Warning for New Converts to Orthodox Christianity
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 7 июл 2024
- Subscribe to Fr. Paul's RUclips channel:
/ @frpaul
Please support Roots of Orthodoxy AND receive early access to all new RUclips content through Roots of Orthodoxy Patreon:
patreon.com/RootsofOrthodoxy?...
Your support makes this channel possible!
Follow on social media:
Instagram: @RootsofOrthodoxy
Tik-Tok: @RootsofOrthodoxy
#easternorthodox #orthodoxchristian #orthodoxy #christianity #christian
I've heard "There is Orthodoxy on the Internet, but there is no such thing as Internet Orthodoxy".
You’ve never heard of the internet fathers?
I like that
It helps, nonetheless. Some people are alone and don't have transportation to church, and internet Orthodoxy or any of the services or teachings extends themselves to awakening the spirit and reaching the heart, mind, and soul too.
There is 100% Internet orthodoxy
@@kemptonbryani dont think you understood
All inquirers or catechumens etc remember this: Real Orthodoxy isn't edits or phonk or any of that sort of stuff you see online. It's not a label or an aesthetic. It's a way of life, a religion and a struggle. You only see that in person and not through a screen. ☦
New converts, I promise you, icons, prayerbooks, holywater flasks, saintly writings etc will all come to you from other parishioners over the years. Don't get anything for yourself, the chur h will provide and you in turn will provide for others. Focus on living in your parish and taking Orthodoxy day by day. It's an endurance race, not a sprint. I say this all as a young convert myself.
“Focus on living in your parish” ~ great way to put it.
What a great perspective! I have the tendency to jump right in with anything I become involved with, usually too boldly or at a surface level.
Your comment really struck me, simply on the basis of how simple and true it is. I have yet to actually purchase anything Orthodox-related (aside from a prayer book), but my parish has given me all that I feel that I need. I started out with no icons whatsoever, but our yiayia gave me 2, of the Theotokos and of St. Ignatius of Antioch. I ended up giving away the icon of the Theotokos to a fellow parishioner, because she was going through a hard time. That very next day, a parishioner gave me 2 more icons: one of our Lord and another of His Mother, replacing my previous Theotokos icon.
A small example of how small things will grow over time.
I struggle finding a church near me in northern Indiana although I do have a brother in orthodoxy
As someone whose mind converted to that of Eastern Orthodoxy, here is my predicament: Not able to get prayer ropes, books of any saints, let alone any prayer books or icons. I don't have full autonomy, and my parents are protestant. So I can't go to any nearby Eastern Orthdooxy Churches. But I think God let me go through this, so my faith can become even stronger once I head to a church.
2:07 "I've learned over time that just getting more things doesn't help my faith one bit."
Powerful statement.
This priest has been smacking me in the face with wisdom lately.. thank you so much
@@wv9459 have you watched his interviews he did with Matt Whitman from ten minute Bible hour? If not I’d recommend them, it’s how I was introduced to Fr. Paul.
Right😅
I’ve been Orthodox for almost five years. When I was new in the Church, I did buy a lot of books, mostly aimed to new-comers, but fortunately have a spiritual father who put great emphasis on prayer and scripture reading. So I wrote a personal “mission statement” to remind me of my primary task, the first thing to do each day :
“Pray first - nothing else matters”
Do have to confess I’ve struggled with this at times - transitioning from a school-based work schedule to a lighter summer schedule gave lots of opportunity to sleep later and put off prayer, causing me to struggle with controlling thoughts and passions, but nevertheless that’s the goal
“Pray first - nothing else matters”
For someone who have no OC, an still only following OC on youtube, i have learned to pray morning and evening and it is changing me.
I only have Lutheran Church and friends there.
God bless OC for teaching us to Know Him.
When I first went to visit my local Orthodox Church a month ago two things were made abundantly clear to me. That nothing in Orthodoxy is fast. And to not get stuck in internet Orthodoxy.
Yes, thankful that my godparents and friends from our parish warned of us this and gave us steps on how to avoid the consumerism. Take breaks, read books that build your faith, really focus on the prayers and learn your prayer rule, don’t have one, talk with your spiritual father. Write down questions and ask them, cultivate your nous in prayer, fasting and living in your parish. Books are great but living Orthodoxy is more important. Read the scriptures, slow down, and remember that icons aren’t an aesthetic or decorations, but windows into heaven.
New Convert: “I’m so excited to join Holy Orthodoxy, I’m going to learn everything I can!”
Fr. Paul Trubenbach: “And I took that personally.”
I spent the first 14-16 months of my conversion simply reading one source.
And those books helped change me in dramatic ways.
Those were the Spiritual Counsels of St. Paisios.
Some at our parish even started to joke (lovingly) about how often I would reference his writings during devotions groups / Bible studies.
But rather than try to read many different things, I chose to learn from one source with whom I deeply connected.
This is a perfect example of Orthodoxy wrapping you in enormous wisdom.
Be still, and know that God is God.
And while you are still, let the church surround you.
More indoctrination!
@@murrayphillipson4830 Yes, i see you are very inspirational and wise.
Your 12-60years on earth are nothing compared to the churches 2000 years, and countless humans collective wisdom and experience.
Nor do you have ANY idea what i know, experienced or whatever else has brought me here.
So you have to excuse me, but your worldly wisdom you have showed here do not impress me in the slightest.
Everything i´v ever experienced through life has brought me more wisdom then your message.. and i include isects and drops of water.
Modern humans intellectual regression is fierce, i know.
But plz become better.
The consumerism part is very important!
Truthfully I believe this is definitely the biggest problem with new believers. It becomes way too chaotic and people lose focus of prayer and reading scripture. I’m a new Eastern Orthodox brother after coming to Christ 3 years ago in a Protestant church, but nobody even knows what a Protestant is because the church doesn’t disciple people and teach them the important things. I’m grateful I’m home now ❤️☦️🙏🏼
As a catechumen in the Orthodox Church, my advice to my fellow brothers and sisters is to stick to the essentials; Attend liturgy, read, pray and fast. Don’t spend so much time on the internet going down the rabbit hole.
That's sound advice for cradle Orthodox Christians too.
I’m a new brother of the Eastern Orthodox Church after being deceived by the Protestant movement for the first 3 years of my walk with Christ. I’m so grateful to know the truth, learn about the church’s history, and being connected to the teachings that date back to the disciples!☺️❤️ I’ve never known the Lord Jesus as much as I do now and that is thanks to the Eastern Orthodox Church. My soul finally feels like it can rest because the Holy Spirit had been telling me these modern churches were wrong but I would be told I don’t have a say because I’m too young of a Christian and I don’t know the Holy Spirit like they do yet, and I also never even heard any teachings about the Eastern Orthodox church at all before 3 weeks ago so I was confused. Please pray for those being deceived by the Protestant and charismatic movement!! There’s too many of our brothers and sisters being deceived horribly!💔
How are they deceived?
@@tinakarras7571 Everything I’m about to say, I say with love and genuine concern: 1. There is no discipleship, there is no consistent structure. “Just let the spirit flow” they say. Leading vulnerable people in some sort of made up prayer to give their life to Jesus but then they don’t disciple them nor equip them with the necessary tools to truly walk with Christ. New believers don’t even understand the spiritual gifts but they idolize them and it distracts them from their prayer life and time in the word of God.
2. The spirit of self righteousness runs a muck in these churches. It has become a show. A motivational and charismatic theater. It is more a popularity contest and a competition of who actually has the gift of tongues and who doesn’t. A competition of truly has the Holy Spirit and who doesn’t. A competition of who can memorize the most scripture and sound the best when speaking it. It’s all about how many people you can make “feel good” rather than being about Jesus Christ.
3. These churches try to blend the secular lifestyle with the Christian lifestyle and it waters down the true gospel of Jesus Christ and this has led new and young believers to believe they can have it both ways and this is not so. They have adopted a new Jesus Christ who fits their comfort and convenience and they have abandoned the true Jesus Christ.
4. Nobody in these Protestant churches even know that they’re a Protestant! They don’t even know any history about the church. They take communion when they “feel the Holy Spirit” tell them to and that’s a handful of times a year and that is absurd now that I know better. Completely disregarding and disrespecting the heaviness that the Holy Eucharist holds and represents.
5. These churches teach you that you should see every obstacle or hardship as a demon and that you should rebuke that demon because you have that authority and they’re afraid of you. They teach you that you should just walk into the battlefield without even going to boot camp or receiving your armor and weapons yet. This is absolute madness. We are not called to be demon slayers. Although some do receive the gift of deliverance, there is a heavy responsibility and safety risk that comes with that gift and it should NOT be taught with the lack of care it is being taught with.
6. These churches have conformed to the world and its’ inhabitants because if they don’t, their seats will become empty and they won’t have enough money to support their giant LED screens, their expensive light shows, the pastor’s private jet, the pastor’s wife’s Ferrari, or their mansion. What happened to teaching people how to repent and live a modest lifestyle?
There are many different things I could say, but these are just a few.
@@GardenofNoahPretty heavy generalisations of Protestantism here mostly based off mega churches, the non denominational movement and Pentecostalism used to describe all Protestants…
@@dod6031 well I’m speaking from my own experience so do with it as you’d like. I’m not speaking for all churches. But I’ll say 99/100 of these churches fall into this category and I’m honestly not sorry for telling the truth. The proof is in the pudding. If I walk into a church that has the most expensive sound system, LED screens, and everybody is speaking gibberish but calling it tongues, I’m walking straight out. These churches don’t have the Holy Spirit, they have the kundalini spirit. Any church that doesn’t have structure is ran by the congregation and that brings chaos. Protestants hate structure and anything to do with tradition but that mindset is fueled by the same spirit of the pope who wanted his own power, the same spirit that prevents a woman from submitting to her husband, and the same spirit that prevents believers from surrendering their will entirely, and the same spirit that prevents believers from repenting. It’s disobedience and this disobedience is encouraged by others that are disobedient because Protestants want to be in control so they don’t have to be held accountable by anybody. Do not tell me anything about tongues, either. That’s not tongues. Read the book of Acts. That’s how tongues works. Tongues isn’t speaking absolute gibberish in front of the whole congregation WITH new believers without an interpreter!!!! Disobedience at its finest. Need I say more?
@@dod6031 I don’t speak for all Protestant churches, only from my own experience at a few “non denominational, Pentecostal, baptist” churches. If the shoe doesn’t fit, I’m not talking about you or your church then my beloved one. I can’t speak for every church. I only express my feelings of my personal experience, I understand I know nothing of your church. But one thing that’s true is if members of your church are speaking in tongues, falling out on the floor, and putting on a whole show, then your church falls into this category. If not, then it doesn’t fall into this category. The biggest and most ignorant deception of all, is telling a new believer that they don’t have the Holy Spirit because they can’t speak in tongues or because they didn’t choose to fall out on the ground when the pastor shoved their head as much as possible to make it look like he has some kinda power that he doesn’t. This CANNOT BE SO! Nobody can gate-keep the Holy Spirit and then shame a new believer for not choosing to be a blind fool like them. That’s hypocrisy, pride, and much more. The churches have taken their focus off of Jesus and have idolized everything else at church and even the spiritual gifts. All you gotta do is read the scripture. If the church is doing something that scripture doesn’t support, I’m NOT doing it. And there’s nothing a pastor or ANYBODY could tell me to convince me they know better than scripture. No. Absolutely not.
Getting to a church for the community is of utmost importance.
I call dibs on making that section into a short! 😂
Thank you so much Godbless, I absolutely am guilty of this.
I am a protestant and have been diving into the Orthodox Church, studying and seek answers over 2 years, it has blessed me so much.
But the idea of being distracted by the learning and consumption is definitely true.
Maybe it's something like:
When a person sees a video he likes on YT, he puts it in his favorites, and then there are more and more things in his favorites, but in fact, he may not even finish watching a single video.
It is so easy to get information nowadays, but it is difficult to really quiet down your mind and focus on one thing.
Even in today's environment, such as the workplace, bosses hope that employees can do N kinds of things at the same time.
Focusing on just one thing is sometimes foolish in the eyes of others.
Perhaps this is one of the reasons why it is common for people nowadays to suffer from anxiety and various mental problems.
Thank you so much Father Paul!
May God bless you.
This is so true. I've learned this the hard way.
Used to read 3 Bible Chapters a day with the study portions. Being able quote verses... I began to think I knew it all...
The passion of pride sprung forth.
Great advice: living out the faith is so important. That's what I'm working on.
And more prayer. Currently a Catechumen so this really helps and speaks to me!
Glory to God for everything
I’m thinking about converting from Catholicism to Orthodoxy.
Do you really have to convert or simply start attending and joining an Orthodox Church ? I don’t understand the converting part.
As a born orthodox. Go to church,support your community. You don’t need books but the church needs support.
I prayed for this confirmation and guidance literally last night. Thank you.
Praying= self deception. Try not lying to yourself.
@@murrayphillipson4830 you don't know what you're saying. Keep on searching and learning.
'spend time in the desert or your heart' beautiful
Definitely adding this video to my watchlist!
Hahaha
I’ve been studying on my own for well over a year. I’m hoping there’s an Orthodox Church where we’re moving.
There’s a map of Orthodox Church linked in Orthodox Kyle’s videos and profile. You can see if there’s a church where you’re living. God bless ☦️
@@OrthodoxMidwife 😊
This is so good and timely. Thank you. I have been in the Protestant belief for 31 years. After never feeling satisfied and not getting my questions answered, I started studying church history. This has led me to understanding the Eucharist, and (finally) clarity on the book of Revelation, among many other "wow" moments. I have been studying and attending both Catholic and Orthodox Mass. I have been excited, yet overwhelmed at all I am discovering. Getting in my prayer closet is key for me.
I'm loving all the content from Father Paul. He seems very real and down to earth. When I first learned about the faith and I became a catechumen, I would watch and listen to anything and everything Orthodox I could get my hands on. I had to learn and am still learning how to throttle that back now that I've been in the Church for 2 years. I would say, if you really want to learn the faith, pay attention to the old ladies, the yiayias and babushkas. Their faith is so genuine, you can't go wrong following their example.
There are no accidents, huh? Today is 1st day of my fasting to get prepared to my confession and Communion (Roman Catholic to Orthodoxy conversion) this Friday. And I just caught myself that, „hey, you remember those books your Father gave to you? Do you even remember them?” I have 10 or so books, that I already had idea that I will re-read them again, make proper notes from them etc., to properly input them into my life - as I took in the beginning more approach of „intellectually getting know orthodoxy” as a priority (but not abandoning the changing of way of being too, of course! I just decided to go top-down way). But the thing is, I believe I don't even remember 10% of what I read? Like, it's much lesser than I thought it should be… And it shows me, despite that I was aware that „first readings will be shallow, I'm just getting familiar with Orthodoxy and later with that gained knowledge I will work on myself”, I realized that I indeed fell into this pitfall! Because like, when it will be the moment that, „hey, re-read them!”?
And here only attitude of my spiritual Father gets so much bright. I asked him once that I'm reading those books, I'm understanding Orthodoxy more, but on the other hand I don't know any Orthodox customs (like what an Orthodox should at home etc.). And he said: „You don't need customs. You don't even need those commandments like humility etc. You only need love to others, because from love the other virtues (like humility) come.” Such simple
Beautiful! Congrats on being received into the Church - my wife and I are currently inquirers coming from the Catholic TLM community. Orthodoxy has been such a blessing for us!
@@JohnAlbinusCongratulations! I was a Roman Catholic nun in 2 different orders but has to leave due to health issues. I have been Orthodox for almost 20 years and never looked back. All glory to God.
I'm not Orthodox nor am I a convert but this was a good reminder for me too
Perhaps this is your sign to go to your nearest Orthodox Church.
1 Corinthians 8:1b
"Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up."
About 2 weeks ago, I finally decided to attend the liturgy for the first time and I was in awe. For the first time I could actually feel God's presence.. But around the 1 hour mark my vision went completely black and I was losing control of my body, I would've fainted if it were not for some gentleman who led me out of the church and made me sit down on the pavement. Now I'm too ashamed to show myself there again- There are a few chairs so I could just sit, but seeing even the grandmas stand for the entire liturgy while I must be sitting down makes me so ashamed of myself.
In the Army we were taught to keep the knees ever so slightly bent when standing still for long periods of time. Make sure you don't lock your knees that can cause you to feint by cutting blood supply
@@mr.mustacheninja4809 Thank you for the advice, God bless you sir
Don't compare the ability of your body to that of others. There is no shame in sitting when you can't stand anymore. Nobody at that church will judge you, don't worry.
Sit if you need to sit, move around if you need to move around. Nobody will care and if they do they're doing the exact opposite of focusing on their worship. In my parish we have a number of toddlers and they have a tendency to be active. It's all okay.
Sit if you need to sit, move around if you need to move around. Nobody will care and if they do they're doing the exact opposite of focusing on their worship. In my parish we have a number of toddlers and they have a tendency to be active. It's all okay.
Fr Paul, it was great meeting you (briefly) at PLC. Don't worry, I'll balance my prayer with the e-book you shared with me.
Thank you Father! Wonderful wisdom you have bestowed. Gotta go now. Off to pray !
Amen! That's what I've come to realize recently! I've been binge watching different orthodox themed videos, but not as much praying, and found out that it's more tiring and wearing me out. But when I started praying more instead, God was answering my questions through reading the Bible and just by thoughts appearing in my heart when praying much better that I would have ever found the answer anywhere.
I’m a testament to everything he is saying. I went really hard into orthodoxy (semi consistent prayer, going to church multiple times a week, reading up on orthodoxy) and when the novelty ran up and I realized the mountian i had to climb I fell out hard. I still haven’t been to liturgy in months. This is good advice
Whoa 😮 this was so timely for me. Thank you Holy Spirit for this guidance
Thank you so much. It is a really good reminder to spend as much time on prayer as we spend on consuming information and, by the way, on food. Prayer is the food to support our soul and spirit.
I made the foolish mistake of buying the complete Philokalia when I first decided I was going to become Orthodox.
It's still gathering dust on my bookshelf, and the more I grow into the Faith, the more I realize it may simply continue to gather dust. Got a good chuckle out of my priest when I told him!
This was so well said because I realized that, as a current catechuman, I do that spiritual consumerism every now and then. Learn from your spiritual fathers and listen to their guidance. I’ve yet to have one, but I’m glad to have listened to this video
Father you are so right on this. Thank you 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Amen! We are newly baptized a year ago. My biggest struggle is prayer. I can study and speak, but it is hard for me to settle myself and pray. Thank you for reminding me.
Perfectly timed. I plan to start Catechism on Aug 12th. Thank for the insights
Thank you so much for this video. It was simply and beautifully said. I personally think about how and when etc I should do different things but daily prayer and spending time in the presence of God will take care of all the rest of the questions about our faith and anything else I made need.
This really described my Situation. I am looking for knowledge, Listening and Reading about christianity, but something is missing. I don’t put much into practise. Thank you father Truebenbach! God bless you and your Family! God bless us all. Amen
I recently subscribed to the channel and I am loving it. I have always believed in God but fell away for the past few years and was just living my life and putting God on the backburner. Last summer I started to get a major pull from God to get back into the word and to grow my relationship with him. I started going to church again but as time has been going on I have been finding that I am now getting a pull to explore the Orthodox church. I currently go to a non-denominational church and while it is great, I am just wanting more deep roots. I am wanting something that is less concert like in worship, and just more traditional. There is just something that seems so beautiful and genuine from the Orthodox church, from what I have been seeing and reading online. I still need to visit one but I am hoping I can find the truth and follow God daily like I should.
Thank you. I recognize much of that in myself in the past..
The good thing about all of that is that we have/had a rather good library of books to read in due time as we could/can..
In looking back on it, i did read several 'helping converts' books, but, besides the OSB, i read the PROLOGUE OF OHRID everyday, and, without realizing it, i got the mind and the heart and the teachings of the Church as well as important stories of the saints to hold on to and remember.
St. Nicholai Velimirovich [of ZICHA] has become one of the saints very dear to me because of that..
Amen! Thank you i am an soon to be catchesim student and you help me alot!☦
Thank you, Fr., I needed to hear that!
Thank you, Father. I needed to hear this today. 🙏
This was a great word for me. I’m new to orthodoxy as a protestant and I love this. I do find myself learning more than I am actually living it. The Jesus Prayer has become my best friend!!
Ajungeți și la inimile celor din alte colțuri ale lumii. Se împlinește cuvântul mântuitorului!
A message that I needed to hear right now 🙏🏽 Amen
Thank you, Fr. I really needed to hear this today.
This man is hitting the nail on the head lately. So grateful for you father 🙏
Thank you Father I needed this
This is so true for me. Thanks for posting.
it takes a long time to begin to see Orthodoxy for what it is. and as Americans, our instincts are to consume and put it in as a personality rather than the difficult work of crucifixion. i was and am guilty of this too.
I needed to hear this. Thank you for your wisdom.
There’s no wisdom here, it’s just more indoctrination and self deception. Very sad!
I unfortunately don't have an Orthodox church nearby. But next year I hopefully will and I will finally get baptized.
I needed this. Thanks.❤
This is of vital importance and those who have come recently to the Orthodox Faith should pay attention and follow. I was baptised into the Faith fourteen years ago, and was like a sponge absorbing knowledge and, yes, it led to pride and I was reading more than I was praying. Part of it was being able to read the Bible in Greek, and the various texts, but nothing is as central as prayer. Thank you, Fr. Paul. I shall now switch off and go and pray.
Well this called me out quite hard. Good stuff and very important lessons
Thank you father!
You are calling us all out!!
Very good advice . Thank you
Very insightful wisdom here.
Indeed, retreating into the desert symbolizes isolation and unwavering prayer, fostering a profound connection with God. The essence of Orthodox faith lies in this relationship, which can be nurtured through practices like the Jesus Prayer. Acquiring knowledge about God is insufficient; rather, it is through the heart that we truly know Him. Embracing humility is paramount, recognizing that our understanding of God is always incomplete and that true knowledge comes from the depths of our being.
Thank you
6:28 very important to hear this right now.
Absolutely well said….
Yes this is very true. The Internet is a blessing and a curse. It’s brought many to the faith, but it also pushes many away from the faith. I had a monk tell me when I first looked in the orthodoxy to be careful of the Internet! I didn’t understand what he was saying at the time but now I do. It’s easy to get caught up in consumerism or in online orthodoxy or videos. All these things are good and helpful but if you do it too much or you don’t balance it with your lifestyle, your prayers your fasting your Praxis, and going to liturgy and meditation, and everything, then you will be off-balance and it will end up destroying you ..ask me how I know. The faith was meant to be lived in practice, not in intellectualism or watching videos.
Thank you for this video
Dude your so right. Right on the money with this one
I remember reading Mystical Theology by Lossky when I was still a catechumen 😅
Lol this video is about me, needed to recognize this for sure!
Hey, I use my Chotki almost everyday 😊
All the Glory to our lord JesusChrist
Orthodox is the right path
This (perhaps obviously) applies to other branches of Christianity too… very helpful
Amen amen amen!🙏🏻
The LDS church has a great strong family of believers who watch out for each other, systematically in a beautiful way, thus reaching out and caring for one another like Jesus teaches. How does the Orthodox make sure their own members will be cared for too?
Three years into my Orthodox catechism, and I can 💯% attest that intellectualizing won't get you there.
Good point
I think I've heard this expressed as "Practice doesn't makes perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect." Slow deliberate practice of the faith.
Also you can't start off juggling 10 balls. One ball at a time and add to it. Take one virtue at a time for example - humility. Break this down even more - letting others go first such as letting them eat first and letting others have the best and biggest portions. Letting others have the last piece if only one is left. Little things like these help build your spiritual life.
Also don't grimace when you do these but do them with a glad heart. If you make virtue obvious because you show your pain, it isn't really a virtue. ☦
Yes.
Billions must see this
This was so good.
So wise
I’m doing this 😢
Search, Ponder and Pray.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit thoughts.
Thanks.
The arrogance of knowledge.
I see it everyday.
It is true that consumption of to much spiritual information it is counterproductive.
Creates a void .
This could be the explanation
Prayer
And informational fasting
And good acts
Simple
Thanks
God bless you.
When you said if you're not praying as much as much as you are consuming things. Would you include time spent reading the scriptures in the prayer time column?
This is directly calling me out lol
Deut 6.4-6, Mark 12.28-32, John 17.3, John 20.17, Rom 15.6, Rom 16.27, I Cor 8.6, II Cor 11.31, I Tim 2.5, Rev 1.5-6, Rev 3.12, and many other scriptures.
Today, embark on a daily ritual that will forever etch the profound significance of prayer into your consciousness. With each viewing of this concise and impactful video, let its message resonate deeply within you. This reminder of prayer's transformative power will serve as a constant beacon, guiding your spirit and illuminating your path. Allow its simple yet profound words to penetrate your heart and ignite a flame of devotion that will endure throughout your life.
If you have the opportunity to be with Orthodox refugees here in the U.S., especially in their homes, better than books for American converts typically.
As always, confer with your father confessor and spouse/family if you are married
Me after coming home from my pilgrimage to a monastery with 7 books and 2 icons.
I'm a new convert and I bought myself a icon of Christ a prayer book some incense and a oil lamp
Would that be consumerism? I know the church will provide other icons and I will collect them throughout my life
the fact that you bought those things r not bad. i really hope you did that to be closer to Christ. now, because you have bought those things, don’t worry about it. focus on your future relationship with God. i would say keep those things and don’t buy more stuff until later on. have progress and start with the things you already own.
@@user-mm4hs5fb6i ok thanks for the input my friend
and yes i did not get them just because Orthodox use them i got them to enhance my prayer and Bible readings and also i find comfort in my icon it reminds me that Jesus is always here for me
Guilty! Great advice.
Take it slow, follow the Church, She is our mother, but be moving forward, you have eternity.
Could someone explain the icons?
Pause the video and pray.