christianity and so rejected it totally when I was a teen. Was atheist for a decade maybe and then became agnostic. Became interested in Buddhism and Hinduism but outside of a general interest in conciousness and meditation I never truly explored them. About 2 years ago I became interested in the occult and really just any religion, spiritual, magical or religious thought. The whole time avoiding Christianity because I thought I knew it already and rejected it. And also just felt like I couldn't be bothered to read the Bible as it's so big and daunting. In my studies I came across the Jefferson Bible which is just a compact collection of the teachings of Jesus and I figured that'd be a good read. So I get it, it sits on my shelf for a months and I finally decide to read it. It changed something in me like nothing else. I felt half way through that I loved Jesus. I kept saying "I love this man" because how how true and impactful every word was. Half way through I felt like I wanted to become Christian. Now I've read the gospels multiple times over and am working through the old testiment and new testement epistles. I haven't joined a church and am unsure if I want to yet. But I now consider myself Christian. Spent most of my life laughing at it and thinking I understood it. And almost immediately as I finally dropped my guard and let it speak I was convinced.
so basically what I got out of it is: EO is a cope for protestants who can't get to admit the papacy is legit. it's not bad, at least they abandoned the heresy of protestantism, and they might eventually see though the EO brothers are apostolic, they are incorrect about the papacy, and more importantly, they aren't truly universal like the catholic church is. babysteps for now.
@@countryboyred btw, do you realise you just showed with your comment just how shallow your faith is? "due to the remark of someone I dislike I could never become roman catholic". let that sink in. as if it's about liking people. it's not. I don't even care much for the current pope, but he is the pope and the RCC is the only church that has the full truth, be there people I like or dislike. It's about truth, not churchhopping. Thank you for your interesting comment that revealed this.
I thought this same thing as I found Jesus sometime late 2022 and at the same time I found him I noticed an uptick online in the other young men also finding Jesus and I think this is a sign for the end times as the Father said in the end times I will pour out my spirit
I went from being Southern Baptist to Atheist and came back to Christianity once I encountered the holy spirit. I stopped believing because there was so much evil in the world and I didn't understand why my mother had to suffer the way she did because she was so good to me, but I started experiencing things that had no explanation other than god. Many broken relationships and seeing my grandmother pass helped me see the good and evil in the world. My entire set of morals changed. It's insane how you're changed once you come back to Jesus and fully accept him.
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My Orthodox Church has grown like 50% since I’ve converted in chicago, and wow, there are so so many children in my church now. One family has 9 children
Good lord.
Good! Become one of them :)
My great grandmother had 11 children, my grandma had 4 and my mother had 2. We need stronger and larger family units in the west.
nice, which branch of orthodoxy?
9 wow! I wish that could be me. Very difficult in this economy and hardly any good womenleft in the west.
Former atheist to Catholic here from Amsterdam. Had my first Mass last Sunday in the Basilica of Saint Nicholas. Beautiful church✝️
Make sure to bring your friends! Europe needs it!
Congratulations and welcome home. Stay strong for Christ and all his Holy Church
Keep it up! May the love and peace of the Lord fill your heart.
Welcome home 🇻🇦❤
Come to Orthodoxy brother ☦️
we are in a spiritual battle and men have instinctively recognized this and are preparing to enter the fight.
Based
I relate, the more the world got crazy and upside down the more I was drawn to Christ.
@@mrcoolr429 Well said. We, the men the Lord has called to himself, will stand and fight!
Lmfao no they havent. You're just psychotic.
@@YANNI_777 This!!
My soul yearns for unity between the Catholics and the Orthodox. I don't know if it'll happen in my lifetime, but the church needs to breathe with both lungs.
I think you'll like to read True Life in God, then. The mystic who wrote it was Greek Orthodox. She passed some 3 or 4 months ago. But her book has the seals of approval by the Catholic Church. She was specially having a mission of speaking of unity between all. She allegedly received messages from Jesus.
But no unity between the protestants? We should strive for an entire unity of Christians, stop this one true Church complex thing and realize we all are children of God.
it exists and always has been, the Catholic church has 24 rites so that people can worship the way their ancestors did but within the traditions and truths of Christ church. These rites are only existent as they're practiced, there used to be a Gaelic rite for the old Irish who were converting the Britons, Scots, and Anglo-Saxons, but overtime the Irish understood the faith independently of old Druid knowledge and they didn't use/want their rite anymore. Now about Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches reuniting with Rome, well its been happening ever since they left... Thats how we got the Ukrainian Byzantine rite, Russian Byzantine rite, Greek Byzantine rite, Assyrian rite, and more... These rites formed after Orthodox churches ended their Schism with Rome, obviously not all but many through the centuries rejoined Rome. Not only once 1000's of years ago but in waves throughout the centuries! If you believe in Christ promise to the church that it will last forever and believe in the patience of process (meaning not everything important will be in our families lifetimes) then I do believe it is inevitable that the two half's will reunite one day, and with how the world is now with little people understanding religion very deeply while the majority doesn't know anything, the differences will slowly start to disappear as people generalize traditional Christianity all together. Also all Christians know that one denomination/church is true so all you have to do is look at which ones change and disappear with the times.
@@TheCatholicNerd I pray that the 2025 Council of Nicea will be fruitful.
Love to My Orthodox brothers and sisters in Christ, from a Roman Catholic
✝️❤️☦️
A lot of people want this. There's a prayer book from lancelot andrewes press that has text venerating saints from both Catholic and Orthodox churches. I'd really like to get one
Can confirm the fatherhood portion. Was an atheist for 10 years. Got married and had a beautiful daughter. My baptism was this past Easter. Praise God
Mine too. Welcome home.
Praise God.
God bless you, brother. Welcome to the family.
I’m not a believer myself, so I’m curious what exactly convinced you to believe. Would you mind answering that?
@KingKador101 can't speak for him, but for me after my first son was still born I found comfort in religion and after life because it felt really unfair.
@@just_your_localguard9612 I'm sorry to hear that. May the Lord comfort you in your grief.
Southern black Baptist to Catholic here. My younger brother converted and was confirmed a few months ago. I'm going through OCIA at an Ordinariate parish. My class is all men, about 15 of us, between the ages of 60-18
@rockroc1 And you still need to find out if you're going to Heaven when you die. Moving from one distraction from that from that to another distraction from that still doesn't change the fact that your religious self-identity is not going to cleanse you from your sin: ONLY the MAN Christ Jesus, God the Son, can do that for you - 1 Timothy 2:5.
(And yes, the Apostolic doctrine is to KNOW whether you're going to Heaven or not, making Roman Catholicism a non-Apostolic heresy: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye HAVE eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of (of a religion/church? No, rather on the name of) the Son of God." - 1 John 5:13 (SAINT John the APOSTLE)
That's awesome. My anti-catholic husband and i also attended the ordinariate (for daily mass) and evangelical on sunday. Soon we found our spiritual life deepening greatly with the catholic ordinariate, TLM, and eastern catholic. I reverted within 6 months and my husband a few years later. Our relationship feels very blessed. We've been humbled and sanctified. The daily rosary and scripture reading, with mass is a game changer. Confession is my fave!
@@gunstar168What are you?
@@miracles_metanoia Amen! Our lesson in OCIA (RCIA) last week was about Confession. When they said the Catholic Church was the fullness of the faith, they were not joking. It feels as if I've gone from a puddle to an ocean. Learning about the Church Fathers, early councils, and history solidified my faith. God is good! I'm so happy to be serving the Lord.
Just become a high church protestant like Lutheran, Anglicans, Presbyterian or Dutch Reformed (you know, the churches that actually follow the Magisterial Reformation) and you can have tradition and right teaching without failing in the great errors of both Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox.
It's literally what happened to me... Stoicism then from my spiritual, Pagan practises, back to my Catholic roots, and I am so grateful for it! I now read Stoicism and the Bible
Christianity is necessary to keep our civilization , theres no way without jesus...
Yep cuz lets worship a father who killed his son. Or kills himself depends if you truly believe in the trinity which the Bible itself destroys. Jesus himself released a dove saying holy spirit returning. And his father who is in heaven. Lmao 🤣
@@Andres-bz7dqDo you want me to educate you on the Bible? Your comment implies to me that you are a very illiterate man who does not read and only scoffs at others.
@@Andres-bz7dqDo you want to understand the Bible, or only scoff and cry?
@@Andres-bz7dq if you come bearing hate to a Christian channel. prepare to be rightfully humbled. you could've just asked what the trinity is and we would've told you, nowhere in the Bible was the trinity contradicted or "destroyed", it's just that you might've misunderstood some verses, which happens even to the best of us
@lukasjetu9776 lmao 🤣 humbled how I'm not humbled at all bud. I will not worship a god who kills his child. A god we can trace to polythiestic religion. El yhwh and baal can all be traced 🙄 humble me with your made up science.
I see it as a real blessing that Easter falls on the same day for Catholic & orthodox people this year! Glory to God ☦️
Kind of shows the schism of the church.
Oh joy! I didn't realize until now! God bless ♡✝️
Glory to the Risen Christ!
Glory be to Jesus Christ our Lord, The Father and our creator and The Holy Ghost our sanctifier!
God bless ☦️🙏
Didn’t grow up with religious family but thankfully found Christ through my friends in 2020. I’m reading the Bible from cover to cover and going to church.
God bless you, brother! Don't forget to pray the Bible! It's not a book, it's actually a Library (;
Welcome Home Brother - to Church
Former protestant (baptist) in the process of converting to Catholicism!
God bless you on your journey. I did the same late last year (from Lutheranism) in Germany.
✝️🇻🇦🙏
Will be praying for you, brother, welcome home🙏
Similar path for me
Just become a high church protestant like Lutheran, Anglicans, Presbyterian or Dutch Reformed (you know, the churches that actually follow the Magisterial Reformation) and you can have tradition without failling in the great erros of both Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox.
@@pedroguimaraes6094 sorreh m8. No high church for me. I don't do drugs👍
In My little parish, in Oklahoma, I have,seen a lot of young couples with children coming to Mas. Men, today, need the example of St. Joseph..
Dude me too, it's shocking because it's so protestant here in our state but trad christianity is growing. I still get criticisms for my beliefs from other Christians and try to avoid debates. Compare this to Catholics, who gave me an icon of Fr. Rother and we wish each other a spiritually fruitful fast. Speaking of, I hope your Nativity Fast goes well this year!
@BobDebbie-p6r I don't remember a single example of St. Joseph confessing to a priest, replacing Christ as his intercessor and mediator with his wife Mary, outwardly washing his body in water to rid himself of his inward sin, or bowing down to and serving images (Exodus 20:5). So, what example of St. Joseph are you referring to?
@cfroi08 Christ's enemies called their religion "Trad Judaism" as well: "For laying aside the (inward) commandment of God, ye hold the (outward) tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do." - Mark 7:8, Matthew 15:1-3
@@gunstar168oh, I recall the Israelites insanely venerating the ark of the covenant, a relic carved with statues and IMAGES in Gold.
I also recall the Bible telling you to ask others to pray for you. Also Mary doesn’t replace Jesus at all, where did you learn that? Pastor bobs Bible church? Do better. Convert to Christs church or you willingly reject the authority Christ gave HIMSELF
@@gunstar168 being baptized is all over the New Testament. Yikes. Holy mother of God pray for us. St. Joseph pray for us. St. Peter, pray for us.
God have mercy on mine but also this man’s soul, who rejects your church you granted authority to and interprets the Bible not fully. God help all men follow Christ and change the world amen.
Definitely feeling called out in regards to stoicism lol.
Though when choosing between Orthodoxy and Catholicism, I found the idea that a single Holy Church is what Christ wanted. The criticisms of the Holy Church ultimately seems to come down to the idea that the Holy Church is in fact a divine institution, but it is filled with flawed men of the earth who need delivery from sin as much as the rest of us.
Things get more interesting when you learn about the inquisition and what it's real job ultimately was: to stop false conversions, and those that have claimed to have converted to not preach things not within the doctrine.
Amen. I'm glad you made the right choice. God bless you.
Stoicism and Christianity are inseparable. Stoicism is the how to get out of bed in the morning, Christianity is the why you should get out of bed in the morning. Christianity is Greco-Roman philosophy with Semitic lipstick.
Great points! I think it's important to remember that Jesus promised the gates of Hades would not prevail against His Church and that the Holy Spirit would guide it into all truth. In Orthodoxy, no single person is considered so divinely guided that they can make changes on their own. That’s why the Church functions more like a 'blockchain'-decisions require the consensus of the whole, ensuring the faith stays unchanged and true to what was handed down from the apostles.
Trust me, I the most skeptical person you know. I typically don't trust people ESPECIALLY government institutions or companies. So I understand why someone would default to the protestant position of "I can't trust men to make decisions because they are corrupt".
But I trust in these bishops because I BELIEVE AND TRUST Jesus. HE PROMISED US THIS.
It's very refreshing to have an institution that I know is divinely guided to be correct. That it isn't just a 1 man show etc. I love the orthodox church
Just baptized EO in September. There are so many new inquirers and Catechumens, and not just men but couples with young children.
Same thing is happening here at the local Catholic Parish AND my friend's Orthodox parish it's beautiful, we got 60 catachumens/candidates and they have like 10-20!
Last year I was at a monastery for a work party. It was the largest they had ever seen, 50 people with just over half being catechumen/inquirer.
Baptist > Anglican > Eastern Orthodox for me. My church has 20-30 catechumens at the moment, and from Pascha to Pascha we have received between 30 and 40 people each year since Covid. There are a lot more single men than women, about 5 women and 40 men at my church, but women are starting to show up as catechumens more often and over the next 5 years there is a huge number of girls in the church who will reach marriageable age, so it's an imbalance that will eventually get ironed out.
@@DiMacky24 I went Mormon-> Orthodox -> Catholic
@@stizmac88 Same story with my RCIA class.
There were couples with infants and a couple with small children.
There were also single men and women too, from young adults to middle aged.
Atheist most of my life, came to Christ as a Baptist and after much research and soul seeking am now a Catechumen in the Greek Orthodox Church. God is so good. ☦️
what made u take that decision ? I'm a Roman Catholic and atm struggling with my faith
@@Gavin_Francis_123 pray brother, and pray as if you're talking to him, like christ is next to you. Which he is. Questioning your faith isn't bad, it means the seeds of your faith are planted and sprouting. The world is testing the devotion of your sprouting faith. But adversity makes you stronger. Whatever questions you have, ask God, ask yourself and if you have a priest or a knowledgeable Christian friend. Ask them. Christ has faith in you brother, keep faith in him.
@@Gavin_Francis_123 there is problably not a big reason you should stay at the catholic church. and follow a catechism that way you can learn about the church and her theachings. ask youre priest things and not poeple online. and i advise you to look at the Traditional latin mass it is very beautiful!!
Ex-evangelical reverted to Catholicism here. On my way to having my first confession and communion now at 16 years old. God is good 🙏
Welcome home. God bless you
Welcome home young man.
God bless you.
welcome home!
Praise be to our Lord!!!!!
Welcome Home Brother - to Church
From an Orthodox Christian from Georgia (the country), thank you for your time and efforts into making this content! I feel like the world needs this the most right now!
The traditional Protestant church is growing as well. Everyone is opening their eyes to mainstream Christianity and its liberalism. I’m a Southern Baptist pastor, very traditional. This past year the Southern Baptist Convention (nationwide United States) saw the biggest influx of new members and baptism in the last 26 years!! Btw I love my Catholic and Orthodox brothers. We’re all declaring the same Gospel. Perhaps one day the “separated brethren” will be restored
God bless you, may your congregation flourish, and our efforts for unity be carried by Gods grace! Thank you for what you said about sharing the same Gospel, that was refreshing to hear.. Im a recent Catholic convert, so it's frustrating being accused of believing a "false gospel of works", so often, when we all believe in coming to Jesus in faith, by the grace of God (I'm familiar with the differences in how we define Justifcation/Sanctification, which causes some misunderstandings about how "works" fit into this, but trying to explain that common ground hasn't gone over very well!)
Used to be agnostic most of my life, but not long ago. As an academic and expert in medieval studies I've spent a lot of time analysing past and present, while calculating outcomes of the future.
And every time in every scenario I got to same conclusion. The world became diabolic and degenerate because it no longer applies moral principles set by Christianity, and without restoring them all I can see is future way worse then this.
Way more immoral and narcisistic people, commercialisation of every aspect of life and complete detatchment of individuals from community amd culture. In other words, bleached, homogenois mass of empty egocentric people with no sense of identity or community.
I don't want to rise my son in that world, so I did my part.
I embraced Faith.
I want you all the best and much more conversions brother Pastor, and as Catholic I appriciate your words of love and reconsiliation, I hope that your vision will became True.
Praise be to our Lord.❤
I am a devout Roman Catholic, and have theological differences with my protestant brothers and sisters, and do think my protestant brothers and sisters are living somewhat unfulfilled Christian lives. Mainly because of the lack of the saints and deep church history. BUT, I will never deny their love and devotion for our Lord, Jesus Christ, and nor will I ever deny their salvation. God bless you and your family and your congregation, my brother in Christ. We are not at war with each other, but with evil.
Yeah, you guys all need to come home to Orthodoxy haha. Doctrine is just as important as belief…don’t you think we should worship the way Christ and his Apostles laid down? And the way the men who studied under the apostles and the men who studied under them? Orthodoxy is the original church straight from Jesus in an unbroken chain. Man added his own ideas to things thus Catholics, then that domino effect resulted in Protestantism
@@norwardradtke1361 you speak truth Brother, Orthodoxy and Coptism is most direct formal teaching of christianity we have today. I respect orthodoxy the most. I am traditionally Catholic, so I embraced it (even though Catholicism is result of political schism from early medieval period).
As a member of aristocracy I cannot convert, but I respect orthodoxy and speak fondly of it. Main problem in main country is that we do not have independant orthodox church, it is under the jurisdiction of neighbouring state, so most orthodox people here are member of that ethnic group, and they are not looking fondly of newcomers, which is sad.
As an Orthodox Christian, I have always been proud to know that through it all we have been a constantly growing faith. And it's wonderful to see the same is now happening to our Catholic cousins too.
Our churches are the two lamp stands
Not cousins, brothers! We must rejoice together, in unity, for Christ is our Lord and the Church His bride!
Converted late last year from Lutheranism (am 25 yo) to Catholicism in Germany.
Awesome! Bring your friends to mass.
Sehr stark
Well done. You're a mini version of the Counter Reformation! 👍
@@karlheven8328 Wilkommen!
Unfortunate. Missouri Synod Lutheranism is probably the best Protestant sect in terms of following the direct Word of God. By joining the Catholics you have endorsed an earthly bureaucracy.
I was a baptist who has been attending my "local" Orthodox church (40 minutes away) for about a year and in the short time I've been attending the church has been more and more crowded every Sunday. Actually last Sunday we had ushers instructing people to sit closer and we still ran out of room. The church was so full we now have people standing in the aisles and the fire marshals have started to get annoyed. We are in a college town and the parish is about 150 members and we just hit Catechumen number 75!!! (Im number 52) Tons of young families and college kids. The church actually voted to start a building fund because we just cant hold everyone anymore. I love my church, my priest, and the fullness of faith I never found before. That said, why did i Choose Orthodoxy over Catholicism? Both Vatican 1 and 2 are massive issues for me as well as looking at church history its pretty obvious to me that Orthodoxy is on the right side of the Schism, but I still love my Catholic brothers and pray for reconciliation w yall and the Copts as well.
gonna need a bigger church.
Praise God.
☦☦️
We will do it! The Holy Spirit is amongst us and He does not rest! Hallelujah!
I was protestant for my whole life (I'm 41). I was baptized into Holy Orthodoxy in April. I joined for one reason. Jesus Christ. "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified."
So you threw overboard the true and simple faith in the cross, and joined a church known for its corruption and confusion?
If anyone is closest to "Christ Alone" it is the literal Lutheran Church who coined that very Slogan by resisting ctholic heresy..
@@a-sheep-of-christ God bless you, brother.
@@a-sheep-of-christ i agree for the most part, but look at the state of mainline lutheranism, amd protastantism in general..
@@a-sheep-of-christ false dichotomy between the Cross and the Church. Modern Lutheranism is a joke. Many of them have been conquered by the rainbow flag.
@@a-sheep-of-christ Luther was a mentally ill man who had zero connection with the Orthodox Church. Many Lutheran churches have already been conquered by the rainbow flag.
In 2020, I was the only catechumen and convert that whole year in my Orthodox parish. Now, this year, we’ve received 2 new converts and 14 catechumens. The growth is a blessing and shows that tradition in church is absolutely necessary!
I am one of 8 catechumens in my local parish, which has only 50 people. All 8 of us are the only ones in the church below the age of 40.
Its no doubt that the church is becoming larger. Men, particularly young men, are becoming orthodox much faster than ever because they have finally opened their eyes to the history of the church and taken a serious look.
I converted to Christianity 2 years ago, and I only personally know people who attend Baptist churches. So I adopted all of their doctrine. But in the past month or 2 I've been studying the Protestant reformation and this has led me to reject Protestant Christianity by way of rejecting the very core doctrines it started with, how much it contradicts the ancient Church, and seeing how modern churches have even taken it further and essentially created their own theology. I've been trying to discern between Catholicism and Orthodoxy, and The Papacy is the one thing holding me back from joining the Catholic Church.
Love your channel btw, can't wait to see you gain more popularity
I was deciding between orthodoxy and Catholicism 2 years ago (as a lifelong evangelical).Finally I picked the latter because it was more accessible physically speaking (church nearby). I converted at age 72.
I had the exact same dilemma in my journey as well. I'm currently in OCIA and converting to Catholicism. I was convinced that the Pope(or Bishop of Bishops) was a historical fact through various theological arguments and the testimony of the Church Fathers. Joe Heschmeyer on Shameless Popery has some fantastic videos about the Catholic argument for the Papacy that I would recommend watching. God bless you in your journey!
same situation, ended up catholic. read St. Pope Agtho’s letter in the Third Council of Constantinople. His letter was received ecumenically and universally throughout the entire church not only do I think it teaches papal “supremacy” (this word doesn’t really describe our position really it would Primacy) but I think it’s so abundantly clear from his letter that everybody hates talking about it. The orthodox will either say it’s not infallible, not a good translation, or it just has “flowerly” language and I think all of these explanations fall short of the words of this holy saint which he makes himself abundantly clear and speaks for the entire church and the council, definitely give this a read
Catholics and Orthodox classify any Church founded after the year 1500 that is not part of their churches as Protestant. However, the churches that actually follow the theology of magisterial reform are the Presbyterians, Lutherans, Anglicans and Continental Reformed.
Orthodox and Catholics also treat the Church Fathers as if they had a consensus on everything, but in fact they were extremely pluralistic on every subject you can imagine, but only Protestants have a system that allows them to be honest about it. And all the main ideas of magisterial reform can be found in one church father or another.
Catholics and Orthodox classify any Church founded after the year 1500 that is not part of their churches as Protestant. However, the churches that actually follow the theology of magisterial reform are the Presbyterians, Lutherans, Anglicans and Continental Reformed.
Orthodox and Catholics also treat the Church Fathers as if they had a consensus on everything, but in fact they were extremely pluralistic on every subject you can imagine, but only Protestants have a system that allows them to be honest about it. And all the main ideas of magisterial reform can be found in one church father or another.
I received my sacraments a week before I got married and am now a devout Catholic with 4 children. Fatherhood definitely makes you more traditional - spiritually and philosophically.
Welcome Home Brother - to Church
As a Baptist, it’s good to see my Catholic and Orthodox brothers come together. Our fight is not with each other, but rather the evils of this world.
Amazing to see brothers of God becoming united. Been a Catholic my whole life but lost my faith when my father died from cancer. Been a strong believer for the last 5 years and plan to attend church as soon as possible.
I am a Catholic and I love my Orthodox friends. I have found great peace in Eastern practices like the Chotki, Anthologion & the Lestovka. I love having both a Mary Garden & an Icon Corner. IC XC NIKA
As someone who lived as an atheist for years I finally could no longer ignore the need and call of Jesus in my life. Evangelical churches got me to actually read my Bible and certainly made me feel welcomed and loved but their worship never felt serious enough. Felt like I was watching a show or a ted talk with a rock concert. Never felt like I had actually worshiped God.
Mass has always felt different, both in worship and theology. Studying the apostolic fathers has only strengthened my love of the Catholic and orthodox faiths. They are the church Jesus left behind, and at least for me they were what I needed to truly find Christ.
what made u take that decision ? I'm a Roman Catholic and atm struggling with my faith
This is a very interesting video suggestion from RUclips.
I'm a Native Hawaiian (kanaka maoli) man, who lives in Hawaii. I was raised by Roman Catholic parents (my maternal lineage is Portuguese, my paternal lineage is Filipino). We used to go to church when I was a kid, but stopped due to real life constraints (family problems I'm not going to share).
For all my life since childhood, Christ hasn't really played a large role. In college I delved into understanding my Native Hawaiian heritage. Initially, I was very "decolonize everything," and saw Christianity as a colonial tool used to control my ancestors. But after I learned more, I realized that Native Hawaiians, by and large, willingly abandoned the ancient (pagan) religion and adopted Christianity as the state religion, first Calvinism (via the ABCFM and missionaries like Hiram Bingham), then later Anglicanism (via Church of Hawaii). Without getting too into the weeds on the subject, I learned about how during the period of the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom by the US, Native Hawaiians co-opted the church polities as a means of organizing, typically those Calvinist and Anglican churches.
After realizing that my people were devout Christians, and this anti-Christian sentiment is a wholly modern concept, I have devoted myself to learning about the Bible, but in the Hawaiian language. The Hawaiian language is a dying language, and combining this fact with the fact that traditional Hawaiians were very Christian, I embraced the teachings of Christ, and especially attend those first churches built here in Hawaii (Mokuaikaua and Kawaiahao, specifically).
It was my yearning to be closer to my Native Hawaiian ethnic identity that brought me to the church, as an adult man. Today, the old churches of Hawaii have been mostly merged. The ABCFM Calvinist churches have merged with the United Church of Christ Hawaii Conference, and the Church of Hawaii Anglican churches have merged with the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii. But many are still attended and ministered by Native Hawaiians.
There is a huge Roman Catholic community here, but I can't say there are quite as many Orthodox churches. The Calvinist and Anglican churches have deeper historical and institutional ties to Hawaii than the others.
I just wanted to share. Really enjoyed the video. Ke Akua pu.
Differences aside, its great to see the army of Christ swell in my lifetime. What a blessing and exciting times we live in. Great video
I wonder how Eastern Orthodox Christians feel about Catholics. I always felt way, way closer to their tradition than most Protestant churches.
I feel like they too understand the gravity of the Word and the value placed on conserving tradition, especially in art and music. I think it's such a shame that we split so far apart in the medieval age.
Online orthodoxy seems like post Protestantism and often uses terms like papism.
Real world orthodox, especially in Europe, are very friendly with Catholics and they see each other as pretty similar. Orthodoxy can be pretty nationalistic though, so only in that sense there can be animosity.
As a former Catholic, and now very happy orthodox Christian, every day orthodox people are very kind and friendly to Catholics. But we don’t like being compared to them so much because there is so much difference between them and us.
In America because it’s been exposed to Catholicism for so long, it is easy to draw comparison between Catholics and the orthodox, and obviously there are many similarities. But we want people to experience orthodoxy for what it is. Which I genuinely believe is a faith more well preserved without innovations or change that is focused more on prayer and sanctification should be more Christlike and to be closer to him than the focus on the magisterium.
Online “Ortho Bros” love hating on Catholics, and the general discourse is orthodox and Catholics yelling at eachother
But despite that both sides generally agree that they’re both the closest in similarity compared to any other denomination.
Personally as an orthodox Christian I see Catholics as our closest brothers in Christ, and I personally have more of an annoyance with secular non denominational stuff than with Catholics.
It's almost impossible to join an Orthodoxy because it's so intertwined with ethnicity, culture, and nationhood. The Catholic from my understanding has its nationhood, and culture, and ethnicity but is in a pseudo controlled manner because of the Pope in the Vatican. I have no dog in either side, just from my perspective. @@heinoschaapman1584
@@eshanroveran7850Online talk because of anonymity which is fine comes along with faux conflict. I see it online vastly from all sides of the Christian theological talks. Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox, and etc. talking animosity towards the others. It's strange. If you love Jesus, accepted him as Lord and worship him, and believe in the Holy Trinity I think you are good.
A predict that there will be a Great spiritual awakening and Cultural rebirth in the West. And Christianity will be a crucial part of it. ✝️
Because people have the drive for God, not just surface level theology that most people have heard by now but more that excides the human brain and challenges us on who God truly is. God is not just a nice guy or just a friend. He is the eternal uncreated being that exceeds reality and warps time and anything in existence and not in existence as he pleases. Protestantism undermines that to the degree of infinity.
since when did the Bible have weak theology? Protestants only use the Bible for their theology so to say that they have weak theology appears to imply that you believe the Bible (God's Word) does not contain enough theology and wisdom for you.
I grew up in a non denominational church. My father is the pastor there and a very good one. I have been taught to love freedom and truth and it has led me home to the one true catholic and apostolic Church. I will be confirmed this Easter. Like the Israelites in the wilderness I will go onward from slavery to the holy land. My children will inherit the beauty of the Catholic life and be able to witness their father as a man with Christ on his mind, lips, and heart. My conversion is due to the gentle guidance of The Holy Mother of God through the Rosary. She has led me to her Son's true presence in the Holy Sacrament of the Altar. In the struggle of my exile she has led me to the Manna from Heaven. All glory to Jesus Christ The King of Glory!
Welcome home 🇻🇦❤
You write beautifully! May our Lord bless you from a sister in Christ. Welcome home ♡🇻🇦
As a baby I was baptized as a catholic, but never actually practiced it, I never went to church, nor had christian studies in school. At the age of 20 I felt something missing, at the age of 22 I found everything that I was searching for for 2 years. I am now on the final decesion to be baptized as an Orthodox Christian. Thank God and The Holy Trinity that I have found the truth. May God help us all. Love from Hungary. Amin.
Much love, my brother! Christ is King!!!
I really liked this video. Keep up the good work. From an Ortho bro.
I'm actually Trying to convert to Orthodoxy And it is a Struggle but i know it's worth it
Recent Orthodox convert here. You nailed it brother. I used to be southern baptist and I just felt spiritually empty and it felt like there were things missing that scripture didn’t explain. I am now very happy with my new Antiochian parish.
I was non-denominational before I became Catholic again. I've always had a love for history, and Jesus, so with the craziness of the modern world, I wanted to return to the old church.
I also like more structure and ceremonial/professionalism, I'm sure that God wanted me in a new area for this season of my life.
Praise Jesus Christ of Nazareth!
Great topic for a video. Glad your preaching about what needs to be spoken on!
Born and lived agnostic/atheist my whole life. Indifferent and uninterested all through my teens. Started looking into different religions in my 20s. Now at 33 (with a wife and 3 kids), I'm going to church for the first time ever.
It's a protestant church, so it's not quite as traditional as Catholic or Orthodox, but I find it still miles better than secular society currently.
That's great. Focusing on building a relationship with all 3 person of the Holy Trinity is important😊.
As a recent convert to catholicism I think tradition has its place firmly in that, Jesus came to us to save us from our sin without us being in deserving of that. Also though the origins of the church start already with Abel, who offered up everything for the Lord (many sheep, all he could give) while his brother Kains offering was not pleasing to God. This is the leap of faith of Abel that is a mystical foundation of the church (Ecclesia ad Abel) according to St. Thomas.
A little bit like the unconditional yes that Mary gave to God.❤
In the end what we do has to be pleasing to God , it has to bear fruits and be faithful to Jesus teaching in the community of saints that is the church. This has been my personal experience. God Bless
I don't go to church often but when i do i never regret it.
As an Orthodox Christian, we are not stoic. We aren't allowed to be so, for a Christian is one who unconditionally shows love and compassion to everyone. No barriers and no ways of doing so, no rules in doing so. We are to love our neighbors and our all loving God.
I don't think he suggests that orthodox Christians are stoic but rather that the people who turn to a more traditional church begin their journey of finding meaning and truth in their life through this philosophy . love and blessings from a fellow Greek orthodox Christian
@SuperMike1908 καλό βράδυ αδελφέ
@@divertedpreon Επίσης αδερφέ ,να σε έχει ο Θεός καλά
@@SuperMike1908 ευχαριστώ πολύ! Αν θες, υπάρχει discord server με 3000 μέλη περί της Ορθοδοξίας, βασικά γενικά περί του χριστιανισμού όπου απαντάμε και θέτουμε ερωτήσεις καθημερινού και θεολογικού περιεχομένου.
@@divertedpreon εννοείται με ενδιαφέρει
Wife and I have been protestant our whole lives, currently both in OCIA and all of our kids have been recently baptized. Glory to God in the highest!
Been a non-denominational Christian for most of my life, and while I do not plan on joining the Catholics or Orthodoxy, I've even become more studious with my faith. Praise be.
So your saying the Church God build is not perfect wowww this guy im alarmed by that
According to Catholic tradition, Jesus Christ founded the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church claims that the New Testament records the events, keep what you belife if you want but this is a catholic point of view and so many people are wrong and judging God for not making a works perfect how could it be
I'm an Orthodox Christian currently listening to Marcus Aurelius. I urge every man to come home to the Orthodox Church. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.
Catholicism and Orthodoxy, western and eastern Rome. The history of our churches are closer than most may remember. As a Catholic I’m happy to hear about the revival in orthodoxy.
51 years old. 40 yrs as a protestant (raised charismatic, lived like hell in my 20's and 30's) came back to the faith, theological lay studies led me to calvinism for 8 years, still wasn't satisfied in my heart, read a book on a topic from an orthodox perspective, which led to more books and you tube. I walked into an orthodox church over a year ago and now recently became a catechumen. I know I have finally found the ancient path, Glory to God!
I’m from Texas not born with a religion even though we said we were Christian.
I decided to look into Catholicism because of Italian mafia movies and I thought it was cool and different from my old Baptist church with a sweaty pastor and I became Christian from watching young don thinking it was now cool to be Christian at the
age of 15 now ever since then now 17 I’ve looked into theology and philosophy connecting with st Augustine and Plato and I can say Catholicism changed I am a self confessed larper but my parents don’t agree with my religious beliefs but I do plan on taking converting fully to the Catholic Church
If you are reading Augustine and Plato at 17 you're on the right track! Keep it up!
Such a good dissertation! While listening I could not stop thinking on how this is happening right in front of my eyes in one of the parishes I attend. I'm a young Catholic man, and I live in one of the least catholic regions of my country in relative numbers and probably the least catholic city of the entire country (and the most degenerate if you allow me to say so). It is also the region where I’d say traditional men, catholic or not, are pushed down and frowned upon the most due to our political landscape. Right next to the university where I study there is a very, very little parish. A friend recently introduced me to a group of young catholic students from our university who meet up every Tuesday in that same parish. There they celebrate Mass and then they eat all together so as to socialize a bit and all of that. I went for the first time last week and we were 10 men (18 to 24 years old) and one little granny for the Mass; and with that the parish was full (I’ve told you it is really small). Our pastor was quite surprised as well. You must bear in mind that both Mass and University are women dominated in terms of numbers in my country (and for that matter, I think this is true for every 1st world country). What you explain in your video really gives a very solid and relatable explanation on this. Nice work man.
I am a born again Christian and I don't need to go anywhere as Bible believing Church is nurturing my spiritual growth. Blessings to you brothers and sisters.
few questions:
who established this 'bible believing church'?
who wrote the bible?
what do you do if members of your church disagree on theology in the bible? who has the authority to declare whats true and not?
@apan990 all your questions are answered in one answer biblically: Holy Spirit, not authority nor tradition of man which Jesus truly condemned.
One question for you: Are you born again? How do you know you are?
@@dant1310 so the holy spirit is here with us, physically present, telling us what to believe and not believe??
what happens when mr holy spirit tells ppl 2 different things? and go on to preach different versions of christianity, but both claim to come from the holy spirit?
i mean, you guys have thousands of different churches, idk about you but id figure the holy spirit to do a bit more uniting and less dividing.
@@apan990 of course. Read your bible. Read what the Apostles wrote lead by Holu Spirit. Again, read the Scripture. Holy spirit will convice us of our sin, will remind us of the truth, will tell us what's spiritual and what is not. Holy Spirit iluminates us the truth from the Scriptures. I don’t care about different churches organization. You missed the point, it is the indwelling Spirit in the people that make us church, ekklesia, not organizaiton nor the the tradition. Is not as narrow as you catholic and protestant.
I get what your intentions to talk about church leadeship and papalship. I respect your choice.
You haven't answered my question: Are you born again? Do you know whay it means?
Go with peace.
@@dant1310 once again youre avoiding my question.
what do you do when you born again protestants disagree on what a biblical passage says, lets takes genesis for example and the creation story, is it literal? or nonliteral? did God make the world in a week, or did he not? what about Jesus proclaiming to eat of his flesh, does he mean that literally, or symbolically, the trinity?
'the holy spirit' means nothing to me when you nondenoms cant agree on anything, if at the very least you were all united in teaching then perhaps thered be a case to listen to what you have to say, but due to the rather simple fact that this is not the case, youre either a) wrong in your beliefs, or b) the holy spirit does a terrible job since you are all so divided, so pick one.
as for 'born again' question, i was baptized, so per john 3:3, yes i am, why is that important here tho?
As a buddhist, im happy about the fact that Christianity is growing in America. It's a beautiful and good religion with rich history and traditions, im happy for you, brothers and sisters, we may be going different paths, but we are on the same journey, may all beings be liberated🙏
Greek Christian Orthodox here,love to my catholic brothers and sisters 🙏✝️
We love you too ✝️❤️☦️
@@nickgeorgiou123 Love to My Orthodox brothers and sisters in Christ, from a Roman Catholic.
I Pray that the 2025 Council of Nicea will be fruitful ✝️❤️☦️.
You are a shismatic. We do not love you.
The ending was specially powerful! Thank you
I think more and more people are seeking fellowship with a community that adheres to the teachings of the Bible in these times when doctrine is being bent to follow the world. I personally love seeing sermons by devout Ortho priests telling it like it is, just like Paul did in his letters. We are to be bold in our faith and proudly invoke the name of our Lord. But so much of current protestant culture has simply accepted the corruption of the world. We are to be meek, not weak.
Traditional Anglo-Catholics are also seeing growth in men especially conservative young men joining.
Thar's great. There is the Ordinariat too right that is in full communion with Rome and has its own liturgical practice preserved
Personally I love the best of the Anglo-Catyolic tradition but it has, alas, gone so woke and rainbow and hyperfeministic for decades now. It started going woke before wokism even was a thing.
@ traditional anglocatholic are still around. Don’t confuse them with liberal Anglicans
You've nailed it with this video, there's Roman Catholic churches near me, no orthodox church, but I have the same road blocks you've mentioned here. I have started going to an Anglicised church. But I would definitely attend orthodox church if it was possible
@@cal5566 what does the Catholic Church lack?
Keep these videos coming mate, love them
My Catholic Church has had 400 new families join in the past couple years, they are having more mass times to accommodate this and in every single mass there are many people standing in the back and on the side because there is no more room in the pews.
If they had as many orthodox churches as Novus Ordo it wouldnt seem to be as many people as you think. In our Midwest town of 100K and few surrounding farm towns, there are almost 40 churches.
What parish is it?
Your videos are amazing. Can't stop watching them.
I am 24 and a catholic catechumen. I was leaning toward being protestant because of my lack of trust in the pope and then found myself leaning more toward Catholicism and orthodoxy. I finally settled on Catholicism. I still question it, whether or not I should be orthodox or catholic, but I never question whether or not I should be protestant.
This same dilemma plagued me. After many nights of meditation and prayer I found myself a catholic. I really did wrestle with God on this and when I did accept it, I didn’t dive into it. I allowed myself time to take on each doctrine so I could digest it.
Continue in prayer and meditation. God bless you.
I was going through that protestant study and i found nothing good on it i felt more disconnected from something man made so i returned to the church our Father founded which is the Catholic now that i practice Cathisism i am feelings more free and more pure,I love Jesus and his mother Mary and i thank the Saints for working with Christ so we could do works for him like he used them for examples, Father Son Holy Spirit un Dios Amen, QUE VIVVA CRISTOOO REYYYY
as a cradle catholic, dont worry about the questioning, i do it all the time lol, yet every time i do, in due time my questions are answered and... oh well you look at that! the answer is still catholicism!
There is definitely a phenomenon of young women successfully converting their husbands to more traditional Christianity. My father was telling me that his parish baptized three young men, all accompanied by their wives/fiancees.
I'm one. I'm from a Protestant family and I married a lapsed Catholic and ex-seminarian, but I surprised him a few years ago when I said I wanted to convert to Catholicism, _AND_ I wanted to go to a TLM. He nearly fell out of his chair, but he ended up coming with me and he accompanied me to my Catechism classes and was surprised at how much he learned.
According to Rodney Stark, the sociologist and historian, women made up 60%+ of converts in the early centuries of the Church and were found even in the imperial households and nobility. They eventually brought the men in their lives to the faith. This is an ancient phenomenon.
This year, I got married, and now I have a baby on the way. I went through a period of crisis thinking of how I could raise a child in such a fractured and rootless society. I was raised Episcopal, but had been away from the Church for over 10 years. In the last 6 months, I started praying from the prayer book (a copy of the Book of Common Prayer that my parents gave me as a child, that I had hardly opened in the past) and have been attending Episcopal churches trying to find one to make "home".
My current dilemma is that the Episcopal Church has embraced many of the things that I am hoping to protect my family from. I love the Anglican heritage, but am considering if I should turn to Catholicism.
What are you protecting your family from that the Episcopal church is doing?
@@seventeenseventysix5589 Specifically, radical gender ideology. The Episcopal Church is going along with the current zeitgeist in regards to quietly tolerating or embracing transgenderism and queer gender theory. The reason I said "protect" is because I believe this is a mental health crisis afflicting young generations that deserves serious attention, compassion, and pastoral care, but enabling this ideology is akin to enabling a drug addict. People with mental health issues need help, just like drug addicts. Enabling either of them only helps the enabler by allowing them to avoid the problem and feel good about themselves. I say these things not to condemn or stigmatize people going through them, but because I truly believe it is a mental health epidemic that millions of people are suffering from.
@@seventeenseventysix5589 And to wrap up, I believe the Church is forsaking its duty to care for its flock by going along with this ideology, rather than standing firm and presenting a stable message in such a confusing time.
You should definitely convert. The Catholic Church is the only church that has held its ground on many issues that the Main-Line Protestant Churches have left by the wayside. You should talk with your local Parish Priest and get his advice. I'll pray for you and your family. God bless!
@@seventeenseventysix5589 I wrote you a thoughtful and lengthy reply yesterday, but it was deleted, I'm guessing because I used the word tr*nsg*nd*r. Long story short, caving to modern gender ideology, which I consider to be a symptom of the mental health crisis afflicting young generations. I believe the Church should be compassionate and empathetic, but not enable this. Enabling only helps the enabler. The analogy I use is like a drug user, you don't help them by enabling them, even though that seems "nicer".
I'm protestant, I can't really avoid it because that is my belief... But I feel an intern movement towards a reformed church, this instinct of avoiding that modernized ones.
accurately describes my personal journey from atheism to Orthodoxy.
Started reading Gnostic scriptures and the Bible again, started putting things together. Christ is King.
I think Protestantism preach the same thing. What is happening with Orthodoxy and Catholicism is a miracle. Someone started making cool edits and people became curious. Before I think Catholicism was stigmatized and Orthodoxy not known.
Yeah, I think the whole "SPIRITUAL WARFARE, PEOPLE KNOW" is... True, it's not WRONG, but it misses the more mundane truth: people are actually trying to appeal to new people now, people my age with their edits.
Is it silly? Stupid? Yes, absolutely. But it *works.*
God is actively reasserting his presence in the lives of those who need it the most, myself included. Praise god almighty, and do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Just realized my comment from the last video made it to here. That's enough for me lol. Subscribed.
In all seriousness. I am more leaning towards Ruethean Byzantine Catholicism. Unfornately there are only 3 Orthodox Churches that are available in my area. Too far away to commute to weekly. There is a Eastern Catholic Maronite Church that hosts a Byzantine Rite every two weeks with a priest who drives 1 hour to get there. So yeah definitely want to attend to that more.
Thank you for your comments and subscription!
Do it, don’t give Satan the pleasure of denying your soul nourishment. Peace be with your spirit.
I am Orthodox, and have been for decades, sans a period of apostasy. Returning to a church full of converts was wild. I now seek to attend ethnic Churches because there are so many wet-behind-the-ears zealots, (many autistic, let's be frank) that have brought their legalistic, protestant finger-pointing and puffery. The faith is tge dame, but the "texture" of American Orthodoxy has been Protestantized. As a Sociologist, I can easily and confidently say that demographic changes are the key predictor of social change. You simply cannot absorb more converts than existing members, and expect the dynamic of things to stay the same. Onle of the things I love(d) about Orthodoxy was the quiet confidence in the faith and truth. The constant desire to preach, correct, justify and explain is not that of a confident person - but someone who changed their mind/view about things, and is trying to compensate for that and confirm and reassure THEMSELVES that they have found the "truth". (Convincing others is one way they are able to reassure themselves that what they have bought into is correct) But, I can also tell you that a faith that lives above the eyebrows is not sufficient. All the logic and argumentatiin in the world will have little effect. Christ must be in your heart. For that, you don't even need to know every canon and council - you need to live what the faith purports. A 1st year catechumen rudely dressing down everyone who says "filioque" as their primary concern does not seem to be indicative of that - or even a good approach.
Anyway... the Church is always very simple, and very complicated, and it is the human side that leads to the latter. I only hope that I live long enough to repent of my own sins, and may God bless us all. Even the insufferable, autistic, overzealous converts.
Ex satanist turned catholic here. We are in a great spiritual battle right now time to pick a side.
11:00 I cannot get over this painting. I just love how the man on his cell phone is seeing Jesus behind him in the reflection. I can just imagine him trailing off mid-sentence as his eyes go wide. Well done whoever the painter is.
Hard times create strong men
Great testimony! Thank you! Great job!
The yanks sang of old time religion. Well we are it. The traditional Catholics and the Orthodox
lol I grew up with that Hymn in my Methodist church. I look at it differently now that I'm Catholic
When I was a catechumen I heard that song and couldn't help but chuckle a bit at the thought of protestants asking for "Old time religion".
Wasn't that something that they wanted to get away from?
For me one big thing in regards to tradition, I'm one of the few people under 60 that want to keep our old church's pipe organ. It's almost 100 years old and is just beautiful. Built into the walls and everything.
We *could* get a lot of money for it *if* we had a buyer that could fund a lot of stuff, but the work and money it would require to uninstall it is not worth it without a guaranteed buyer.
So needless to say I've been praying that we never find a buyer for it 😂 and to top it off next month begins my pipe organ lessons that our church is paying for so it can be used since our only other guy that knows how to work it no longer goes to our church (he moved).
Very excited lol
Sancta Dei Genetrix, ora pro nobis 🙏🏼
Regina del Santo Rosario, prega per noi 🙏🏼
Sancte Ioseph, ora pro nobis🙏🏼
Terror demonum, ora pro nobis🙏🏼
Ok good... Just finished watching the first video and was disappointed by the lack of Eastern Church (Orthodox). 🤔👍☦
Another great video - fellow Catholic
I was raised Catholic and attended a private Catholic school for eight years, even serving as an altar boy for many of them. Now, I’m engaged to a woman who embodies traditional homemaker values and shares a strong desire to have children - very much the type of partner described in the video. Despite these shared values, neither of us have any interest in being involved with the church.
For over a decade, I’ve been a firm believer in stoicism, viewing it as a guiding philosophy that promotes self-reliance and inner strength. While I recognize that religion provides structure and support for many, I personally see it as a crutch for those unable to cultivate self-worth and direction on their own. Our lack of involvement in the church has, at times, made it difficult to form connections with other couples, even when we share similar morals, values, and life goals - simply because we don’t participate in organized religion. Just thought I’d share that perspective.
Good luck with that. When you feel exhausted, remember that Jesus invites you to come to him for rest. To clarify, HE is what you'll need in the organized religion, not the organized religion itself.
As some one who is forced to be non denominational right now as having a hard time choosing a denomination. I got to say his right about the pope being a massive road block to joining Catholicism. Although I have other problems with some catholic doctrine none are road blocks as saying the pope as authority over the bible / word of god. As well as saying his infallible.
For me I have no problem with church having authority over the faith and guiding those with in it. But for me the bible is the Sole thing we can rely on to call out fallible people who miss lead's us.
So then telling me that some how despite being no different from you or I some one being given a rank making him unquestionable and infallible on decisions of faith to the point that theoretically he could go against the bible and not be questioned is something I look at with concern.
Considering that any historical research into the medieval age would tell you that popes are not infallible and can do some quite stupid things. From dragging their predecessors out of their graves to put them on trial to saying black cats are from the devil.
Another thing to note is that protestants to a lot of non denominational believe that ONLY god can be infallible. Thus any claim to that is like a claim to be god to us. Hence why a lot of rejection towards the idea of the popes power. Apart from the other reasons
Speak to a Catholic Priest about your concerns. Read the fathers of the Church too.
@@dentryn4365 Thing is I have heard the catholic arguments towards this and although a lot were good argument given legitimacy by the fact that a lot of founding fathers of the church today were catholic.
Still does not quell my concerns of mans infallibility and the dangers of giving my man the title of "infallible". (From many sources Catholics claim that technically the pope is not infallible and can make mistakes but at certain points god greats him infallibility which to me is just a very long way to so um actually but ends in the same result)
In the end its only in the infallible god I can ever truly trust and thus his word and bible.
Not to say that No priest or bishop of any of our holy denominations cant be trusted to preach his word faithfully for most can however I will hold each of their words accountable to the word of god. If I became catholic I just fear I could not do the same with the pope.
@@steveripethefustercluck. Presently this Pope is of grave concern, but there have been good and bad in the history of the Church and it has withstood the test of time. This too shall pass. As far as infallibility, may I suggest Dr. Taylor Marshall's podcasts, a convert to the Catholic faith as well as Scott Hahn, also a convert. There is also Catholic|Answers.
@@steveripethefustercluck. If this helps, look at Dr. Taylor Marshall's podcast as well as Scott Hahn who were both converts to the Catholic faith. They cover a broad range of topics in support of the Catholic faith and issues with the Papacy. I admit that the present Pope is of concern for many, but there have been good and bad in the history of the Church but it has withstood the test of time. Many are turning to Catholic tradition again and I agree that their words and ours will be accountable before God.
The reason why for Catholics the Pope has a say in the Bible is that historically, the Bible we have today came AFTER the Church led by the Pope. Your Bible was organized and even written by the Pope-led Church through the work of the Holy Spirit. If the Church began with Pentecost, obviously there was no written New Testament yet.
I have grown up protestant but it never really resonated with me but in recent years me and my brother have been looking to the Orthodox church. We both have been more fulfilled by Orthodox then by protestants churches.
Traditional Anglican checking in. No King Henry didnt found the church - read The Catholic Religion by Vernon Staley. Much love to my Orthodox and Catholic brothers and sisters.
I have recently become a Catechumen at my church, month prior 2 had become catechumen, the week after i joined 3 more were blessed, a month after that 2 more were made catechumen.
I spent 15 years as an atheist, realized the size of my ego and humbled myself again with god. This started in the Protestant church, it was unfulfilling and commercialized, feminized you could say. I’m now a catechumen of the orthodox faith and my path has never been clearer.
Former episcopal converted to the great orthodoxy. Take up the armor of christ brothers. Join us in the spiritual battle.
"Lord Jesus Christ, son of god, have mercy on me, a sinner."
Very interesting. My own journey from Evangelical to Catholic began with reading the Stoics and other Greek/Roman writers.
So the actual Bible did npot convince you?
@kevinkelly2162 The way I was taught interpret the Bible as a Protestant certainly didn't. All in meant was reading Marcus Aurelius led me to read other Roman and Greek writers, then from there I began reading the Church Fathers. Reading the Bible didn't magically give me correct theology, nor does it for anyone.
@@kevinkelly2162The Bible is part of sacred revelation (sacred scripture + holy tradition). I think all Christians agree that the Bible is very important, the issue is how to interpret though. The Papal Magisterium is there to uphold unity and the right teaching.
@@johnblack5197 Strange that, it being the word of God and all. Hard to figure that other people could be more convincing.
@@karlheven8328 No it is not. It is a collection of stories from different bronze age cultures collected and put together between about 1500 BC and 1000AD. Different cultures saw utility in adopting some parts of it as their scripture. The Roman empire did so in 400 AD. That eventually became what we call Christianity. The appropriating continues to this day and spawns different religious groups who all differ as to the origin and meaning and validity of aforementioned scripture. All of course believe their intrpretation is right and use different methods to persuade others that this is so, Catholics use the technique of giving things big important sounding names. like Magisterium. What it really means is the bunch of guys that got together and made this up. You see this with the American Founding Fathers, also just a bunch of guys. Strangely enough they too are said to have been inspired by God.
In the World, where everybody tells you that God doesn't exist, and there's nothing after death, you start to realise: "If it doesn't matter, why should I stay alive? If it doesn't matter after all, then why should I leave?"
That's the question I asked myself. That's what caused me to return to Christ. He gives me hope and destiny.
Today's society is cursed. Everybody fell for modern pleasures, trying to copy the inteligent people that says "There's no God".
But they're wrong. Without God it has no destiny. It has no purpose. Without Christ it doesn't matter.
I'm Polish. Here we had a long traditions of going to Church, which was supressed by Communists for almost half of the century. And we still prayed to God.
My mom always took me to Church. I couldn't understand why were we going. But NOW I understand.
Look at the West. There's everywhere people that says that there's no God. They don't believe. We can't lose it, because if we lose God, we lose our hope.
This hope always kept Poland going against supressors. We have to stay with that, because THIS is the culture that's building. Not the modern culture that's ruining.
When I read the bible seeing the hope given to the sick, like the beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores in the parable for example, this made me think "what hope" does atheism give to someone who is sick having no hope of gaining a comfortable living. Why should they go on living if there is no hope of the afterlife in heaven.
Everything is pointless suffering, no reason to live, and even less so if you have "drawn the short straw in life".
For a rich and heathy in this life it is harder to see the treasures in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Those who have little to lose and everything to gain see the light often more clearly, the hope that is in Christ of a new and better life. If you have the "perfect life in this age" it becomes a trap where it blinds you to the Good news.
Treasure of faith is more worth than any health or money in this life. If someone is poor in faith, they have no hope beside what they have in this life that will come to an end.
John 12:25
He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
James 2:5-7
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
Luke 16:25
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
Revelation 3:16-18
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Matthew 6:19-21
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Certainly does seem like men return to church once they get married. Feels out of place to be a single man in church.
I approach this more cynically than most. Every Ideology tears you down as a man in the cynical and secular modern era. Christianity and Islam pick you up. What else do we have even if we have scorned religion for our whole lives?
Orthodoxy is for americans more "exotic". As protestant they raised up with negativ feelings about catholicism. Now they are searching something old, who is like catholicism but isn't catholicism. As a catholic from the balkans, i have mixed feeling about the orthodox church, because i get to know the orthodox church as a fascistic institut but never had issues with protestantism (european protestantism), only after i saw how american protestants ticks and their hate against catholicism. I will remain till i die catholic because i appreciate the missionary work of the catholic church to spread the faith through the whole world and the martyrs who died doing it... thats something i realy miss in the orthodox church... especially the orthodox church in the balkans who are more concern to assimilate neighbours to their nation instead of to spread the gospel. I like the unity of the catholic church... orthodoxy isn't united, it's more like protestants denominations, but divided into national churches with their own head. It's just my feeling and maybe i'm totally wrong.
Thank you for your point of view and appreciation for the good that the Catholic Church has done! Your point about church growth through national assimilation is very interesting.
@ assimilation and fascism is for sure a balkan thing, catholic croats are not better… but when I look to Ukraine and Russia it‘s the same with their orthodox churches. They‘re more interested in nationality instead of Jesus. They want only to show that their nation is superior to the other. The head of the albanian orthodox church, which separated 100 years ago from the greek orthodox church because they wanted the liturgy in albanian and not greek, is at the moment greek and he is more interested to assimilate orthodox albanians to greek (and destroy the albanian orthodox church) instead of sharing the gospel to muslim albanians. For example the albanian catholic church is verx patriotic too, but they know what they‘re doing and since the last year very active in missionary works. Sometimes hundres of albanian muslim converts per day to catholicism in Kosovo or Albania.
As a high church Protestant (and pretty satisfied about it right now) I find both to be attractive to a lot of people simply because of the call of the exotic. When a lot of these people talk about “finding Jesus in the Church,” keep in mind that this is a first blush experience with a given worship style. And so when they say this, they aren’t necessarily talking about an experience of Jesus, or an understanding of Real Presence (also, until they officially join, no Eucharist. They also can’t have, in a space of a few weeks or months have that deep of an understanding of the theology. It’s just a worship service with smells, bells and chanting. They don’t know much about the religion itself, they might not understand the language (especially since a lot of them like TLM catholic or ethnic orthodox services which might not be in English and I don’t think they know Latin or Russian).
The other bit is that quite often the things that they think are unique to apostolic churches are things that are taught in confessional Protestant churches. The theological differences between a conservative Lutheran, a high church Anglican, and a Catholic are less than people think. Even Presbyterian churches share a lot of the theology. We just don’t teach it. I don’t think most churches bother to teach their own confessions anymore which makes those exotic traditional churches seem deeper than they are. If the first time you hear about Christianity telling you to be a good father, I think it’s a failure of your old church. Lutherans and Anglicans teach good fatherhood, the centrality of goodness and good character in the life of a believer, and so on.
I was raised Baptist but never resonated with Christianity and so rejected it totally when I was a teen. Was atheist for a decade maybe and then became agnostic. Became interested in Buddhism and Hinduism but outside of a general interest in conciousness and meditation I never truly explored them. About 2 years ago I became interested in the occult and really just any religion, spiritual, magical or religious thought. The whole time avoiding Christianity because I thought I knew it already and rejected it. And also just felt like I couldn't be bothered to read the Bible as it's so big and daunting. In my studies I came across the Jefferson Bible which is just a compact collection of the teachings of Jesus and I figured that'd be a good read. So I get it, it sits on my shelf for a months and I finally decide to read it. It changed something in me like nothing else. I felt half way through that I loved Jesus. I kept saying "I love this man" because how how true and impactful every word was. Half way through I felt like I wanted to become Christian. Now I've read the gospels multiple times over and am working through the old testiment and new testement epistles. I haven't joined a church and am unsure if I want to yet. But I now consider myself Christian. Spent most of my life laughing at it and thinking I understood it. And almost immediately as I finally dropped my guard and let it speak I was convinced.
so basically what I got out of it is: EO is a cope for protestants who can't get to admit the papacy is legit.
it's not bad, at least they abandoned the heresy of protestantism, and they might eventually see though the EO brothers are apostolic, they are incorrect about the papacy, and more importantly, they aren't truly universal like the catholic church is.
babysteps for now.
Such a patronizing statement. Attitudes like this are why I could never be a Roman Catholic.
@@countryboyred it's not patronising, it's an observation.you seem to take it as patronising.
@@countryboyred btw, do you realise you just showed with your comment just how shallow your faith is?
"due to the remark of someone I dislike I could never become roman catholic".
let that sink in.
as if it's about liking people.
it's not.
I don't even care much for the current pope, but he is the pope and the RCC is the only church that has the full truth, be there people I like or dislike.
It's about truth, not churchhopping.
Thank you for your interesting comment that revealed this.
@@lebell79 my faith isn’t shallow. All you have are ad-hominem attacks. People like you drive other people out of the Church. Humble yourself.
@@lebell79 by the way, the truth is found in Holy Orthodoxy. Not in fallen Rome.
Conversion is the beginning.
Sanctification is the journey.
Theosis and Beautitude are the destination.
Orthodox here
Dr. Jordan Peterson also has played a role in the growth of Christianity, with his wife’s conversion to Catholicism also influencing him.
I thought this same thing as I found Jesus sometime late 2022 and at the same time I found him I noticed an uptick online in the other young men also finding Jesus and I think this is a sign for the end times as the Father said in the end times I will pour out my spirit
I went from being Southern Baptist to Atheist and came back to Christianity once I encountered the holy spirit. I stopped believing because there was so much evil in the world and I didn't understand why my mother had to suffer the way she did because she was so good to me, but I started experiencing things that had no explanation other than god. Many broken relationships and seeing my grandmother pass helped me see the good and evil in the world. My entire set of morals changed. It's insane how you're changed once you come back to Jesus and fully accept him.
It is a the sanest thing there is, but I get your meaning