I'm also a convert from occultism and every chance I get to listen to the story of a fellow ex-occultist I take it. And every one makes me cry. There is nothing more beautiful on this earth than the Orthodox Church.
Former member of the OTO (Ordo Templi Orientis) here (Alleister Crowleys Church). I was Chrismated the day before yesterday in the Serbian Orthodox Church!!! Christ is Born!
I've walked this same path. Started with new age spirituality and was eventually shocked by the overwhelming materialism, certain kind of narcissism and ridiculous beliefs about controlling the universe. It was the concept of "manifestation" that opened my eyes. So many people openly fantasizing getting enormous amounts of earthly riches in a world in which so many people suffer in poverty. It made me absolutely sick. Like this world and this earthly life is a game of learning some spiritual techniques to make you better and worthy of more than other human beings. It's such a dark and repulsive thought. Then I came across videos and books of humble, deeply spiritual Orthodox people. Glory to God.
I have watched many videos of occultists converting to Christianity. Because all those interviews had been from a protestant point of view I felt very resistant to them. It was as if both the interviewer and the interviewee spoke of the spiritual, not from a sense of having experienced it but from having an emotional ride and mistaking that for a spiritual encounter. This interview is the first one I have seen that has made me feel as if there is some great truth that is just beyond my grasp. Thank you for posting this, you have no idea how much these means to me. Any more interviews like this will be welcome.
Wonderful comment from Jezabelle about taking and not reciprocating to God, brought tears. One of the things that led me to be a catechumen is that realization, we are to worship God and give our all to Him, Orthodox is beautiful because it’s hard. Thank you for sharing your stories!
This is wild, I was Chrismated 2 days ago and used to be a member of the OTO (Alleister Crowleys occult satanic church) and got rid of all my occult books/ritual tools I’m very happy that during my Chrismation ceremony I renounced all of that, “Any and all practices, ancient and modern” I’m so excited to listen to this.
For over ten years, I was an initiated priest in Cuban Santería, Traditional West African IFA, and a Tata Nkisi in Briyumba Congo Palo Mayombe. During that time, I routinely sacrificed animals to various deities, whom are without a doubt demons. I was also a Freemason. However, Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, called me back, and I am currently in the process of being accepted into the Eastern Orthodox Church. I had a prodigal son moment. Destroyed/threw away all idols/fetishes. I haven’t had this much peace ever in my life. Glory to God in the highest. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. One God, unto the ages of ages. Amen
Awesome testimony brother! What does freemasonry have to do with anything? What degree did you make it to? I’m not a mason and do not know any so I’m curious
@@Doom64-c6u I was made a Master Mason at a lodge belonging to the Seventh Manhattan District of the Grand Lodge of NY. Historically the Orthodox Church has not been keen on secret societies. Freemasonry doesn’t align with being a true Christian. There is a belief in a grand architect of the universe who can be any creator deity. That’s just one of many things.
My church is St. Sava. Our wonderful Serbian saint and prince ❤☦️ He gave up his royal robes as a young child and went to Mt. Athos to become a monk. He used his riches to help people and spread Orthodoxy and build churches. His father came to get him back after he threw away his royal robes, but Rastko (St.Sava) refused, and later, his father and mother became monks also and are saints as well. St. Simeon and St. Anastasia. The entire story is simply amazing and we have songs in Serbian about them.
I was Chrismated into the Serbian Orthodox Church two days ago! The Serbs are very very pious and devout, I felt drawn more towards the local Serbian Church more than the Greek one because the former are actual Serbian immigrants, the church was built by my Priests Grandfather who was also a priest etc, whereas the Greek Church clergy is made up of all converts. Nothing against them, I just loved the strong Choral Tradition in the Serbian Church! Christ is Born! Happy St. Stephen’s Day :)
This is a great idea for a series. There are so many amazing people at any parish, and it’s great to learn from others’ examples. Beautiful testimonies, glory to God and thank you to these brave women for sharing.
I'm turning 67 soon, and I was born into evangelical Protestantism. Late in life I walked, was received into Orthodoxy ☦️, and never looked back. My little Antiochian parish in Kansas is growing exponentially; with young families, with young couples, and particularly with men, especially young men. Some are former nones, some are formers atheists, some are former occultists, but many are disaffected evangelicals.
Until I got to my current Orthodox Church, I never once felt like I belonged with any of the many Protestant churches I attended. Our church is like a family. My spiritual father has taken me in and just came to bless our home the other day. Even stayed for tea and a conversation after. He invests in my catechesis every week. Its the first time I've ever had this and I'm thankful it's with the Orthodox faith.
My protestant Presbyterian Church is pretty legit, but it seems like I was blessed with the proximity, apparently it's an anomaly sadly, some members drive 1-2hrs to attend, despite every town having at least 4 churches in them around me. They preach repentance and holiness, use Psalms for the worship music, pastors actually talked to and care about everyone. And practiced what they preach. Sucks I don't have any orthodox churches anywhere in my area, except one small Russian orthodox that does everything in Russian 😐
Thank you for this Father Paul. So excited to see more of these. I've been on a long winding spiritual path and have been inquiring to the Orthodox church (that my dad attends) for about a year. I love to hear these conversion testimonies.
It is after Nativity and I am here in my home drinking, and this video has me crying, talking to me saintly friends and thanking God for living. My story was much the same as these beautiful ladies. Their beautiful shines like gold from their soul. God bless you all! There is ALWAYS a chance for you. There is ALWAYS hope. God LOVES you. Beauty is everywhere. I find joy in the struggle. My life has been given meaning. THANK YOU GOD
I am also a convert from the occult to orthodoxy but I got baptised recently and received a new name. I realised how much the devil steals from orthodoxy and twists in order to lie to people in the occult after I came to the chuch.
While serving time in prison I was heavily involved in a violent racist sect of a group that worshipped Odin and the old Norse gods because it gave me power and seemed to have a genetic or heritage aspect to it. By the grace of God I came back to Christ and to the church and I'm doing well now. The effects of the occult are still something I struggle with at times but I am definitely closer and more devoted to God than ever in my life. Thank you for videos like this that give hope.
Thank you Father and beautiful sisters for sharing your testimony ♥️ I would love a follow up video that discusses the process of repentance, spiritual warfare and healing from the darkness of the occult following conversion! God bless you!
Humble, truthful, peaceful and loving people having a conversation, this video shows what Orthodoxy is. I was also dabbling in new age stuff, and the experience was largely the same - for example the hunger for spiritual food which you experience, but you just keep eating trash without nutrients, so you are always hungry. Feeling without control, always giving and not getting - that's how God feels about us when we are not humbling ourselves and living prideful, sinful life, and funny enough - that's how you feel when you try to find the "right" path in the new age "spiritual" world. Great talk
My parish priest once said that we all have Saint or more who likes us for some reason and prays for us and guard us. We should pray to get to know who he is. That is how I found saint Spiridon🙂. For this sister it is obviosly Saint Sava and you should ask him for help🩷 in the future. As Serbian ortodox this is fascinating to hear about your story. I hope you visit St Sava church one day. I would certanly like to know what he said to you in that dream. Sorry for mistakes in text🙂
THE COLORS AND EVERYTHING BEING ALIVE! That is the exact experience I had! I remember staring at a tree for 10 minutes amazed how alive it was and how dead the dead branches were....
I’m headed down the exmo path after 30 years and Orthodoxy looks to be in my future as well. Hopefully a video comes soon highlighting exmo converts from a similar position as my own.
I did a lot of psychedilics in an Orthodox country, I had some brain damage from it, but I'm glad it happened there because it opened my eyes and drew me to God. Christianity in the US would creep me out, so I'd not listen to the word. But living in an Orthodox country, I saw how happy and relaxed people were. I began to learn about Jesus and realized the things that always turned me away were not actually in alignment with God's will (megachurches, self righteousness, religious/pharisee spirit, etc)
I hope to see an episode soon where Father Paul interviews converts who grew up within Mormonism and converted to Orthodoxy in adulthood. As someone who is seriously exploring Orthodoxy after a life of Mormonism, I think that would give me a lot of answers to questions that I have or may not yet have thought to ask.
father Paul please help me I'm overwhelmed by everything I'm not baptized I want to be an orthodox Christian and I'm from India and i have no one to talk about Jesus , i feel like I'm loosing myself
Father Paul mentioned in an earlier comment that he doesn't read the comment section. Maybe you can get in touch with an priest via the website of a (local) orthodox church?
Isn’t there a Christian area of India, Kerala? They’re Oriental Orthosox, so that’s different from Eastern Orthodox. There are Eastern Orthodox in India though.
What a great story of conversation. God bless the Russian Orthodox Church. I too visited a Russian Orthodox Church to experience the Orthodox faith prior to being baptized at Saints Peter and Paul’s Orthodox Church as well.
Maybe you can do a 1on1 with each of them and we can hear their story only because sometimes ppl aren't fully comfortable in front of other ppl. Also if tht was their first time on camera ice is broken and might be a little more comfortable a second time. Anyway, thank you so much for this video thank you to the two women and you never know who it can inspire. God Bless
I come from this. In my opinion, the reason people drift off into the occult is the same reason Eve ate the apple. Edit: I would love to hear more from them.
No, Jezabel, shouldn't you be going to the police? Shouldn't your dad be sitting in prison for abusing you? Please tell me you're not blindly trusting your dad!!
Orthodoxy does not operate that way. We are pro change of the heart and Theosis while using various tools on our disposal. Those you mentioned are two of our tools. Once we start walking the narrow path we would learn as to how properly cross ourselves and how to bow to God.
Lol, "I'm an occult witch affiliated with golden dawn and oto." Listens to five finger death punch. This says that her occultist leanings were entirely surface level. Not to be judgemental. The choice of band just made me chuckle.
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
I'm also a convert from occultism and every chance I get to listen to the story of a fellow ex-occultist I take it. And every one makes me cry. There is nothing more beautiful on this earth than the Orthodox Church.
Former member of the OTO (Ordo Templi Orientis) here (Alleister Crowleys Church). I was Chrismated the day before yesterday in the Serbian Orthodox Church!!! Christ is Born!
Same here!! Glory to God!!
ruclips.net/video/V2vFx55xTAg/видео.html
This audio might be right up your alley
@@norwardradtke1361 chrismated only? not rebaptized?
Same
I've walked this same path. Started with new age spirituality and was eventually shocked by the overwhelming materialism, certain kind of narcissism and ridiculous beliefs about controlling the universe. It was the concept of "manifestation" that opened my eyes. So many people openly fantasizing getting enormous amounts of earthly riches in a world in which so many people suffer in poverty. It made me absolutely sick. Like this world and this earthly life is a game of learning some spiritual techniques to make you better and worthy of more than other human beings. It's such a dark and repulsive thought. Then I came across videos and books of humble, deeply spiritual Orthodox people. Glory to God.
God bless these humble sisters
Thank you to these precious sisters in Christ for sharing their stories. I was Chrismated just a few days ago on the Eve of Theopany. Glory to God!
I have watched many videos of occultists converting to Christianity. Because all those interviews had been from a protestant point of view I felt very resistant to them. It was as if both the interviewer and the interviewee spoke of the spiritual, not from a sense of having experienced it but from having an emotional ride and mistaking that for a spiritual encounter. This interview is the first one I have seen that has made me feel as if there is some great truth that is just beyond my grasp. Thank you for posting this, you have no idea how much these means to me.
Any more interviews like this will be welcome.
Wonderful comment from Jezabelle about taking and not reciprocating to God, brought tears. One of the things that led me to be a catechumen is that realization, we are to worship God and give our all to Him, Orthodox is beautiful because it’s hard. Thank you for sharing your stories!
This is wild, I was Chrismated 2 days ago and used to be a member of the OTO (Alleister Crowleys occult satanic church) and got rid of all my occult books/ritual tools
I’m very happy that during my Chrismation ceremony I renounced all of that, “Any and all practices, ancient and modern”
I’m so excited to listen to this.
What led you away from that if you don’t mind me asking?
For over ten years, I was an initiated priest in Cuban Santería, Traditional West African IFA, and a Tata Nkisi in Briyumba Congo Palo Mayombe. During that time, I routinely sacrificed animals to various deities, whom are without a doubt demons. I was also a Freemason. However, Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, called me back, and I am currently in the process of being accepted into the Eastern Orthodox Church. I had a prodigal son moment. Destroyed/threw away all idols/fetishes. I haven’t had this much peace ever in my life. Glory to God in the highest. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. One God, unto the ages of ages. Amen
Praise God who saves us sinners!
Awesome testimony brother! What does freemasonry have to do with anything? What degree did you make it to? I’m not a mason and do not know any so I’m curious
@@Doom64-c6u I was made a Master Mason at a lodge belonging to the Seventh Manhattan District of the Grand Lodge of NY. Historically the Orthodox Church has not been keen on secret societies. Freemasonry doesn’t align with being a true Christian. There is a belief in a grand architect of the universe who can be any creator deity. That’s just one of many things.
Can't wait to see more, Father. Glory to Jesus Christ☦️
My church is St. Sava. Our wonderful Serbian saint and prince ❤☦️
He gave up his royal robes as a young child and went to Mt. Athos to become a monk. He used his riches to help people and spread Orthodoxy and build churches.
His father came to get him back after he threw away his royal robes, but Rastko (St.Sava) refused, and later, his father and mother became monks also and are saints as well. St. Simeon and St. Anastasia. The entire story is simply amazing and we have songs in Serbian about them.
God bless you
@jollygoodgordon5580 and you too ♥️
Thank you🙏
I was Chrismated into the Serbian Orthodox Church two days ago! The Serbs are very very pious and devout, I felt drawn more towards the local Serbian Church more than the Greek one because the former are actual Serbian immigrants, the church was built by my Priests Grandfather who was also a priest etc, whereas the Greek Church clergy is made up of all converts. Nothing against them, I just loved the strong Choral Tradition in the Serbian Church! Christ is Born! Happy St. Stephen’s Day :)
Hristos se Rodi!
@PomazeBog1389 vaistinu se Hristo rodi.♥️☦️
Very good series idea Father!
I love this!! Can’t wait to see more from various Protestant denominations, atheists etc! This is great! Glory to God! 🙏🏼☦️
This is a great idea for a series. There are so many amazing people at any parish, and it’s great to learn from others’ examples. Beautiful testimonies, glory to God and thank you to these brave women for sharing.
I'm turning 67 soon, and I was born into evangelical Protestantism. Late in life I walked, was received into Orthodoxy ☦️, and never looked back.
My little Antiochian parish in Kansas is growing exponentially; with young families, with young couples, and particularly with men, especially young men.
Some are former nones, some are formers atheists, some are former occultists, but many are disaffected evangelicals.
Glory to God - a Sister in Christ in KS :) ☦️🕊️
Do you watch The Royal Path podcast? Andrew and Fr. Turo Qualls are in Kansas I believe!
Until I got to my current Orthodox Church, I never once felt like I belonged with any of the many Protestant churches I attended.
Our church is like a family. My spiritual father has taken me in and just came to bless our home the other day. Even stayed for tea and a conversation after.
He invests in my catechesis every week.
Its the first time I've ever had this and I'm thankful it's with the Orthodox faith.
are you born again?
My protestant Presbyterian Church is pretty legit, but it seems like I was blessed with the proximity, apparently it's an anomaly sadly, some members drive 1-2hrs to attend, despite every town having at least 4 churches in them around me. They preach repentance and holiness, use Psalms for the worship music, pastors actually talked to and care about everyone. And practiced what they preach.
Sucks I don't have any orthodox churches anywhere in my area, except one small Russian orthodox that does everything in Russian 😐
@@johnalexis8284 I am born again, transfigured by Christ.
@@TheActualCorrectOpinion by being baptized?
@@johnalexis8284 Yes, in the name of the father, son, and holy spirit.
CHRIST IS BORN! ⭐
GLORIFY HIM ! ❤
Merry Christmas to all Orthodox Christians ☀🇷🇺🇷🇸🇲🇰🇬🇪🇵🇸🇧🇾🇪🇹🙏✝🕊🦾
Thank you for this Father Paul. So excited to see more of these. I've been on a long winding spiritual path and have been inquiring to the Orthodox church (that my dad attends) for about a year. I love to hear these conversion testimonies.
It is after Nativity and I am here in my home drinking, and this video has me crying, talking to me saintly friends and thanking God for living. My story was much the same as these beautiful ladies. Their beautiful shines like gold from their soul. God bless you all! There is ALWAYS a chance for you. There is ALWAYS hope. God LOVES you. Beauty is everywhere. I find joy in the struggle. My life has been given meaning. THANK YOU GOD
I am also a convert from the occult to orthodoxy but I got baptised recently and received a new name. I realised how much the devil steals from orthodoxy and twists in order to lie to people in the occult after I came to the chuch.
Glory to God! May all our neighbors who are in the grips of the evil one be called by Christ to His loving embrace!
While serving time in prison I was heavily involved in a violent racist sect of a group that worshipped Odin and the old Norse gods because it gave me power and seemed to have a genetic or heritage aspect to it. By the grace of God I came back to Christ and to the church and I'm doing well now. The effects of the occult are still something I struggle with at times but I am definitely closer and more devoted to God than ever in my life. Thank you for videos like this that give hope.
Love the formatting of the video, and I hope to see more interviews like this in the future. God bless you all. ❤
I am so grateful for this interview. Thank you ladies for sharing ❤
I go to holy trinity in salt lake and I’m a convert, if you need more converts to interview I’m 100% willing. God bless.
Convert from what?
@@d3adp94 Protestantism
You'll probably have a better chance if you email him.
Love the series and would love the follow-up! Thank you beautiful ladies for their testimonies! God bless you!
These videos are gold please keep creating them. Many are falling for the occult and new age
❤❤❤ Thank you for your stories. Thank you father for posting this video and welcome these beautiful souls to our community ❤
Thank you,Father for the posting, I can't say how greatful I am to God for coming across your RUclips videos!
Thank you Father and beautiful sisters for sharing your testimony ♥️ I would love a follow up video that discusses the process of repentance, spiritual warfare and healing from the darkness of the occult following conversion! God bless you!
Beautiful, simply beautiful.❤
This was so interesting wow ! I’d love to see more
Father Paul, thank you for another incredibly wonderful video.
Glory to God. Such beautiful witnesses to the ✨healing love✨of our God! God bless these lovely women and God bless you father, pray for me ❤
Humble, truthful, peaceful and loving people having a conversation, this video shows what Orthodoxy is.
I was also dabbling in new age stuff, and the experience was largely the same - for example the hunger for spiritual food which you experience, but you just keep eating trash without nutrients, so you are always hungry.
Feeling without control, always giving and not getting - that's how God feels about us when we are not humbling ourselves and living prideful, sinful life, and funny enough - that's how you feel when you try to find the "right" path in the new age "spiritual" world.
Great talk
This was awesome. I hope you do more of these!
My parish priest once said that we all have Saint or more who likes us for some reason and prays for us and guard us. We should pray to get to know who he is. That is how I found saint Spiridon🙂. For this sister it is obviosly Saint Sava and you should ask him for help🩷 in the future. As Serbian ortodox this is fascinating to hear about your story. I hope you visit St Sava church one day. I would certanly like to know what he said to you in that dream. Sorry for mistakes in text🙂
Great conversation. I'd love to hear more from these ladies.
THE COLORS AND EVERYTHING BEING ALIVE! That is the exact experience I had! I remember staring at a tree for 10 minutes amazed how alive it was and how dead the dead branches were....
God bless you guys ❤ my whole family is exmormon but i was the first to leave and i became orthodox and im still the only orthodox in my family lol
I’m headed down the exmo path after 30 years and Orthodoxy looks to be in my future as well. Hopefully a video comes soon highlighting exmo converts from a similar position as my own.
I love this video. Thank you for sharing this. ❤
Love this series Fr Paul do more please!
I like this concept. Thanks for posting the video Father
Loved this episode, and would love to hear more from parishioners about what it means to live an everyday orthodox life
Amazing! Thank you!
Glory to God for all that He does!
I did a lot of psychedilics in an Orthodox country, I had some brain damage from it, but I'm glad it happened there because it opened my eyes and drew me to God. Christianity in the US would creep me out, so I'd not listen to the word. But living in an Orthodox country, I saw how happy and relaxed people were. I began to learn about Jesus and realized the things that always turned me away were not actually in alignment with God's will (megachurches, self righteousness, religious/pharisee spirit, etc)
Praise God 🙏💜💜
I hope to see an episode soon where Father Paul interviews converts who grew up within Mormonism and converted to Orthodoxy in adulthood. As someone who is seriously exploring Orthodoxy after a life of Mormonism, I think that would give me a lot of answers to questions that I have or may not yet have thought to ask.
This was fascinating. Thank you. ❤
God bless them
father Paul please help me
I'm overwhelmed by everything I'm not baptized I want to be an orthodox Christian and I'm from India and i have no one to talk about Jesus , i feel like I'm loosing myself
You might want to contact him/or others priests like him directly.
Father Paul mentioned in an earlier comment that he doesn't read the comment section. Maybe you can get in touch with an priest via the website of a (local) orthodox church?
Where in India are you? I know there are Orthodox churches in West Bengal (under Constantinople).
Jesus loves you so much he gave himself for you so just pray and he will show you what to do
Isn’t there a Christian area of India, Kerala? They’re Oriental Orthosox, so that’s different from Eastern Orthodox. There are Eastern Orthodox in India though.
There are two reasons I trust this priest. He doesn't try to do things on his own different way, and he isn't asking for donations.
God bless you Jezebel.
Glory to God!
Is Jezebel going to get a new name after her baptism? I think she needs a new name
God can make her name Holy
Her Christian name is Sava, after St. Sava who came to her in her dream
@@christianmedina6343 oh right!
@@servantbenjamin919 this is true !
Maybe the world needs a Saint Jezebel.
Are we still doing the prayer of the heart desert community videos?
Great video!! Just a tip tho for next time if you can please give the guests microphones for those of us who are listening on headphones 😅
Even without headphones it's difficult to hear clearly.
I would like to have more of testimonials Good willing!
Only 2 minutes in and I know exactly who she's talking about. I was involved with that too.
This one gets a BIG like from me.
What a great story of conversation.
God bless the Russian Orthodox Church. I too visited a Russian Orthodox Church to experience the Orthodox faith prior to being baptized at Saints Peter and Paul’s Orthodox Church as well.
Maybe you can do a 1on1 with each of them and we can hear their story only because sometimes ppl aren't fully comfortable in front of other ppl. Also if tht was their first time on camera ice is broken and might be a little more comfortable a second time. Anyway, thank you so much for this video thank you to the two women and you never know who it can inspire. God Bless
I come from this.
In my opinion, the reason people drift off into the occult is the same reason Eve ate the apple.
Edit: I would love to hear more from them.
can you please address what you said about St Symion in the last video, because it really didn't sound right
Hello, Father. Are you from Romania? Do you have connection with Romania?
I was mislead by the Golden Dawn too
I would like to hear from the ex Buddhists
No, Jezabel, shouldn't you be going to the police? Shouldn't your dad be sitting in prison for abusing you? Please tell me you're not blindly trusting your dad!!
Father Bless 🤲 5 adds in the first 20mins 😒😒😒🤣🤣🤣
Finally, some quality content that doesn't consist of obsessing over western christianity and how wrong they are but rather telling convert stories.
If you don't cross the right way or bow enough then will you not get into heaven?
Orthodoxy does not operate that way. We are pro change of the heart and Theosis while using various tools on our disposal. Those you mentioned are two of our tools. Once we start walking the narrow path we would learn as to how properly cross ourselves and how to bow to God.
Jezebel 😅 ✌🏻🫶🏻
First to comment!
👎
So eloquent.
Lol, "I'm an occult witch affiliated with golden dawn and oto."
Listens to five finger death punch.
This says that her occultist leanings were entirely surface level.
Not to be judgemental. The choice of band just made me chuckle.