Reminds me when I was a novice in the Redemptorist Fathers, a monastic type of environment..I miss it a great deal. This holy abbot is so much on the money !
Thank you so much for bringing awareness of the new church and funding it to an audience outside our tiny world of ROCOR. May the Lord bless you abundantly.
I liked how he explained the different stages of becoming a Monk. I am so glad the have access to everyone you have interviewed by re-watching the videos. So much passion for God and humility!
We are so blessed to have such monasteries to remind us that ALL Orthodox are called to this countercultural way of life in the Church - we are all on a variation of the same path of prayer and commitment to Christ as outlined by Abbot Seraphim.
The good Abbot is spot on. The two things he describes transcend cultural lines. In truth it goes very deep. The youth of today (some, not all) are oblivious to what folks of my time ( 56 years old) took for granted. I grew up with prayer, and learned how at home, in school, and dang sure at my grandmothers home. Patience wasn’t taught, it was expected as work was the norm from a young age. It’s funny how hard work builds astute patience in a person. Nowadays everything is just gimme gimme, and half heartedness that convolutes what’s right. Secularism with a nihilistic kick start is a poor way to go through life. Once again a very solid interview with a lesson for those who slowed down to hear it. I’m looking forward to more from the good Abbot. Thanks again 🙏 ☦️😊☦️
Father seraphim I have a question: can a person with a disability and over 50 become a monk or nun? Is there an age limit. I turn 50 in a few days. I speak regarding myself and a friend who have both considered joining a convent multiple times but life circumstance did not allow. Now I and a female friend, as close as a sister, are both considering how to pursue this path. And does an individual have to have a degree? My friend and I have both considered it from a fairly young age what life circumstances did not allow until now. I question sincerely. Thank you!
Holy Cross in Wayne WV it is a very loving community. Abbot Seraphim is doing a wonderful job in introducing us westerners to the ascetic life. God have mercy on us all. ✝
Our thoughts and especially our imagination are a positive barrier to gnosis. They are fashioned or the same constructed spirit but in no sense are they spirit. We cannot experience the Divine, or the same, spirit through its various formations for they alter the very purity and bliss of spirit which is all encompassing.
It's rooted more in a lack of care for your outward appearance. If you ever visit the monastery you'll notice the bathroom attached to the dormitory of monastic cells has no mirrors.
@@FTWbiology Episcopal monasteries have bathroom mirrors. Don't know about catholic one's. Don't mean to seem rude but one of the negatives regarding Orthodoxy, and yes, it's a superficial observation, but the Orthodox clerics look like they never bathe. Always wind blown, and messed up. Never a smile as well. Always totally ruffled. I do not think Christ was a picture of a unkempt, slovenly Rabbi? Do you?
Though many nowadays perceive facial hair as unkempt, Christ also had a beard. As did St. John the Forerunner (and Baptist)--a cousin of Christ in the expanded Jewish sense; in that their grandmothers were sisters. This is one of the Saints regarded as a proto-monastic. If you look at an icon of him (or of his disciple, St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle), you'll notice the same messy knotted hair. If you notice the appearance of St. Elijah the Prophet also, you'll see the same thing. By itself the appearance of hair has nothing to do with the lack of, or presence of, righteousness. (Though motivations for such do matter).
Also, people can't help what features they have...This Abbot has had cancer: his hair was much fuller and healthier-looking before cancer and it's treatment. Besides that, he's getting pretty old which seems to effect his features in other ways.
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My spiritual father is Hieromonk Macarius, the Abbot's cell attendant at Holy Cross.
Something that I've noticed about Orthodoxy is that no one is in a rush ....
Rich Smith good point!!!
It is true that we don't rush because there is no need to. Orthodoxy brings heaven to this world and there is no time in heaven.
Reminds me when I was a novice in the Redemptorist Fathers, a monastic type of environment..I miss it a great deal. This holy abbot is so much on the money !
With patience I waited patiently for the Lord, and He was attentive unto me, and He harkened unto my supplication ...
[Psalm 39(40) LXX]
As they say in Greece, _Sigá, sigá_ (Slowly, slowly)
May God reward father Seraphim for his extremely hard labor for the church and people salvation.
Amen!
Thank you so much for bringing awareness of the new church and funding it to an audience outside our tiny world of ROCOR.
May the Lord bless you abundantly.
Thanks to God...thanks for stopping by, Blake! I am very glad to help out as I can...it's a wonderful monastery full of wonderful monks!
Loved this interview. He’s a great man and a wonderful spiritual guide. May God bless him, the monastery, and the brotherhood there.
Interestingly enough, I was contemplating asceticism all day today, the day this video premiered.
I liked how he explained the different stages of becoming a Monk. I am so glad the have access to everyone you have interviewed by re-watching the videos. So much passion for God and humility!
We are so blessed to have such monasteries to remind us that ALL Orthodox are called to this countercultural way of life in the Church - we are all on a variation of the same path of prayer and commitment to Christ as outlined by Abbot Seraphim.
I enjoyed hearing the process of how they become monks. I had wondered about that for a while.
Fascinating ! Thank you
Thanks to God...thanks for stopping by, Kathy!
Your words speak great truths Abbot Seraphim.
These are very good interviews. Thank you!
Fascinating.
It says a great deal about how our society has changed.
Excellent interview.
The good Abbot is spot on. The two things he describes transcend cultural lines. In truth it goes very deep. The youth of today (some, not all) are oblivious to what folks of my time ( 56 years old) took for granted. I grew up with prayer, and learned how at home, in school, and dang sure at my grandmothers home. Patience wasn’t taught, it was expected as work was the norm from a young age. It’s funny how hard work builds astute patience in a person. Nowadays everything is just gimme gimme, and half heartedness that convolutes what’s right. Secularism with a nihilistic kick start is a poor way to go through life.
Once again a very solid interview with a lesson for those who slowed down to hear it. I’m looking forward to more from the good Abbot.
Thanks again 🙏
☦️😊☦️
I wonder what thoughts Father Seraphim have about the Benedict option and Rod Dreher
Father seraphim I have a question: can a person with a disability and over 50 become a monk or nun? Is there an age limit. I turn 50 in a few days.
I speak regarding myself and a friend who have both considered joining a convent multiple times but life circumstance did not allow. Now I and a female friend, as close as a sister, are both considering how to pursue this path. And does an individual have to have a degree?
My friend and I have both considered it from a fairly young age what life circumstances did not allow until now. I question sincerely. Thank you!
It depends on the individual monastery. Check with your parish priest for guidance.
You won't find anything in American Orthodox church. The Pope of Rome won't move over.
Wow this guys hair looks like silver seraphim wings
It would have been nice to be part of that community but I am very far from that country ...
What is the name of his monastery?? So I can buy incense
Holy Cross in Wayne WV it is a very loving community. Abbot Seraphim is doing a wonderful job in introducing us westerners to the ascetic life. God have mercy on us all. ✝
Our thoughts and especially our imagination are a positive barrier to gnosis. They are fashioned or the same constructed spirit but in no sense are they spirit. We cannot experience the Divine, or the same, spirit through its various formations for they alter the very purity and bliss of spirit which is all encompassing.
its a shame that the orthodox are separated from the way
Is there perceived virtue in the scruffy hippy look? The long hair and unkept beard, really doesn't lend itself to respectability.
It's rooted more in a lack of care for your outward appearance. If you ever visit the monastery you'll notice the bathroom attached to the dormitory of monastic cells has no mirrors.
@@FTWbiology Episcopal monasteries have bathroom mirrors. Don't know about catholic one's. Don't mean to seem rude but one of the negatives regarding Orthodoxy, and yes, it's a superficial observation, but the Orthodox clerics look like they never bathe. Always wind blown, and messed up. Never a smile as well. Always totally ruffled. I do not think Christ was a picture of a unkempt, slovenly Rabbi? Do you?
I don't know about the whole "Never smiling" part, but I do know that they're more concerned about the heart than the outside of the cup.
Though many nowadays perceive facial hair as unkempt, Christ also had a beard.
As did St. John the Forerunner (and Baptist)--a cousin of Christ in the expanded Jewish sense; in that their grandmothers were sisters. This is one of the Saints regarded as a proto-monastic. If you look at an icon of him (or of his disciple, St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle), you'll notice the same messy knotted hair. If you notice the appearance of St. Elijah the Prophet also, you'll see the same thing.
By itself the appearance of hair has nothing to do with the lack of, or presence of, righteousness. (Though motivations for such do matter).
Also, people can't help what features they have...This Abbot has had cancer: his hair was much fuller and healthier-looking before cancer and it's treatment. Besides that, he's getting pretty old which seems to effect his features in other ways.