Thank you, Father!!! Former Protestant who stopped going to Church for a number of years. I didn't stop believing. I just decided to stop attending and didn't realize I was part of a movement of protestants who just stopped attending church. After listening somewhat regularly to an intelligent, well-read young man on his internet site, I found that he was Orthodox but had also been Protestant - attending different sects including the Roman one. It was reading the Church Canons, The Church Councils, Early Chruch Fathers, etc. that pointed him to the Orthodox Church. That sparked my interest as he gave valid reasons why he converted. He then interviewed another gifted and intelligent young man - an author who was promoting a book on his RUclips site who was Jewish but had rejected Judaism, became a Protestant, and later converted to Orthodoxy. He also left an impression. It was then I heard about you and ordered your book "Rock and Sand" and I was stunned. There was so much I didn't know about the Reformation! And your personal Journey to Holy Orthodoxy also left an impression. Long story short: I was baptized into the Orthodox Church the day before Pascha 2023 at the age of 66 yrs. after meeting with the young Priest at the only Orthodox Church in our small town - thank the Lord for Greek Immigrants who took their faith with them and built a Parish. Still a lot to learn and unlearn but found the true and faithful Church of the Lord and His Apostles. I had to stop going to church for a number of years for the Lord to open my eyes, prepare the way, and lead me to the true Church. Never thought this would happen.
Hi! Can i ask you how did you make peace with icons and the graven image verse in the bible? I’m a catechumen but people keep bringing that up and i can’t seem to make peace with it. I truly desire to worship The Lord in a manner He accepts and think He is leading me to the orthodox church but i was in new age also and felt led there so how to trust?
@@elenalele Icons have been part of the Christian tradition and Jewish tradition for centuries. You can thank the Muslims for planting such a seed in people's minds. In fact, considering how slavishly Protestants worship the Bible rather than participate in Church life, they have far more in common with Islam than they do with authentic Apostolic Christianity.
@@RudyCarrera wait that comment took a bit of a turn. Could you provide me material for the iconography in jewish tradition? I’ve looked at the opposition against icons and read some quotes of saints that talk about for example work of art not being sacred by any means and that there shouldn’t be any pictures on walls that are venerated. I understand iconography in itself, the veneration seems to be harder to accept as it seems to have progressed quite a lot throughout the years. Thank you for your help in advance! :)
@@elenaleleYou can look into the deuro Europa Synagoge, for an early depiction of iconography in Jewish temples. For a complete Orthodox explanation on Icons and veneration you can look into David Erhan and his huge video explaining that topic.
@@elenalele It is a difficult concept, but don't let that stop you. First there is a difference between worship and honor. God alone is worshiped but highly regarded people like kings, nobleman were honored (as are the Saints to the church). People would bow down to them out of respect (you might even make a request of an earthly king). It was customary to honor them. But you didn't sacrifice to them or worship them as God. I recently heard someone on RUclips state that the Israelites bowed down before the Ark of the Covenant. Surely, they honored it as sacred, but didn't worship it - they worshiped the God behind it and sacrificed only to Him. And God did not judge them for it. In the Orthodox Church we honor the Saints and ask them to pray for us as they are still alive and in the presence of God. Similarly, we ask others clergy/laity to pray for us and have no problem with their intercession for us. What would prevent those who have died "here" but are very much alive "there" to pray for us? The Orthodox Church makes no distinction between the living and the dead who are Christs. All are alive to God. Check out various sites here that defend it. give yourself time to understand it. It does take time.
When i was a protestant, i got to witness the great schism of 2015 of the strip mall church my parents went to. They, and several other members, split off to start a home church. We then went to that home church for several months before my family split off because of personal disagreements with the home church. My mom and brother now go to a bethel church and i think my dad just gave up and stays home. A testament to the error of chasing "the new thing."
My friends and I call it the ethic of "emergence is good": a purpose with out a Telos. Its a form of gnostisism: the more (quantity we have the better.
May our lord Jesus Christ set us free from all bonds and chains of this new age for he is the only one who has the power to break the gates of bronze and cut the bar of irons as the psalmist says in psalm 107 . May his word of truth set us free as he promised in John 8:32 . He is faithful and watchful over his word to perform and fulfill it Jeremiah 1:12 . Our hope is only on the holy trinity and the operations of each hypostasis in our life to get his will be done .
4:15 "It is, however, not Christian." 💥 BOOM 💥 There are many Protestant cynics out there who love to quote this passage in Ecclesiastes. Thank you for clarifying what our perspective on this should be!
I loved this and wanted to share it, but for the ad at the end. It distracts from this most wonderful message! (Maybe ads could be done elsewhere with other podcasts.)
Dear fr josiah : This is a orthdox chinese Lady who married an American. we have been chasing orthdox for 7years . newly baptised last year , We have been read your book Rock and sand while we were catchumen, I recently meet some legal issues with american embassy while my husband matthew has been accepted to saint valandmire seminary , We d love to sincerly asking you if we can have a zzom meeting with you ask some wisdom from u of whats our next step is of our life ... Barbara matthew and katherine (6years old)
My wife and I have been looking for a church in our local area. She's been leaning heavily on going to an Orthodox Church. One thing I don't feel comfortable with is venerating icons. I have seen numerous videos explaining how it's not idolatry, how it's showing respect and reverence to those who have served Christ. Or how it's compared to how we have pictures of family, friends in our house. I don't want to start any arguments, I just haven't heard an explanation that resolves my issue. With that said, say I agree to visit an Orthodox Church but I never participate in venerating icons, will that hinder my spiritual growth in said church? Will I be accepted in the church? Or will I be looked at as an outsider?
Hello friend. Best thing to do is to ask a Priest about this. RUclips comments can be helpful, but you’ll find very quickly how it turns into a shouting match between people who aren’t really qualified to comment. Your concern is understandable, and was something that I found to be hard to agree with upon first discovering Orthodoxy. However, it is something that the Orthodox Church does stress as very important to our spiritual lives and how we understand the reality of Christ, and it was declared as a part of the Faith and obligatory by the 7th ecumenical Council. I am an Orthodox Christian now, recently received into the Church, and I very strongly encourage you to read the Saints about this and speak to a Priest. If I had to answer your question, I would say to look at Jonathan Pageau’s explanation of how Protestants and Catholics misunderstood the meaning of the Second Commandment, and the fundamental difference between veneration and worship. I hope this helps, God be with you.
The lamb is sacrificed at the altar by the clergy, so, no we cannot. The holy mystery of communion occurs in the church. Caveat: I am not clergy. You should always give theological questions to Orthodox clergy, monastics, or the episcopate. Definitely don't trust internet randos like me.🙂 But as far as I know, I answered your question accurately.☦️
![ROSÉ(로제) - APT. (Band VER.) (With. 이영지) [더 시즌즈-이영지의 레인보우] | KBS 241129 방송](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IW8qaemx74g/mqdefault.jpg)
Thank you, Father!!!
Former Protestant who stopped going to Church for a number of years. I didn't stop believing. I just decided to stop attending and didn't realize I was part of a movement of protestants who just stopped attending church.
After listening somewhat regularly to an intelligent, well-read young man on his internet site, I found that he was Orthodox but had also been Protestant - attending different sects including the Roman one. It was reading the Church Canons, The Church Councils, Early Chruch Fathers, etc. that pointed him to the Orthodox Church. That sparked my interest as he gave valid reasons why he converted. He then interviewed another gifted and intelligent young man - an author who was promoting a book on his RUclips site who was Jewish but had rejected Judaism, became a Protestant, and later converted to Orthodoxy. He also left an impression. It was then I heard about you and ordered your book "Rock and Sand" and I was stunned. There was so much I didn't know about the Reformation! And your personal Journey to Holy Orthodoxy also left an impression.
Long story short: I was baptized into the Orthodox Church the day before Pascha 2023 at the age of 66 yrs. after meeting with the young Priest at the only Orthodox Church in our small town - thank the Lord for Greek Immigrants who took their faith with them and built a Parish. Still a lot to learn and unlearn but found the true and faithful Church of the Lord and His Apostles. I had to stop going to church for a number of years for the Lord to open my eyes, prepare the way, and lead me to the true Church. Never thought this would happen.
Hi! Can i ask you how did you make peace with icons and the graven image verse in the bible? I’m a catechumen but people keep bringing that up and i can’t seem to make peace with it. I truly desire to worship The Lord in a manner He accepts and think He is leading me to the orthodox church but i was in new age also and felt led there so how to trust?
@@elenalele Icons have been part of the Christian tradition and Jewish tradition for centuries. You can thank the Muslims for planting such a seed in people's minds. In fact, considering how slavishly Protestants worship the Bible rather than participate in Church life, they have far more in common with Islam than they do with authentic Apostolic Christianity.
@@RudyCarrera wait that comment took a bit of a turn. Could you provide me material for the iconography in jewish tradition? I’ve looked at the opposition against icons and read some quotes of saints that talk about for example work of art not being sacred by any means and that there shouldn’t be any pictures on walls that are venerated. I understand iconography in itself, the veneration seems to be harder to accept as it seems to have progressed quite a lot throughout the years. Thank you for your help in advance! :)
@@elenaleleYou can look into the deuro Europa Synagoge, for an early depiction of iconography in Jewish temples. For a complete Orthodox explanation on Icons and veneration you can look into David Erhan and his huge video explaining that topic.
@@elenalele It is a difficult concept, but don't let that stop you.
First there is a difference between worship and honor. God alone is worshiped but highly regarded people like kings, nobleman were honored (as are the Saints to the church). People would bow down to them out of respect (you might even make a request of an earthly king). It was customary to honor them. But you didn't sacrifice to them or worship them as God.
I recently heard someone on RUclips state that the Israelites bowed down before the Ark of the Covenant. Surely, they honored it as sacred, but didn't worship it - they worshiped the God behind it and sacrificed only to Him. And God did not judge them for it.
In the Orthodox Church we honor the Saints and ask them to pray for us as they are still alive and in the presence of God. Similarly, we ask others clergy/laity to pray for us and have no problem with their intercession for us.
What would prevent those who have died "here" but are very much alive "there" to pray for us? The Orthodox Church makes no distinction between the living and the dead who are Christs. All are alive to God.
Check out various sites here that defend it. give yourself time to understand it. It does take time.
When i was a protestant, i got to witness the great schism of 2015 of the strip mall church my parents went to. They, and several other members, split off to start a home church. We then went to that home church for several months before my family split off because of personal disagreements with the home church. My mom and brother now go to a bethel church and i think my dad just gave up and stays home. A testament to the error of chasing "the new thing."
Just bought Enduring Love! I am so excited, I am currently engaged!
Such beautiful message Father thank you im still on the journey to became Orthodox ☦️ bless you father God be with you
God be with you and guide you on your journey! ☦️
@@orthodox1717 Thank You and God be with you as well
Ecclesiastes is my favorite book in the bible, because I get the sads a lot and Solomon was going through it.
There is nothing new under the sun.
that was absolutely amazing and absolutely beautiful. pray for a Orthodox Church to come to our area. i’m 3 hours away from nearest Orthodox Church
I would love to!
Thank you Father for sharing this ☦️ we needed this video because people always want new things in faith and the world!
Thank you Father! Always on point. Peace be with you.
Ephisians 4:24 "and that you put on the new man". Thank you again Father! Glory Be To God!
Thank you Father!
My friends and I call it the ethic of "emergence is good": a purpose with out a Telos. Its a form of gnostisism: the more (quantity we have the better.
What a perfect joy! 🙌
Thank you Father
❤️⛪️🙏☦️ GOD BE WITH US ☦️🙏🕊️💪
May our lord Jesus Christ set us free from all bonds and chains of this new age for he is the only one who has the power to break the gates of bronze and cut the bar of irons as the psalmist says in psalm 107 . May his word of truth set us free as he promised in John 8:32 . He is faithful and watchful over his word to perform and fulfill it Jeremiah 1:12 . Our hope is only on the holy trinity and the operations of each hypostasis in our life to get his will be done .
4:15 "It is, however, not Christian."
💥 BOOM 💥
There are many Protestant cynics out there who love to quote this passage in Ecclesiastes. Thank you for clarifying what our perspective on this should be!
I loved this and wanted to share it, but for the ad at the end. It distracts from this most wonderful message!
(Maybe ads could be done elsewhere with other podcasts.)
Dear fr josiah : This is a orthdox chinese Lady who married an American. we have been chasing orthdox for 7years . newly baptised last year , We have been read your book Rock and sand while we were catchumen, I recently meet some legal issues with american embassy while my husband matthew has been accepted to saint valandmire seminary , We d love to sincerly asking you if we can have a zzom meeting with you ask some wisdom from u of whats our next step is of our life ...
Barbara matthew and katherine (6years old)
we also been catching up your teachings everyday . Thanks for encouging our faith
🙏
Like and subscribe, does not cost.
My wife and I have been looking for a church in our local area. She's been leaning heavily on going to an Orthodox Church. One thing I don't feel comfortable with is venerating icons. I have seen numerous videos explaining how it's not idolatry, how it's showing respect and reverence to those who have served Christ. Or how it's compared to how we have pictures of family, friends in our house. I don't want to start any arguments, I just haven't heard an explanation that resolves my issue. With that said, say I agree to visit an Orthodox Church but I never participate in venerating icons, will that hinder my spiritual growth in said church? Will I be accepted in the church? Or will I be looked at as an outsider?
Hello friend. Best thing to do is to ask a Priest about this. RUclips comments can be helpful, but you’ll find very quickly how it turns into a shouting match between people who aren’t really qualified to comment.
Your concern is understandable, and was something that I found to be hard to agree with upon first discovering Orthodoxy. However, it is something that the Orthodox Church does stress as very important to our spiritual lives and how we understand the reality of Christ, and it was declared as a part of the Faith and obligatory by the 7th ecumenical Council.
I am an Orthodox Christian now, recently received into the Church, and I very strongly encourage you to read the Saints about this and speak to a Priest.
If I had to answer your question, I would say to look at Jonathan Pageau’s explanation of how Protestants and Catholics misunderstood the meaning of the Second Commandment, and the fundamental difference between veneration and worship.
I hope this helps, God be with you.
☦️
As an orthodox can we take holy communion at home like the other denominations do ?
The lamb is sacrificed at the altar by the clergy, so, no we cannot. The holy mystery of communion occurs in the church.
Caveat: I am not clergy. You should always give theological questions to Orthodox clergy, monastics, or the episcopate. Definitely don't trust internet randos like me.🙂 But as far as I know, I answered your question accurately.☦️
If a priest brings it to you, but you can’t make up your own at home.
The other denominations don't have Holy Communion.
Holy Communion is meant for a Community when they Commune to partake in the Body of Christ in the Body of Christ as a Body of people 🙏🏻
Can you facilitate a conversation between AFR and some of the so called “orthobros” they seem to have beef with?
Where is the support for Palestine 🇵🇸? It’s about what Christ taught: being human! 🙏🙏🙏🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
Where is the support for restoration of the Kingdom of Jerusalem?
Where is the support for the Armenians who have been in Jerusalem for 1700 hundred years ?
@@2000blins you really are a man of “faith” ?? Go read your holy book 📖
@@2000blins may God grant you and your like-minded Real Wisdom, it’s clear you need it.
@@2000blins restoration.. what?? 🥴.. good luck with your life …🤷🏻♂️
Where is the "Church of the Flying spaghetti monster, 2005" located?
S.m.a.r.t. is = Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology...