To all you Protestants who feel that your church has left you out in the cold, consider checking out an Orthodox church. You might be surprised that you have found a new home.
I checked orthodoxy out of curiosity, and converted three months ago. Best decision ever, however, here in my country there are only small community of orthodox churches. I hope in the future a lot of people convert to our holy, apostolic, and one church.
@@williamorpheus2635I am beyond words brother, converting to the Orthodox church is such a beautiful experience and recognizing the true church of Christ! It’s up to you though my brother, make a change within that community. By the grace of God, grow it☦️
@@williamorpheus2635 I’ve really become disillusioned with modern Christianity. I shake my head when I see “pastors” preaching in jeans and t shirts, the music lacks any real authentic worship, there is hardly any liturgy, there are no traditions kept
Beautiful. Thank you. If I may chime in, I think what I heard Father Hopko say (on a recoding, I believe) might help those who might say it’s too late to pray for the departed - God exists outside of time. Therefore, He considers your prayer before you ask it. Thanks
Offering prayers for those in Hell cannot benefit them and those in Heaven don't need them, so praying for the dead can only benefit those in a state of purification prior to their eternal bliss.
Matthew 8:22 Jesus said, "Follow Me, and let the dead⚰️ bury their own dead." He was responding to a request from one of His followers who asked to be excused from his responsibilities to "go and bury [his] father"
We commend the souls of the departed to God's mercy and faithfulness. We ask Him to remember the deceased person and be mindful of His promises The thief on the cross alongside of Jesus, Said Remember Me, Jesus! We, as living faithful ask God to Remember our departed brothers and sisters. ☦️🙏♥️
This was posted four years ago. Your parish has vision. There is a sort of relief that comes from seeing a WR Orthodox parish function normatively in the “public forum.” I will be praying and thanking God for your ministry 👍🏼
I have a lot of issue with this teaching as a Christian orthodox and I will tell you why. First of all when you look at the Old Testament even in Judaism they don't believe praying for the dead. In fact you don't see Jesus teaching this not even the apostles then they have been verses in the New Testament that have been taken out of context but they don't teach that now do I remember my loved ones of course but you know I don't pray for them there's no need for that you pray for people while there are life in their physical body once you die you don't need any prayer
I commend you for coming to the knowledge of the truth on this. I can't see it in scripture either. I have seen Catholics claim that the Jews practiced prayers for the dead, but they really didn't. They had a mourning ritual and would pray psalms and praises to God. They still do pray memorial prayers, but they are like Christian memorial prayers just wishing their spirits well in the afterlife, not praying for a changed outcome.
@saintejeannedarc9460 you know something I need prayer when I'm a life physically not when I'm dead. The Bible strictly say that after you die the Judgment comes
@@Magic818100 It is the living, struggling w/ sin and all the trials of life that need prayer. Once we are w/ God in heaven, we are set free from all these struggles and in a state of paradise that we can't even imagine, directly in the presence of God, understanding all mysteries finally. All the debates and disputes put to rest. I understand some Christian traditions think very differently and are thoroughly convinced to pray for the dead and to the dead (departed, and alive in Christ). I sometimes think, what is the harm of this? I wonder if it doesn't take away from the prayers for the living that need it most. God bless.
@@saintejeannedarc9460 that Doctrine was introduced by the church sentries when by they started accepting all these paganism teaching like the Egyptians the Romans they all used to pray to the debt you never saw Jesus praying to the debt you never saw the apostles do that
@@Magic818100 So you probably think, like many of us do, that when Constantine legalized Christianity, that's when the pagan practices and mixture w/ the other religions really started creeping in. Once the heavy persecution and martyrdom was lifted off Christians, times of prosperity tend to make us relax. Just like the OT pattern w/ the Jews, that we have in the bible to warn us. It must be difficult though, being in Orthodox circles that you see this, since it would be very hard for you to find fellow Christians in your religion that agree.
I have been a life long Greek Orthodox Christian and as I get older I am feeling that it is futile to pray for the dead or have a memorial service for them. I will support anyone who wants to do it but now in my 60s I think it does not serve a purpose.
It is the living that struggle w/ all the harsh realities and suffering of life. The dead are set free from all that. I've never been able to see the sense of it either. It seems to me as if every prayer for those that can't benefit from it anymore, could be taking away from those that do need it here still w/ us. I had a dear Christian friend just pass away. I miss her so much and I do talk to her a bit. How much she can hear me, I do not know. I know I don't get to talk to her like we used to until I join her in glory w/ God. I do look forward to that, where we will know all mysteries and forever be in the full presence of our savior.
I started beliving thx to a protestant church, now i started to go to a ortodox church because i love the preaching, now, the stuff about praying for the dead or the sruff about icons i dont suport but still i prefer this church rather than the protestant, because most of the sadly has become a disco rather than a church
I agree 100% like u I am protestant my self I have friends who are orthodox also ,strongly consider joining like u about praying for the dead I don't agree scripture doesn't teach that
@@johnbostic4063the scripture also doesn't trach solo scriptura Thessalonians 2:15 ESV So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
The dead, until the second coming, are in hades waiting for the final judgment.. We pray for them to receive the mercy of God and their minor sins be forgiven at the final judgment... It's comforting both for us and for their souls and a good thing.
Nuh.. they are with the Lord in Paradise, thief on the cross being the first one to enter it. Learn about the Harrowing of the Hell and stop blaspheming Lord's victory over death.
@@johnnyd2383 He's right We do go to hades when we die but thanks to many prayers from our loved ones we can be taken out of hades and be granted access into paradise where we will share life with Christ until the last judgment. There is hope for sinners. even beyond death they can be helped. It is our job to help them.
To answer the title of your video "...why we pray for the dead", and simply state that it is because of love is like saying I eat hamburgers because I am hungry. That is a partial truth. You gave us a partial truth. Scripturally, why do you pray for the dead? You love, and scripturally we know that Jesus gave us a command to love. Why pray for the dead? Any scriptures that help explain that? Are we praying them to heaven/salvation? Why are you a priest? There must an answer more than because if love, etc... A calling, to priesthood, to prayer, and so forth is not done simply because of love. Many sinners say they love. What is the map that tells you to pray for the dead, and why?
And that's why I'm no longer part of the Orthodox Church. Remembering the scripture when both the rich man and Lazarus one was carried into Abraham bosom, while the rich man was in hades. When the rich man asked that Abraham would dop his finger so he could quench his thirst ,he was told there is a chasm between us. He said, "Tell my brothers (paraphrase) he said they have Moses and the Prophets. The rich man replies basically he wanted his brothers to REPENT !! So, care about telling people the gospel you won't have to pray about it when they are dead🙄
The Father told us he has chosen in this video NOT to enumerate theological (scriptural) reasons but to cut to the chase- give the simple truth theology and scripture describe and which we know in our bones. Yet you feel this is not good enough: I am sorry you are unhappy and hope that you find the way to your true peace. Go to your Spiritual Father for help and enlightenment at once. Open your prayer book when you get up, read the Morning Prayers, Small Compline at bed time: that's a great start until you get other help from your Father Confessor.
@@costa328 Sadly I don't think you were ever "part of the Orthodox Church": all brothers and sisters in Christ know in the most profound way that the Father spoke the simple truth. I can see you have read scripture (anyone can do that) but you have done it without understanding and have not profited but been harmed. This is sad but easily remedied by true humility: do not delay to pray sincerely and simply for the Lord's mercy and speak with a Confessor. We all need help. I offer this advice out of love for it is our duty to help however we may.
@@opabinnier Don't be sad for me. It's funny how all Orthodox think that those who are not Eastern orthodox don't have any true understanding of scripture and are missing out on the mysteries of Orthodoxy. Sounds exactly what cults say.
Why is 'love' not good enough? God alone decides the destination of a soul but here on earth we can still pray for someone we loved who has died for the simple reason that we loved them. It especially helps us and the family/friends left behind - we too need healing and prayer is the best way to achieve that. When my father died, whom I deeply loved, we never questioned where his soul had gone. We left that up to God but we still showed love and respect for him by having a funeral and a year later, a Memorial Service. I still visit his grave, lay flowers down and pray - all out of love.
Protestants are leaving Protestantism after they find Eastern Orthodoxy is the one holy Church Christ built. I left Protestantism after 24 years for Orthodoxy in 2023. I found the true faith. I’ve met many Protestants since who had the same journey.
@brianrich7828 Pentecostalism or classical Pentecostalism is a growing Protestant Charismatic Christian movement. not good. Non-Denominational Churches Are Growing. a good thing. islam is fastest growing religion in world. bad. Eastern Orthodoxy IS SHRINKING. good, The Catholic Church is Shrinking. good. apostasy is growing, the trib is coming.
One of the common ways we pray for the dead is this prayer service, The Trisagion (Thrice Holy) Prayers for the Dead. There are other Orthodox Christian prayers you can find online as well. oca-uaoc.org/trisagion-prayers-for-the-dead.html
OK I will, but in kind, I find nothing in scripture that tells me to look to the bible as the sole rule of faith and practice. The NT wouldn't exist if the early Church believed that. Apostolic authority and common and historic practice over the life of the Church is as authoritative as the Scriptures. So, 2 Timothy 1:16-18 where Paul prays for the dead Onesiphorus. Every Historic Christian Church before the Reformation believed he was dead and still do. Not praying for the dead is a novelty in Christianity that began in a particular geopolitical setting and circumstance in Norther Europe and is not known in the Universal Church.
Scripture forbids talking to the dead. 2 Ezra states nobody shall intercede for another on judgement day. Scroll 56 minutes into 2 Ezra at the RUclips link that I post in reply to this comment.
Praying TO the dead is forbidden or doesn’t say praying FOR the dead The only passage in the New Testament that can be adduced as evidence of prayers for the dead is Paul's prayer for Onesiphorus in 2 Tm 1.18: "May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day." From the context it seems clear that Onesiphorus is dead and the Apostle begs God's mercy on him.
@@cabellero1120 may as well be merciful and open a bank account for them and contribute to it every week on payday. Sentimental and useless. Give your mercy to the living.
@@jerrodlopes186 All Souls require God's mercy. Abraham asked of God " Shall not the King over All the earth do what is right?" If Abraham, Our father in faith, Could ask God for mercy, So can we. It's God's world, His domain, not Ours The Final decision Who gets to Be With Him is HIS Alone, Not Yours.
@@cabellero1120 none of that has anything to do with the subject at hand. We both know that prayers for the dead are useless and are a holdover from the pagan religions that dominated the ancient world. Why is it so difficult for people to come out of religion and just follow Jesus Christ?
Thankful for this video, but I wish the father had gone into more theological reasons as to why the Orthodox pray for the dead. Yes, love... but I as a Protestant am basically told that the dead don't really need our prayer (as they are basically waiting for the Final Judgment... either in the presence of Jesus or not). I wish the father had gone into more detail on WHAT the Orthodox pray for and WHY...
Some videos are designed to be short. If you live in the Eustis, FL area or wish to call the church and leave a message for a return call, Fr Cassian will be happy to answer your questions. 352-357-1549.
If you’re in a church that teaches that then you’re not in a Protestant church, you’re in a cult. When we die we go immediately to Heaven or to Hell. The final judgment is rewarding the saints. And casting those in Hell into the final lake of Fire along with those alive and not saved after the Tribulation. Protestants do not teach soul sleep, or purgatory.
I haven’t been to one Protestant church on the planet that didn’t bury their dead and have a whole entire service around the event. You just leave your dead in the streets to rot? What, they didn’t put Jesus in a tomb, and do the ritual burial ceremonies? lol. I’m sure not one of his disciples said one single prayer while they were following the burial customs.
@@jB-uw8fi I think you're missing the point. In my view, Jesus was saying that true followers of Jesus don't concern themselves with flesh, because flesh is dead, and is not life, and it is only a concern for people that think of themselves as flesh, or arising from flesh, and have no spiritual understandings at all. The Cost of Following Jesus (Matthew 8:18-22; Luke 14:25-33; John 6:60-65) 57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
2 Maccabees 12:43-45 43.And when he had made a gathering throughout the company to the sum of two thousand drachms of silver, he sent it to Jerusalem, to offer a sin offering, doing therein very well and honestly, in that he was mindful of the resurrection. 44.For if he were not expecting that they that were slain should have risen again, it had been superfluous and vain to pray for the dead. 45.But if that he were looking to the reward of splendour that is laid up for those that die godly, it was a holy and godly thought. Whereupon he made a reconciliation for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.
Matthew 8:22 Jesus said, "Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead." He was responding to a request from one of His followers who asked to be excused from his responsibilities to "go and bury [his] father"
Weird how Jesus was buried, tended to, and anointed with oil in accordance with the burial customs of the day. What, you leave your dead in the streets?
Resurrecting feeling for instance you are sent to the hospital not knowing the pain or gathered favorite of your death to be. A balance of prayers and nursing hospitality gives you a feeling of no worry. Praying for your love once is an invitation to welcome you to the other side which ever side that may be hellveanly are still in no doubt. It is the truth..Some gets save from pain or favorite sickness whatever that may be. Do you believe that shet or not?..❤😜😂👑🦋♾️⚖️
Hebrews 9:27 ESV / 162 helpful votes And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, no praying for the dead. it is futile. the lost are beyond help. the saved do not need it,
We at St Andrew are Orthodox Christians located in Eustis, Florida, worshiping according to the ancient Western Rite practiced by the early Christians in the West for the first 1,000 years of Christianity. We are canonical (mainline) Orthodox in the Antiochian Patriarchate headquartered in Damascus, Syria, under His Beatitude Patriarch John X, and in the self-ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America under His Eminence Metropolitan SABA, within the Western Rite Vicariate under His Grace Bishop JOHN.
So even those who are in hell? Can that help them in anyway? I know that God can do anything so maby its not in vain to do so in case of it can do som good for those who even are in hell? God bless you all and much love from Sweden 🇸🇪💟☦️💟
Is the Orthodox believe in Purgatory like the Catholic Church and praying for them (with love of course) this souls are forgiven by God already but need to be purged and praying for them helps them to shorten the time of their purification to heaven. So why Orthodox pray for the dead , sure we love them and wants to remember them but does it help them in the after life? What if they already condemned and in hell? Or does in needed when souls already in heaven? Can you clarify it for me?
Is it true that only Orthodox bishops or Orthodox patriarchs take vows to remain celebate? Seems to me that when a priest takes vows to remain celebate while they are living up to that vow - Regardless of which Christian denomiation that priest is from while they are being exemplary in showing how to live up to those vows that needs to be both respected as being a noble sacrifice while we are all benefitting from it as being something of great value that all of us Christians need to feel grateful for.
Priests and deacons may be married. However, if they are ordained before they are married, they must remain celibate. Bishops however, are not technically required to be celibate but it’s been a precedent for Bishops to be chosen from celibate monks.
If a soul is in Hell prayers won’t help. If a soul is in heaven prayers are not needed. So… it must be for a soul that is being purged of left over sin…thus purgatory. Purgatory sometimes is viewed as a place but more so as a condition of a soul. Perhaps Orthodox and Catholics are saying the same thing, just Catholics name it? Are we hung up on doctrine or terminology?
Listen again. Prots say don't pray for them because it does them no good. Caths say pray for them because it will do them good. Orthodox pray for them because we love them. Same reason we pray for anyone.
This overly rational explanation is exactly what this video addresses. Western christianity is too focused on dialectic thinking (If my loved one isn't in hell, then they must be in Heaven). Eastern understanding is far more nuanced. The reality is we don't really know and it is not possible for us to fully understand, at least here in the mortal life. Because no one can truly know and understand what is in the other person's heart and what their exact relationship with God is. That's between the person and God. That is why we can only hope and lovingly pray for our departed ones. And that is also why we should refrain from judging others and focus on our own repentance and salvation.
There is no tranity so why would someone come in worship God Jesus is God Jesus is the father son of the Holy Ghost no we’re in the Bible as it say the word Trinity or the definition of Trinity there’s no three persons God is not a person let alone three of them okay so you need to stick with the scriptures don’t be pulling stuff out of your imagination okay she’s said if you seen me seen the father for him the Bible says Dwelleth all the fullness of the godhead bodily and you are complete in him not them which is the head of all principalities and powers Jesus is the father son and the Holy Ghost that’s right you got to ask yourself who is spirit was in Jesus Christ was it a separate spirit and the father it is that’s to gods right here so Jesus is Jehovah Jesus is God there is no Trinity stick with the Scriptures
The compilation of texts that we all know today as "The Bible" was first compiled and approved for use by all christians by the same trinitarian tradition that you are denying.
@@iliya3110 I understand that Orthodoxy does not believe in Purgatory like the Catholics, but does believe is a system of cleansing ‘toll gates’ through which the soul passes towards Heaven. Is this true ? I understand that the Biblical authority for praying for the dead originates in Maccabees which Is part of the Catholic canon, but not the Protestant. Is this also true ? Is Maccabees an Orthodox canon ?
FEELING GUILTY ABOUT BEING A SINNER? Well you don't have to worry anymore because there is no such thing as sin, it doesn't exist and you can now go about your life free from feelings of guilt, anxiety, paranoia, unworthiness and fear. Sin is a concept dreamed up by the purveyors of religion, its purpose is to keep you under control, make you fearful of a terrible future after your death, but most importantly sin was devised as a method of keeping you tithing to the parasites who have been keeping you in fear, the more money you paid them the less guilt and fear you felt. Laws are devised and legislated by Governments for the welfare and protection of their constituents, they are the only laws we need to observe. The multitude of religious laws called "sin" are not recognized by our Courts except where they are duplicated in common law. Laws that govern our citizens are not there because they have been written into that old contradictory book called the bible, they are there because of our needs for natural justice, they are debated and voted upon before being legislated or changed. If our laws were based on the concept of "sin" each and every one of us would spend a good deal of our lives in prison, thinking bad thoughts would be punishable by the State, looking at people of the opposite sex with desire would make us criminals, Etc. etc. etc. etc. So now that you are free from all those guilty feelings there is no need to give any more of your hard earned money to parasitic Preachers, Priests, Pastors or any church, you can keep it all, then you can begin enjoying your life doing all the things you were warned about by religious fanatics, you are instantly free of all their nonsense.
Join us on Sundays for Service starting at 10 AM.
Address: 2815 S Bay St, Eustis, Florida 32726
Thank you Father☦️
To all you Protestants who feel that your church has left you out in the cold, consider checking out an Orthodox church. You might be surprised that you have found a new home.
I checked orthodoxy out of curiosity, and converted three months ago. Best decision ever, however, here in my country there are only small community of orthodox churches. I hope in the future a lot of people convert to our holy, apostolic, and one church.
@@williamorpheus2635I am beyond words brother, converting to the Orthodox church is such a beautiful experience and recognizing the true church of Christ! It’s up to you though my brother, make a change within that community. By the grace of God, grow it☦️
@@williamorpheus2635 I’ve really become disillusioned with modern Christianity. I shake my head when I see “pastors” preaching in jeans and t shirts, the music lacks any real authentic worship, there is hardly any liturgy, there are no traditions kept
@@williamorpheus2635 are you born again?
@@johnalexis8284 salvation is not a one time event. we are working out our salvation daily, following the commandments of the Lord.
Beautiful. Thank you.
If I may chime in, I think what I heard Father Hopko say (on a recoding, I believe) might help those who might say it’s too late to pray for the departed - God exists outside of time. Therefore, He considers your prayer before you ask it.
Thanks
Thank you so much for this insight
@@AmalAms Certainly.
And also: Mark 10:27 “And JESUS looking upon them saith: WITH MEN IT IS IMPOSSIBLE, but not with God, FOR WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE”.
Offering prayers for those in Hell cannot benefit them and those in Heaven don't need them, so praying for the dead can only benefit those in a state of purification prior to their eternal bliss.
it is appointed ONCE unto a man to die, THEN the judgement.
Prays for my dear cousin Roula who just left this world. Her family is grieving. Care for us oh lord.
pointless.
@@donhaddix3770in Christianity we pray for the dead, not like Islam or whatever your religion is
@@lilmoi8820 🙏
So much wisdom in under 5 minutes. Thank you father.
Matthew 8:22 Jesus said, "Follow Me, and let the dead⚰️ bury their own dead." He was responding to a request from one of His followers who asked to be excused from his responsibilities to "go and bury [his] father"
We commend the souls of the departed to God's mercy and faithfulness.
We ask Him to remember the deceased person and be mindful of His promises
The thief on the cross alongside of Jesus,
Said Remember Me, Jesus!
We, as living faithful ask God to Remember our departed brothers and sisters.
☦️🙏♥️
God bless you people. I love you
Blessings to you!
My buddy Michael Caison is a parishioner of yours, I've heard wonderful things.
God bless you too, Father
Love and Resurrection will always defeat death
This was posted four years ago. Your parish has vision. There is a sort of relief that comes from seeing a WR Orthodox parish function normatively in the “public forum.” I will be praying and thanking God for your ministry 👍🏼
Amen for coming God the father nature and creator and his good Angels and returning of lord Jesus Christ 🙏🏼🌠🐑🕊❤
I have a lot of issue with this teaching as a Christian orthodox and I will tell you why. First of all when you look at the Old Testament even in Judaism they don't believe praying for the dead. In fact you don't see Jesus teaching this not even the apostles then they have been verses in the New Testament that have been taken out of context but they don't teach that now do I remember my loved ones of course but you know I don't pray for them there's no need for that you pray for people while there are life in their physical body once you die you don't need any prayer
I commend you for coming to the knowledge of the truth on this. I can't see it in scripture either. I have seen Catholics claim that the Jews practiced prayers for the dead, but they really didn't. They had a mourning ritual and would pray psalms and praises to God. They still do pray memorial prayers, but they are like Christian memorial prayers just wishing their spirits well in the afterlife, not praying for a changed outcome.
@saintejeannedarc9460 you know something I need prayer when I'm a life physically not when I'm dead. The Bible strictly say that after you die the Judgment comes
@@Magic818100 It is the living, struggling w/ sin and all the trials of life that need prayer. Once we are w/ God in heaven, we are set free from all these struggles and in a state of paradise that we can't even imagine, directly in the presence of God, understanding all mysteries finally. All the debates and disputes put to rest.
I understand some Christian traditions think very differently and are thoroughly convinced to pray for the dead and to the dead (departed, and alive in Christ). I sometimes think, what is the harm of this? I wonder if it doesn't take away from the prayers for the living that need it most. God bless.
@@saintejeannedarc9460 that Doctrine was introduced by the church sentries when by they started accepting all these paganism teaching like the Egyptians the Romans they all used to pray to the debt you never saw Jesus praying to the debt you never saw the apostles do that
@@Magic818100 So you probably think, like many of us do, that when Constantine legalized Christianity, that's when the pagan practices and mixture w/ the other religions really started creeping in. Once the heavy persecution and martyrdom was lifted off Christians, times of prosperity tend to make us relax. Just like the OT pattern w/ the Jews, that we have in the bible to warn us.
It must be difficult though, being in Orthodox circles that you see this, since it would be very hard for you to find fellow Christians in your religion that agree.
I have been a life long Greek Orthodox Christian and as I get older I am feeling that it is futile to pray for the dead or have a memorial service for them. I will support anyone who wants to do it but now in my 60s I think it does not serve a purpose.
It is the living that struggle w/ all the harsh realities and suffering of life. The dead are set free from all that. I've never been able to see the sense of it either. It seems to me as if every prayer for those that can't benefit from it anymore, could be taking away from those that do need it here still w/ us. I had a dear Christian friend just pass away. I miss her so much and I do talk to her a bit. How much she can hear me, I do not know. I know I don't get to talk to her like we used to until I join her in glory w/ God. I do look forward to that, where we will know all mysteries and forever be in the full presence of our savior.
@@saintejeannedarc9460beautifully said.
I started beliving thx to a protestant church, now i started to go to a ortodox church because i love the preaching, now, the stuff about praying for the dead or the sruff about icons i dont suport but still i prefer this church rather than the protestant, because most of the sadly has become a disco rather than a church
I agree 100% like u I am protestant my self I have friends who are orthodox also ,strongly consider joining like u about praying for the dead I don't agree scripture doesn't teach that
Stop focusing so much on physical churches. Focus more on Jesus Christ. He won't let you down.
@@johnbostic4063the scripture also doesn't trach solo scriptura
Thessalonians 2:15
ESV
So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
The dead, until the second coming, are in hades waiting for the final judgment.. We pray for them to receive the mercy of God and their minor sins be forgiven at the final judgment... It's comforting both for us and for their souls and a good thing.
Nuh.. they are with the Lord in Paradise, thief on the cross being the first one to enter it. Learn about the Harrowing of the Hell and stop blaspheming Lord's victory over death.
@@johnnyd2383 He's right We do go to hades when we die but thanks to many prayers from our loved ones we can be taken out of hades and be granted access into paradise where we will share life with Christ until the last judgment. There is hope for sinners. even beyond death they can be helped. It is our job to help them.
I love this
His vestments are so ornate, very gorgeous and honoring to God.
To answer the title of your video "...why we pray for the dead", and simply state that it is because of love is like saying I eat hamburgers because I am hungry. That is a partial truth. You gave us a partial truth. Scripturally, why do you pray for the dead? You love, and scripturally we know that Jesus gave us a command to love. Why pray for the dead? Any scriptures that help explain that? Are we praying them to heaven/salvation? Why are you a priest? There must an answer more than because if love, etc... A calling, to priesthood, to prayer, and so forth is not done simply because of love. Many sinners say they love. What is the map that tells you to pray for the dead, and why?
And that's why I'm no longer part of the Orthodox Church. Remembering the scripture when both the rich man and Lazarus one was carried into Abraham bosom, while the rich man was in hades. When the rich man asked that Abraham would dop his finger so he could quench his thirst ,he was told there is a chasm between us. He said, "Tell my brothers (paraphrase) he said they have Moses and the Prophets. The rich man replies basically he wanted his brothers to REPENT !! So, care about telling people the gospel you won't have to pray about it when they are dead🙄
The Father told us he has chosen in this video NOT to enumerate theological (scriptural) reasons but to cut to the chase- give the simple truth theology and scripture describe and which we know in our bones. Yet you feel this is not good enough: I am sorry you are unhappy and hope that you find the way to your true peace. Go to your Spiritual Father for help and enlightenment at once. Open your prayer book when you get up, read the Morning Prayers, Small Compline at bed time: that's a great start until you get other help from your Father Confessor.
@@costa328 Sadly I don't think you were ever "part of the Orthodox Church": all brothers and sisters in Christ know in the most profound way that the Father spoke the simple truth. I can see you have read scripture (anyone can do that) but you have done it without understanding and have not profited but been harmed. This is sad but easily remedied by true humility: do not delay to pray sincerely and simply for the Lord's mercy and speak with a Confessor. We all need help. I offer this advice out of love for it is our duty to help however we may.
@@opabinnier Don't be sad for me. It's funny how all Orthodox think that those who are not Eastern orthodox don't have any true understanding of scripture and are missing out on the mysteries of Orthodoxy. Sounds exactly what cults say.
Why is 'love' not good enough? God alone decides the destination of a soul but here on earth we can still pray for someone we loved who has died for the simple reason that we loved them. It especially helps us and the family/friends left behind - we too need healing and prayer is the best way to achieve that. When my father died, whom I deeply loved, we never questioned where his soul had gone. We left that up to God but we still showed love and respect for him by having a funeral and a year later, a Memorial Service. I still visit his grave, lay flowers down and pray - all out of love.
Protestants are leaving Protestantism after they find Eastern Orthodoxy is the one holy Church Christ built. I left Protestantism after 24 years for Orthodoxy in 2023. I found the true faith. I’ve met many Protestants since who had the same journey.
Eastern Orthodoxy IS SHRINKING.
@@donhaddix3770yep! But in the same token the fastest growing religions are Islam and Pentecostalism. So there’s that.
@brianrich7828
Pentecostalism or classical Pentecostalism is a growing Protestant Charismatic Christian movement. not good.
Non-Denominational Churches Are Growing. a good thing.
islam is fastest growing religion in world. bad.
Eastern Orthodoxy IS SHRINKING. good,
The Catholic Church is Shrinking. good.
apostasy is growing, the trib is coming.
Thank you for this video…. But HOW do we pray for the dead?
One of the common ways we pray for the dead is this prayer service, The Trisagion (Thrice Holy) Prayers for the Dead. There are other Orthodox Christian prayers you can find online as well. oca-uaoc.org/trisagion-prayers-for-the-dead.html
Only God is beyond space, time, and matter. Praying to anyone else is blasphemy
I find nothing in the scriptures that advocates praying to the dead. Give me the chapter and verse please .
OK I will, but in kind, I find nothing in scripture that tells me to look to the bible as the sole rule of faith and practice. The NT wouldn't exist if the early Church believed that. Apostolic authority and common and historic practice over the life of the Church is as authoritative as the Scriptures. So, 2 Timothy 1:16-18 where Paul prays for the dead Onesiphorus. Every Historic Christian Church before the Reformation believed he was dead and still do. Not praying for the dead is a novelty in Christianity that began in a particular geopolitical setting and circumstance in Norther Europe and is not known in the Universal Church.
Scripture forbids talking to the dead.
2 Ezra states nobody shall intercede for another on judgement day. Scroll 56 minutes into 2 Ezra at the RUclips link that I post in reply to this comment.
ruclips.net/video/9uNIkhahd8c/видео.html
Scroll 56 minutes in and start video there.
Let me know how you interpret the scripture please
Praying TO the dead is forbidden or doesn’t say praying FOR the dead
The only passage in the New
Testament that can be adduced
as evidence of prayers for the
dead is Paul's prayer for
Onesiphorus in 2 Tm 1.18: "May
the Lord grant him to find mercy
from the Lord on that day." From
the context it seems clear that
Onesiphorus is dead and the
Apostle begs God's mercy on
him.
Where are the scriptures that says we have to pray for the dead?
Exactly. There are none.
We don't have to.
We do do it as an act of mercy
Did Jesus not say Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.
@@cabellero1120 may as well be merciful and open a bank account for them and contribute to it every week on payday. Sentimental and useless. Give your mercy to the living.
@@jerrodlopes186 All Souls require God's mercy.
Abraham asked of God
" Shall not the King over All the earth do what is right?"
If Abraham, Our father in faith, Could ask God for mercy, So can we.
It's God's world, His domain, not Ours
The Final decision Who gets to Be With Him is HIS Alone, Not Yours.
@@cabellero1120 none of that has anything to do with the subject at hand. We both know that prayers for the dead are useless and are a holdover from the pagan religions that dominated the ancient world. Why is it so difficult for people to come out of religion and just follow Jesus Christ?
Thankful for this video, but I wish the father had gone into more theological reasons as to why the Orthodox pray for the dead. Yes, love... but I as a Protestant am basically told that the dead don't really need our prayer (as they are basically waiting for the Final Judgment... either in the presence of Jesus or not). I wish the father had gone into more detail on WHAT the Orthodox pray for and WHY...
Some videos are designed to be short. If you live in the Eustis, FL area or wish to call the church and leave a message for a return call, Fr Cassian will be happy to answer your questions. 352-357-1549.
If you answered the question here, more people may get the response. There has obviously been a few people here with the same question.
no reason.
If you’re in a church that teaches that then you’re not in a Protestant church, you’re in a cult. When we die we go immediately to Heaven or to Hell. The final judgment is rewarding the saints. And casting those in Hell into the final lake of Fire along with those alive and not saved after the Tribulation. Protestants do not teach soul sleep, or purgatory.
Let the dead bury their dead?
I haven’t been to one Protestant church on the planet that didn’t bury their dead and have a whole entire service around the event.
You just leave your dead in the streets to rot?
What, they didn’t put Jesus in a tomb, and do the ritual burial ceremonies? lol. I’m sure not one of his disciples said one single prayer while they were following the burial customs.
@@jB-uw8fi
I think you're missing the point. In my view, Jesus was saying that true followers of Jesus don't concern themselves with flesh, because flesh is dead, and is not life, and it is only a concern for people that think of themselves as flesh, or arising from flesh, and have no spiritual understandings at all.
The Cost of Following Jesus
(Matthew 8:18-22; Luke 14:25-33; John 6:60-65)
57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
@@jB-uw8fi my reply was deleted.
@@jB-uw8fi prayer for the loss of the living, not the dead.
2 Maccabees 12:43-45
43.And when he had made a gathering throughout the company to the sum of two thousand drachms of silver, he sent it to Jerusalem, to offer a sin offering, doing therein very well and honestly, in that he was mindful of the resurrection.
44.For if he were not expecting that they that were slain should have risen again, it had been superfluous and vain to pray for the dead.
45.But if that he were looking to the reward of splendour that is laid up for those that die godly, it was a holy and godly thought. Whereupon he made a reconciliation for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.
Matthew 8:22 Jesus said, "Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead." He was responding to a request from one of His followers who asked to be excused from his responsibilities to "go and bury [his] father"
Weird how Jesus was buried, tended to, and anointed with oil in accordance with the burial customs of the day. What, you leave your dead in the streets?
Nice short message. However, this implies that there could be those we love who may have died while not in Christ. So wonder how to distinguish
God has the Final Authority
@@cabellero1120 yes, that is true. He is sovereign
Fr Cassian, is your Church an AWRV parish or ROCOR-WR?
www.standreworthodox.com/about-our-community
Resurrecting feeling for instance you are sent to the hospital not knowing the pain or gathered favorite of your death to be. A balance of prayers and nursing hospitality gives you a feeling of no worry. Praying for your love once is an invitation to welcome you to the other side which ever side that may be hellveanly are still in no doubt. It is the truth..Some gets save from pain or favorite sickness whatever that may be. Do you believe that shet or not?..❤😜😂👑🦋♾️⚖️
Hebrews 9:27 ESV / 162 helpful votes
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
no praying for the dead. it is futile. the lost are beyond help. the saved do not need it,
Is judgment outside space time etc ? If so praying for the dead isn't futile
Lets Pray for DMX RIP
Is this a western rite Orthodox church, I am asking bc of the vestments.
We at St Andrew are Orthodox Christians located in Eustis, Florida, worshiping according to the ancient Western Rite practiced by the early Christians in the West for the first 1,000 years of Christianity. We are canonical (mainline) Orthodox in the Antiochian Patriarchate headquartered in Damascus, Syria, under His Beatitude Patriarch John X, and in the self-ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America under His Eminence Metropolitan SABA, within the Western Rite Vicariate under His Grace Bishop JOHN.
So even those who are in hell? Can that help them in anyway? I know that God can do anything so maby its not in vain to do so in case of it can do som good for those who even are in hell? God bless you all and much love from Sweden 🇸🇪💟☦️💟
Of course
NO SECOND CHANCES.
Is the Orthodox believe in Purgatory like the Catholic Church and praying for them (with love of course) this souls are forgiven by God already but need to be purged and praying for them helps them to shorten the time of their purification to heaven. So why Orthodox pray for the dead , sure we love them and wants to remember them but does it help them in the after life? What if they already condemned and in hell? Or does in needed when souls already in heaven? Can you clarify it for me?
I have the same question
The orthodox don’t believe in purgatory
Aren’t you in front of the judgment seat of Christ as soon as you depart?
Nope. It happens 40 days after the departure and at that day Orthodox hold special service for the departed soul.
🙂😊❤
We are praying for the souls of the dead, just like we pray for the souls of others who are still alive.
@@JWM75 Yes, through prayer, we are trying to change God"s will on other souls!😀
your error.
Is it true that only Orthodox bishops or Orthodox patriarchs take vows to remain celebate? Seems to me that when a priest takes vows to remain celebate while they are living up to that vow - Regardless of which Christian denomiation that priest is from while they are being exemplary in showing how to live up to those vows that needs to be both respected as being a noble sacrifice while we are all benefitting from it as being something of great value that all of us Christians need to feel grateful for.
Priests and deacons may be married. However, if they are ordained before they are married, they must remain celibate. Bishops however, are not technically required to be celibate but it’s been a precedent for Bishops to be chosen from celibate monks.
Hard pass on icon veneration, relics, non-Biblical Mary dogma, and praying for the dead.
Anybody else believe non Orthodox Church people have just as equal chance into heaven ?
greater chance.
Apparently that’s the “official” take of the orthodox.
If a soul is in Hell prayers won’t help. If a soul is in heaven prayers are not needed. So… it must be for a soul that is being purged of left over sin…thus purgatory. Purgatory sometimes is viewed as a place but more so as a condition of a soul. Perhaps Orthodox and Catholics are saying the same thing, just Catholics name it? Are we hung up on doctrine or terminology?
Not at all purgatory is a satanic belief for orthodox church theology
Listen again. Prots say don't pray for them because it does them no good. Caths say pray for them because it will do them good. Orthodox pray for them because we love them. Same reason we pray for anyone.
@@maximos3207 I definitely pray for them as a Catholic out of love.
@@dominicdinovo1713 I know that you love those you pray for. I'm saying this is the rationale of these three groups in a nutshell.
This overly rational explanation is exactly what this video addresses. Western christianity is too focused on dialectic thinking (If my loved one isn't in hell, then they must be in Heaven). Eastern understanding is far more nuanced. The reality is we don't really know and it is not possible for us to fully understand, at least here in the mortal life. Because no one can truly know and understand what is in the other person's heart and what their exact relationship with God is. That's between the person and God. That is why we can only hope and lovingly pray for our departed ones. And that is also why we should refrain from judging others and focus on our own repentance and salvation.
your not an Orthodox priest
?. Ordained in the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese
@@standreworthodox not worth the trouble, Father.
@@standreworthodox Bless you Father and may God protect you from any trolls
Finally an Orthodox clergyman on RUclips who doesn't sound like an arrogant jerk.
Look up @mullmonastery
There is no tranity so why would someone come in worship God Jesus is God Jesus is the father son of the Holy Ghost no we’re in the Bible as it say the word Trinity or the definition of Trinity there’s no three persons God is not a person let alone three of them okay so you need to stick with the scriptures don’t be pulling stuff out of your imagination okay she’s said if you seen me seen the father for him the Bible says Dwelleth all the fullness of the godhead bodily and you are complete in him not them which is the head of all principalities and powers Jesus is the father son and the Holy Ghost that’s right you got to ask yourself who is spirit was in Jesus Christ was it a separate spirit and the father it is that’s to gods right here so Jesus is Jehovah Jesus is God there is no Trinity stick with the Scriptures
The compilation of texts that we all know today as "The Bible" was first compiled and approved for use by all christians by the same trinitarian tradition that you are denying.
Why are you called christian classic songs if youre not a christian lmao
Scizo moment
The concept of the Trinity is most definitely all throughout scriptures
Non sense - we pray for them to be saved from the purgatory
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣sike
No
We don’t believe in a place called purgatory in Orthodoxy.
Purgatory is a blasphemy belief
@@iliya3110
I understand that Orthodoxy does not believe in Purgatory like the Catholics, but does believe is a system of cleansing ‘toll gates’ through which the soul passes towards Heaven. Is this true ? I understand that the Biblical authority for praying for the dead originates in Maccabees which Is part of the Catholic canon, but not the Protestant. Is this also true ? Is Maccabees an Orthodox canon ?
FEELING GUILTY ABOUT BEING A SINNER? Well you don't have to worry anymore because there is no such thing as sin, it doesn't exist and you can now go about your life free from feelings of guilt, anxiety, paranoia, unworthiness and fear.
Sin is a concept dreamed up by the purveyors of religion, its purpose is to keep you under control, make you fearful of a terrible future after your death, but most importantly sin was devised as a method of keeping you tithing to the parasites who have been keeping you in fear, the more money you paid them the less guilt and fear you felt.
Laws are devised and legislated by Governments for the welfare and protection of their constituents, they are the only laws we need to observe. The multitude of religious laws called "sin" are not recognized by our Courts except where they are duplicated in common law. Laws that govern our citizens are not there because they have been written into that old contradictory book called the bible, they are there because of our needs for natural justice, they are debated and voted upon before being legislated or changed.
If our laws were based on the concept of "sin" each and every one of us would spend a good deal of our lives in prison, thinking bad thoughts would be punishable by the State, looking at people of the opposite sex with desire would make us criminals, Etc. etc. etc. etc. So now that you are free from all those guilty feelings there is no need to give any more of your hard earned money to parasitic Preachers, Priests, Pastors or any church, you can keep it all, then you can begin enjoying your life doing all the things you were warned about by religious fanatics, you are instantly free of all their nonsense.
clown
absolutely.