0:00 Today: How Father Mikhail became Orthodox Christian 0:18 Introduction 1:38 Thank you to husband John and wife Mary of Alberta, Canada in Lefridge 🇨🇦 *Family History* 2:13 Mikhail’s Dad’s family immigrated to Canada 🇨🇦 2:57 Mikhail’s Great Grandfather, also named Mikhail, was a priest. *Mom’s Side of The Family* 3:44 Mikhail’s Mom was raised in an Evangelical/Presbyterian upbringing. *Young Mikhail* 👦🏻 5:00 Born into a Charismatic protestant background. 5:58 May 8th, 1991, Happy Birthday Mikhail of Toronto Ontario.🎈🎂🎉🎁 7:23 Love for The Bible ❤️📖 8:07 Mom and Dad converted to Orthodoxy ☦️ Glory to God. 8:29 Young Mikhail was bullied in school 🏫 he had to “fight his way” through problems. *Young Mikhail was bullied in school* 😞🏫 9:18 He got discriminated against for not being Dutch 🇳🇱at a dutch protestant school. 🏫 10:55 Charismatics do “speaking in tongues” demonic type things. 13:00 Another school, more bullying. Trying to be virtuous. 13:43 LOVE to Mikhail’s buddy Mitch! *Heartbreak with an Unloyal Girlfriend* 💔😣 14:57 Unloyal Girlfriend. *College Depression* 😓😫 18:11 19:21 Hard to trust others. 19:43 How can these people abort a child? *Call Center Work* 20:34 Anti-Depressants 21:00 Catholic Church Mikhail. *Improper Baptism* 22:15 Improper Protestant Baptism. 23:05 False Catholicism - Novus Ordo “New Order” 23:26 TLM - Traditional Latin Mass, SSPX *Beginning to Turn to Orthodoxy* 25:25 Voluntary or Involuntary. 26:34 Mom did not initially want Mikhail to be Orthodox Christian 27:23 27:56 “I’ve had enough.” *Pagan Phase* 28:49 Dating a Pagan 29:42 No more anti-depressants *Meeting His Wife* 🤵🏽♂️👰🏻♀️👑👑👸🏻🤴🏻 6:23 He and his wife grew up in yhe same area of Woodstock Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦 30:11 Online Dating Mikhail 31:24 “Lets meet for coffee” ☕️ 34:41 Anya, you ok? *More Call Center Work, Car salesman too.* 35:26 Inappropriate workplace behavior from other people. 36:43 Car Salesman did not work out, Mikhail was let go. *MMA Mikhail* 🥊🥊 37:05 Martial arts 🥋 37:33 Mikhail accidentally broke his foot. *Demonic Protestant Cross* ✝️ 38:15 *Becoming a Priest* 39:32 Become a Priest. 42:37 Frank/Paul Eastern Catholic 44:12 The Way of The Pilgrim. 46:42 Shallow Catholicism 49:51 Anya wants Stability! 51:27 Father Vladimir ☦️ 53:04 Choir, Theophany 55:12 Baptism and Marriage. ☦️🤴🏻👸🏻⛪️ *virus disease 🦠 55:45 Canada Pandemic 2020 😷 58:14 Praying to St. John of Kronstadt ☦️⛪️ 1:01:55 Repose of Metropolitan Hilarion. *Ordained May 22 2022* 1:02:22 May 22nd, 2022 father Mikhail was ordained At Holy Trinity Monastary to the Orthodox priesthood by archbishop Gabriel of ROCOR 1:03:48 Glory To God ☦️⛪️ 1:04:05 Thank you for watching.
*Young Mikhail’s Depression Days* 15:37 Disheartened from a breakup 💔 Bible study became a chore 16:26 Eastern Mysticism 16:43 Studying Kung-Fu in London, Ontario Canada 🇨🇦
I was born Orthodox, and it always amazes me how much strugle people from the western civilization have to go through in order to find true faith. God bless you. greetings from Serbia
I was romano catolic and had a sinfully life. God had mercy of me and now I m an ortodox monk in Romania. It was not easy because the devil persue me and do to me a lot of harm. But I really meet some ortodox saints who help me on the way. The orthodox church is the true way to heaven
I’m a 65 year old man, and I’m a late in life convert to Holy Orthodoxy (Antiochian) from evangelical Protestantism. I can relate to Fr Mikhail’s story on several levels. My parents were “church hoppers”, a not uncommon practice amongst evangelicals, especially today with the rise of consumerist based megachurches. I received a full gamut of Protestantism (Wesleyan, calvinism, dispensationalism, Baptist, holiness, and everything in between). The bullying (which continues into adulthood, especially in numerous toxic workplaces, as I can attest to), and the street hoodlum public schools, I unfortunately know about all too well. The best sales pitch for home schooling, and advocacy for the voucher system (which I think we’ll not see here in America ever). Then Protestant eschatology, which Fr Mikhail experienced, leaving one with a sense of hopelessness. ☦️
We had a pretty similar life, Father. Born in the beginning of 93, bullied, public and private Christian schools, girls, heartbreaks, left the Faith. Met my wife online. Etc. Etc. Etc. Really great to hear this testimony. Makes me feel like others get me.
God Bless you Fr. I’ve become catechumen in the Russian Orthodox Church a few weeks back from the RCC. Your journey and your videos inspire me to grow in strength as a better Christian. You’re always in my prayers. Keep up the good work 🙏🏻🙏🏻🫡🫡 Love from Australia
Glory to Jesus Christ! I hope to become a priest (I'm in the OCA) in a decade (I'm only 20 so I have a long way to go) your videos inspire me quite often to continue to fight the passions and grow closer with God. Continue to fight the good fight and expand the Heavenly Kingdom!
Father I spent 15 yrs in the same type of church you were born in. An Orthodox friend came with me to my church, then we went to his Orthodox Church and for me I feel in love with the Orthodox Church immediately. I never returned to the Pentecostal church and am learning about Orthodox now.🙏🏽
What a great story, father, the priesthood really sounded like a true calling from God. I was under the impression you’ve been a priest for much longer!
A Blessing Father Mikhail. Glory to God in all things! On the 10th, 17th, and 24th of September 2023 I worshipped at Saint Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church, ROCOR, at Sunday morning Divine Liturgy. These were my first times at Divine Liturgy. The Archimandrite met with me before Liturgy, welcomed and embraced me. I was allowed to venerate three Holy Icons and venerate the Holy Cross. I met many people at coffee hour, and everyone was very friendly and cordial. The Divine Liturgy, with the choir, was so beautiful! The church is in Redford Charter Township Michigan, In southeastern Michigan near Detroit in Wayne County. May the Lord richly bless you in your service to Him, as well as bless your wife and children. I am discerning my journey into Orthodoxy and will ask to be received as a catechumen in good time. Please pray for me. With Love and Deep Respect, John Charles Carroll. Christ is Risen!!!
Love this story so far Father, actually many parallels with your family's story and my own. I am converting on my own, but please fellow orthodox and Fr Michael if you see it, pray for me and my whole sinful family that we could enter into the Church. Thank you for your work
i am young so i have not had my full journey with God yet. I am raised by two progressive atheist parents who disregard all religion. my parents divorced when i was young, my step dad is like the ultimate liberal. and my normal dad is a good guy, he is a libertarian but also an atheist, still he has some respect for christianity. when i was younger i semi believed in christianity, i knew almost nothing about it but i still believed myself to be chrstian. i told my step dad about this one day after school and he got so mad😂 he said that we are an atheist family and that christians are a pedophilic cult. i had nothing to say so i just went with it. then about 2 years ago i met an online friend who was russian and orthodox. he tolled me about orthodoxy and that God is good, ever since that i’ve considered myself a orthodox christian. i haven’t told any of my parents about this yet and i don’t intend on doing so. when i am old enough to drive i will go to the orthodox church near me. i’ve been trying to study christianity, though it is sometimes a bit hard to understand nothing will waver my belief in God. God bless you brother ☦️
I am so happy that you want to know Jesus dispose all the devil’s obstacles.Just read the New Testament daily . Pray “ our father prayer “ and talk to God from your heart. Build discipline and train yourself to make few minutes for prayers morning and night . Throughout the day call Jesus name “ my lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me”. You could start your relationship with Jesus now and grow till you could physically join the church and get baptized. You are so loved by God and you well became his faithful servant
We at all very excited to have you serve in our Lethbridge parish in August. Thank you for speaking on tongues, it is very refreshing to hear such honesty that fits with my experiences as well. Thank for sharing your story! RUclips needs more of videos like yours. ☦️
100% i was the only one in my family who has not spoken in tongues and it felt wrong. Now in Orthodoxy, and having read Fr Seraphim Rose, it makes sense why God protected me from it.
Thrilling account! Thank you, so much dear Batuschka Pater for relating your testimony to all us, your online children. Funnily enough, I thought you were an ethnic Serb! 😄. Interesting how the British peoples - Scots & Anglo Saxons, and those of Ukraine-Russia are connected via Scandinavia. Currently reading on the Byzantine English colony in the Crimea 'Nova Anglia'. Fascinating stuff! Pls excuse the digression! 😊
I am convinced that the Orthodox church is the true Church, I want to convert to Orthodoxy but the closest one to me is in another state, I don't know what to do. I will really appreciate guidance on this matter, thank you in advance
Father, your story is very inspiring and almost moved me to tears, thank you for all that you do, you have no idea how much you've helped me and answered my prayers, thank you 🙏☦
Hello, I just found your channel yesterday. Thanks for your testimony. I was converted directly by God outside of any church 44 years ago, started attending a very popular church in Southern California, and so was Evangelical for 11 years. Then I converted to Reformed Protestantism in 1991 and for the past five years have been steadily and consistently studying Orthodoxy and attending an Antiochian Orthodox liturgy. It definitely rings absolutely right for me on all levels: theologically and practically.
Thank you for this video. You must have some gift because listening to your videos while I make breakfast helps me to maintain calm with a newborn and a toddler. God Bless you and your family!
Thanks for sharing your journey to the Orthodox Church with us, Father Mikhail!! May God continue to bless you, your family, and grant you all many years!!
Glory to God for your testimony Father! I've just recently uploaded my story of my own journey to the one true faith as well. I pray the collective effort of our Orthodox brethren will continue to spread awareness so that--like with your story as well as mine--people may be spared all those years of prolonged frustration and feeling disillusioned from wandering around in search of answers, because they simply DON'T KNOW about Holy Orthodoxy. Thank you for sharing this Father. ☦
I was speaking to someone yesterday and said the same thing, most have never heard of Holy Orthodoxy! The devil has been at work suppressing the truth for a very long time.
@@orthodox1717 yes exactly. This is why I started a channel to share what I can--we need more voices to contribute, especially in America--because even though there are plenty of priests and educated people with large followings already doing the work, each persons sphere of influence is different, no matter how small. There can never be too many of us!
Thank you for sharing your story. Makes me appreciate you and your channel all the more. I first stumbled upon it last Halloween when looking up if Orthodox Christians should participate in that “holiday”… and I’ve since watched almost all your videos. They’ve really helped me draw deeper into our Faith. Glory to God, and many years to you, Fr Mikhail. I will pray for you and your family.
So glad I watched the whole thing! God brings some people in fast! You are a blessing to us Father! You and your family will be in my prayers. I pray to be able to meet you when you can visit us down here in the land of Fr Seraphim Rose! I’d love to show you the candle factory and icon shop and, Lord willing, a small RV spot in this rural industrial park near the ROCOR monastery of St Silouan that is changing names and becoming a women’s monastery! 🙏🏻☦️🙏🏻🥰
Thanks again, Father Mikhail! Father bless! I was so excited to hear you ask anyone watching to reach out to you I hurriedly commented. Now, having watched the entire episode, I am greatly blessed by your life story, your baptism and marriage, and then your ordination into the Holy Priesthood! Absolutely wonderful! Glory to God for all things indeed!!!
Very similar to our background as well, although i graduated high schoolthe year you were born! Welcome to Alberta! I hope we will be able to come visit your church in Lethbridge. Please pray for our little ROCOR mission parish in Grande Prairie AB. It is mostly young families and we desperately need a full time priest. I appreciate your efforts to reach out via youtube and Discord...
Thank you, Father, for being so transparent and for lovingly sharing your background. Thanks be to God that you will be able to serve as a full time priest. Wherever you decide to go will be filled with the people God has chosen for you and who need you. Prayers and love, YiaYia Cleo 19:10
My history and journey to the Orthodox Church has almost as many twists and turns as yours. ( Except that you were still dripping from the Baptismal Font when you were ordained). The one thing that I’m still having trouble digesting is that you were born in 1991. You are only 5 years older than my oldest child! 😂 Interestingly, the first book I picked up during inquiry is St. John of Kronstadt’s “My Life in Christ”.
Thank you for sharing this, Fr. Mikhail! Very encouraging and made me think about how God can use any circumstance in our life to His glory and to help us draw near to Him, and the truth of Orthodoxy. Your story hit home on many levels and I was glad to hear! Thank you for your content! From the other side of the Niagara River (Rochester!), Xenia
Thankyou Fr for this lovely and most interesting discussion on your journey to Orthodoxy. It was so honest and truthful and the wobbles all over the place were fascinating!!! I have been listening to you now for a short while and I would not have thought you were such a new Priest. God has truly called you to his ministry and may He continue to bless you and and your family. God called me and I finally listened to him at the age of 74! I came from Buddhism to Orthodoxy and as a Catechumen will be Baptised around the end of this year, God willing. May I also add that I love and respect the fact that you are not following the "modern way" which I believe is a form of heresy. Thankyou for everything you do.
How ridiculous and tragic to deny people the truth of Orthodoxy because of something as trivial as culture. You made it through because God and His people need a shepherd. Greetings from the sunny and sweltering southern USA.
I had similar constant issues with weird (demonic) dreams/visions/paralysis as an atheist.... For years.. They disappeared instantly after I became Orthodox Christian Go figure
Very similar story to yours, kinda scary how similar lol. Been reading and studying the OSB, almost finished. Still haven’t made it to a parish, kinda nerve wracking for me. Loved The plandemic reference 😂 I’ve definitely found my people. Subscribed 👍🏼
God bless you, father, I clung onto every word. You're a great story teller. I'd also like to add how similar your early life was to my own Russian priest's is. He also comes from Canada from Scottish/Irish heritage, had a rough upbringing, was also a convert to Orthodoxy, also has a background in martial arts (he is more of a gym bro and can deadlift 475lbs). It's funny how similar y'all are. But he decided to leave Canada for California and eventually my state, Texas. Fr. Moses is a great guy but his parish is just too far for me and I'm currently attending a Greek Orthodox Church. I think about him a lot. God bless. 🤜🏻🤛🏻☦️
@@living_orthodoxLOL I'm so boring 😂 Tradcat becomes Orthodox, story old as time 🤪 You didn’t become CMRI because then we would have been friends then and now I wouldn’t have a priest 🤔
Great video, gotta go check out the ROCOR church in my town. I do like the Catholic church in my town I think they’re really solid as far American Catholic churches go, but I used to work at Sikorsky as an engineer and Igor the founder of the company founded the church in my town so I feel like it’d be cool to check out. Awesome testimony, related to it a lot although just much younger on my journey to the faith. I feel like from watching you and some other orthodox priests on youtube I really see the obvious benefits to the approach.
Hello Father, I have deeply enjoyed your channel and all the wisdom you have shared. I recently picked up a copy of the Anthologion from Saint Ignatius Orthodox Press. Have you ever seen/read this book? It seems like an excellent collection of liturgical text for parishioners to have in their homes.
Thanks be to God who loves us and gives us opportunities to grow in Him! We’re all different points in our journey through this life. Love Him, your neighbour and keep the commands of Christ and this will keep you well :)
What was the name of the short story again where the village knight gets an orb that shows him everything he wants and it turns out to he a demon? I was looking for it online but I cant find it and I cant remember which yt video you talked about it on
Speaking about the tongues . In st Anthony Coptic Orthodox monastery. We have an Australian monk ( he used to be an atheist now he is a hermit in the desert) who does not speak the country’s language but when he meets with his elder monk he understands what his father says . He only understands Arabic when his father of confession speaks it and vice versa . The monk would speak English and his father understands it . They do not call it speaking in tongues they call it the holy sprit work.
Father, you must have spent like 3 minutes in each of your different religious phases-you are too young to have had that much experience! 😂 I’m the right age to be your mom and came to Orthodoxy in mid-life after a checkered experience in Protestant sects. That included being raised Methodist and encountering Christ as a child and being greatly influenced by the writings of CS Lewis. I had an A/G Pentecostal phase in young adulthood, eventually left that to go to a Conservative Baptist Church that, with a new pastor, went more seeker-sensitive and eventually affiliated with Willow Creek. I stayed there 20 years before finally finding my way Home. God is faithful. Glory to Jesus Christ!❤☦️
Three minutes? Why insult my age or my experiences. Each Protestant sect is a different religion and if you compare them and their theologies to Orthodox theology, you’ll quickly find many of them are either nominalist or extreme realist. I am glad you found your way but it isn’t a virtue to stay in error for a lengthy period of time. As if that somehow makes one a better Orthodox Christian? Forgive me, that’s how this comment comes across. Jesus began His public ministry at 30. I was ordained at 31. Also, what was it that St Paul said to St Timothy regarding age…
@@living_orthodox I don't think it was intended as an insult, just a hyperbolic, humorous comment about the variety of traditions in your religious upbringing.
@@ethanmcclain7570 if it wasn’t than I ask forgiveness. However, I’ve had to deal with this quite a bit in the negative context. Sadly, people are use to priest who aren’t in their thirties due to the utter lack of viable candidates.
my family came from eastern europe- moms half only had protestant churches in the american south and the other half was rabbinic jewish. Had to convert into EO and everyone is shocked when I tell them that. I'm actually embarrassed to say it haha
your story sounds very similar to mine im converting to orthodox talked to a priest today been trying to learn what to expect, the thing that turned me back to God was a pastor telling about how much he loved his dog that had died and that Jesus feels all the pain I did and he wants to take that pain away from me and that ill see my friend again because God knows how much love I feel for my dog, I had been turned against God by people misrepresenting what Jesus was I didnt feel like he cared because nobody ever let me know he felt every bit of pain I felt and I was ashamed I had turned against him he gave me that friend to comfort me in this life now I want to do better for everyone because I want all of us to know he cares
Hey mate, I would love to have a one on one chat with you if I could one time. I'm a 20 year old from Australia, trying to find my feet in faith. I wasnt raised in any religion, but I am seriously drawn to the Orthodox Faith. I want to find my feet, I just need guidance and support. If not, just an email or two would help. God bless you
58:35 Did you help the man out as a layman/friend or were you a reader/clergy/alter helper/deacon? Anyway I am happy things turned out the way it did. Motivating story
@@RuthenianCatholic It is a shame. They have a lot of good stuff in their store and I've got a lot of books through them. I'd keep giving them my money otherwise.
@@living_orthodox thank you! I was able to obtain entry. I would like to take some time to absorb the server, and understand the community. I am tremendously excited to engage with grace, and learn.
Well, videos are a good place to start. Another would be looking into what we believe and doing so from Orthodox sources. Many Catholic and Protestant sources that try to teach about our faith are very inaccurate. Orthodox Ethos, Orthodox Talks and Patristic Nectar are good channels. A good book would be Rock and Sand by Fr Josiah Trenham, an ex Protestant as well.
Hi Father mikhail I have a question that has stumped me for a little while Is calvinism considered a heretical movement? And if it is possible Could you make a video on calvinism from an orthodox perspective(seeing how calvinism is one of the most prominent protestant denomination on america) Thank you father
Where in the Bible is there a notion of a secret prayer language. Short answer there isn’t. One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is self control. This ain’t the case with Protestant ideas of speaking in tongues. It a a form of mediumship.
Precisely what I said. Why ask questions that are answered in the video. Listening requires a mind that is quiet enough to receive what is said dear one. My mom use to be a Pentecostal. She doesn’t do this anymore. She became Orthodox not too long ago.
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0:00 Today: How Father Mikhail became Orthodox Christian
0:18 Introduction
1:38 Thank you to husband John and wife Mary of Alberta, Canada in Lefridge 🇨🇦
*Family History*
2:13 Mikhail’s Dad’s family immigrated to Canada 🇨🇦
2:57 Mikhail’s Great Grandfather, also named Mikhail, was a priest.
*Mom’s Side of The Family*
3:44 Mikhail’s Mom was raised in an Evangelical/Presbyterian upbringing.
*Young Mikhail* 👦🏻
5:00 Born into a Charismatic protestant background.
5:58 May 8th, 1991, Happy Birthday Mikhail of Toronto Ontario.🎈🎂🎉🎁
7:23 Love for The Bible ❤️📖
8:07 Mom and Dad converted to Orthodoxy ☦️ Glory to God.
8:29 Young Mikhail was bullied in school 🏫 he had to “fight his way” through problems.
*Young Mikhail was bullied in school* 😞🏫
9:18 He got discriminated against for not being Dutch 🇳🇱at a dutch protestant school. 🏫
10:55 Charismatics do “speaking in tongues” demonic type things.
13:00 Another school, more bullying. Trying to be virtuous.
13:43 LOVE to Mikhail’s buddy Mitch!
*Heartbreak with an Unloyal Girlfriend* 💔😣
14:57 Unloyal Girlfriend.
*College Depression* 😓😫
18:11
19:21 Hard to trust others.
19:43 How can these people abort a child?
*Call Center Work*
20:34 Anti-Depressants
21:00 Catholic Church Mikhail.
*Improper Baptism*
22:15 Improper Protestant Baptism.
23:05 False Catholicism - Novus Ordo “New Order”
23:26 TLM - Traditional Latin Mass, SSPX
*Beginning to Turn to Orthodoxy*
25:25 Voluntary or Involuntary.
26:34 Mom did not initially want Mikhail to be Orthodox Christian
27:23
27:56 “I’ve had enough.”
*Pagan Phase*
28:49 Dating a Pagan
29:42 No more anti-depressants
*Meeting His Wife* 🤵🏽♂️👰🏻♀️👑👑👸🏻🤴🏻
6:23 He and his wife grew up in yhe same area of Woodstock Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦
30:11 Online Dating Mikhail
31:24 “Lets meet for coffee” ☕️
34:41 Anya, you ok?
*More Call Center Work, Car salesman too.*
35:26 Inappropriate workplace behavior from other people.
36:43 Car Salesman did not work out, Mikhail was let go.
*MMA Mikhail* 🥊🥊
37:05 Martial arts 🥋
37:33 Mikhail accidentally broke his foot.
*Demonic Protestant Cross* ✝️
38:15
*Becoming a Priest*
39:32 Become a Priest.
42:37 Frank/Paul Eastern Catholic
44:12 The Way of The Pilgrim.
46:42 Shallow Catholicism
49:51 Anya wants Stability!
51:27 Father Vladimir ☦️
53:04 Choir, Theophany
55:12 Baptism and Marriage. ☦️🤴🏻👸🏻⛪️
*virus disease 🦠
55:45 Canada Pandemic 2020 😷
58:14 Praying to St. John of Kronstadt ☦️⛪️
1:01:55 Repose of Metropolitan Hilarion.
*Ordained May 22 2022*
1:02:22 May 22nd, 2022 father Mikhail was ordained At Holy Trinity Monastary to the Orthodox priesthood by archbishop Gabriel of ROCOR
1:03:48 Glory To God ☦️⛪️
1:04:05 Thank you for watching.
*Young Mikhail’s Depression Days*
15:37 Disheartened from a breakup 💔 Bible study became a chore
16:26 Eastern Mysticism
16:43 Studying Kung-Fu in London, Ontario Canada 🇨🇦
Mispelling
Lefridge is actually Lethbridge, Alberta Canada 🇨🇦
Glory to God! Fit for a life of a Sain ❤t
I was born Orthodox, and it always amazes me how much strugle people from the western civilization have to go through in order to find true faith. God bless you. greetings from Serbia
Western heresy is deep rooted. Pray for the west.
Imagine how hard it is to be an orthodox in croatia 😂 jk it is actally easy thoug i don't have a church nearby.
@@jelenakajzer4914 just imagine living in croatia as orthodox during WW II. You probably wouldn`t survive.
@@Hermeneuticar acceptable responce
@@jelenakajzer4914 Pozdrav iz Hrvatske, kao katolik naletio na ovog youtubera. Odakle si?
I was romano catolic and had a sinfully life. God had mercy of me and now I m an ortodox monk in Romania. It was not easy because the devil persue me and do to me a lot of harm. But I really meet some ortodox saints who help me on the way. The orthodox church is the true way to heaven
If you are monk then please remember to keep us in your prayers.
@@Desertfox21 yes..I pray for all humanity
I’m a 65 year old man, and I’m a late in life convert to Holy Orthodoxy (Antiochian) from evangelical Protestantism.
I can relate to Fr Mikhail’s story on several levels. My parents were “church hoppers”, a not uncommon practice amongst evangelicals, especially today with the rise of consumerist based megachurches. I received a full gamut of Protestantism (Wesleyan, calvinism, dispensationalism, Baptist, holiness, and everything in between).
The bullying (which continues into adulthood, especially in numerous toxic workplaces, as I can attest to), and the street hoodlum public schools, I unfortunately know about all too well.
The best sales pitch for home schooling, and advocacy for the voucher system (which I think we’ll not see here in America ever).
Then Protestant eschatology, which Fr Mikhail experienced, leaving one with a sense of hopelessness.
☦️
Very similar to my own journey to Orthodoxy. I was baptized and chrismated last year on Pentecost. Glory to God!
We had a pretty similar life, Father. Born in the beginning of 93, bullied, public and private Christian schools, girls, heartbreaks, left the Faith. Met my wife online. Etc. Etc. Etc.
Really great to hear this testimony. Makes me feel like others get me.
Thanks for everything you do Fr Michael, we are all glad to hear you now can work full time as priest☦️
God Bless you Fr.
I’ve become catechumen in the Russian Orthodox Church a few weeks back from the RCC. Your journey and your videos inspire me to grow in strength as a better Christian. You’re always in my prayers. Keep up the good work 🙏🏻🙏🏻🫡🫡
Love from Australia
Are you familiar with Priestmonk Kosmas who is also from Australia?
@@orthodox1717i love his recorded lectures.
Glory to Jesus Christ! I hope to become a priest (I'm in the OCA) in a decade (I'm only 20 so I have a long way to go) your videos inspire me quite often to continue to fight the passions and grow closer with God. Continue to fight the good fight and expand the Heavenly Kingdom!
I am glad to be of any help and encouragement! May God help you and guide you in your desire to serve Him!
What a journey!
What a blessing to have other family members convert as well.
Father I spent 15 yrs in the same type of church you were born in. An Orthodox friend came with me to my church, then we went to his Orthodox Church and for me I feel in love with the Orthodox Church immediately. I never returned to the Pentecostal church and am learning about Orthodox now.🙏🏽
What a great story, father, the priesthood really sounded like a true calling from God. I was under the impression you’ve been a priest for much longer!
By the mercy and grace of God I’ve only made it as far as I have with His help. With Him all things are indeed possible :)
A Blessing Father Mikhail. Glory to God in all things! On the 10th, 17th, and 24th of September 2023 I worshipped at Saint Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church, ROCOR, at Sunday morning Divine Liturgy. These were my first times at Divine Liturgy. The Archimandrite met with me before Liturgy, welcomed and embraced me. I was allowed to venerate three Holy Icons and venerate the Holy Cross. I met many people at coffee hour, and everyone was very friendly and cordial. The Divine Liturgy, with the choir, was so beautiful! The church is in Redford Charter Township Michigan, In southeastern Michigan near Detroit in Wayne County. May the Lord richly bless you in your service to Him, as well as bless your wife and children. I am discerning my journey into Orthodoxy and will ask to be received as a catechumen in good time. Please pray for me. With Love and Deep Respect, John Charles Carroll. Christ is Risen!!!
Thank God for you and your family becoming Orthodox. Father bless. ☦️🙂
Love this story so far Father, actually many parallels with your family's story and my own. I am converting on my own, but please fellow orthodox and Fr Michael if you see it, pray for me and my whole sinful family that we could enter into the Church. Thank you for your work
i am young so i have not had my full journey with God yet.
I am raised by two progressive atheist parents who disregard all religion. my parents divorced when i was young, my step dad is like the ultimate liberal. and my normal dad is a good guy, he is a libertarian but also an atheist, still he has some respect for christianity.
when i was younger i semi believed in christianity, i knew almost nothing about it but i still believed myself to be chrstian. i told my step dad about this one day after school and he got so mad😂 he said that we are an atheist family and that christians are a pedophilic cult. i had nothing to say so i just went with it.
then about 2 years ago i met an online friend who was russian and orthodox. he tolled me about orthodoxy and that God is good, ever since that i’ve considered myself a orthodox christian. i haven’t told any of my parents about this yet and i don’t intend on doing so.
when i am old enough to drive i will go to the orthodox church near me. i’ve been trying to study christianity, though it is sometimes a bit hard to understand nothing will waver my belief in God.
God bless you brother ☦️
I am so happy that you want to know Jesus dispose all the devil’s obstacles.Just read the New Testament daily . Pray “ our father prayer “ and talk to God from your heart. Build discipline and train yourself to make few minutes for prayers morning and night . Throughout the day call Jesus name “ my lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me”. You could start your relationship with Jesus now and grow till you could physically join the church and get baptized. You are so loved by God and you well became his faithful servant
We at all very excited to have you serve in our Lethbridge parish in August. Thank you for speaking on tongues, it is very refreshing to hear such honesty that fits with my experiences as well.
Thank for sharing your story! RUclips needs more of videos like yours. ☦️
Initially thought you said “thank you for speaking in tongues” and thought “uh oh!”…
I look forward to meeting with you all! And definitely not lol. Tongues is demonic
100% i was the only one in my family who has not spoken in tongues and it felt wrong. Now in Orthodoxy, and having read Fr Seraphim Rose, it makes sense why God protected me from it.
I am about to become a catechumen in a few months I’m so excited to be apart of Christs True Apostolic Church!
Thrilling account! Thank you, so much dear Batuschka Pater for relating your testimony to all us, your online children. Funnily enough, I thought you were an ethnic Serb! 😄. Interesting how the British peoples - Scots & Anglo Saxons, and those of Ukraine-Russia are connected via Scandinavia. Currently reading on the Byzantine English colony in the Crimea 'Nova Anglia'. Fascinating stuff! Pls excuse the digression! 😊
Wonderful story!
Greetings from an Orthodox maritimer.
I am convinced that the Orthodox church is the true Church, I want to convert to Orthodoxy but the closest one to me is in another state, I don't know what to do. I will really appreciate guidance on this matter, thank you in advance
Contact the priest of that parish and make the effort to go at least once. He'll have guidance
@@bj.bruner Thank you so much. Alot has happened from then, I am now a Catechumen waiting for baptism by Pascal. Glory to God.
Glory to God!@@prosperikiensikimama2957
Look up Coptic Orthodox they might be closer
@Tanya-tb8ir Coptic are not orthodox, they split from the Eastern orthodox over 1600 years ago and they are heretical. Do not attend a coptic church
Father, your story is very inspiring and almost moved me to tears, thank you for all that you do, you have no idea how much you've helped me and answered my prayers, thank you 🙏☦
Thank you. Please keep me and my family in your prayers!
Hello, I just found your channel yesterday. Thanks for your testimony. I was converted directly by God outside of any church 44 years ago, started attending a very popular church in Southern California, and so was Evangelical for 11 years. Then I converted to Reformed Protestantism in 1991 and for the past five years have been steadily and consistently studying Orthodoxy and attending an Antiochian Orthodox liturgy. It definitely rings absolutely right for me on all levels: theologically and practically.
It doesn.t matter if it's right for you. It's either the Church, or it isn't. Finding the Church is not like trying on blue jeans.
Thank you for this video. You must have some gift because listening to your videos while I make breakfast helps me to maintain calm with a newborn and a toddler. God Bless you and your family!
Anytime I struggle I listen to videos like this 😊🙏🏽
Thanks for sharing your journey to the Orthodox Church with us, Father Mikhail!! May God continue to bless you, your family, and grant you all many years!!
Thank you Fr. Mikhail for your testimony.☦️❤️🩹
Glory to God for your testimony Father! I've just recently uploaded my story of my own journey to the one true faith as well. I pray the collective effort of our Orthodox brethren will continue to spread awareness so that--like with your story as well as mine--people may be spared all those years of prolonged frustration and feeling disillusioned from wandering around in search of answers, because they simply DON'T KNOW about Holy Orthodoxy. Thank you for sharing this Father. ☦
I was speaking to someone yesterday and said the same thing, most have never heard of Holy Orthodoxy! The devil has been at work suppressing the truth for a very long time.
@@orthodox1717 yes exactly. This is why I started a channel to share what I can--we need more voices to contribute, especially in America--because even though there are plenty of priests and educated people with large followings already doing the work, each persons sphere of influence is different, no matter how small. There can never be too many of us!
Glory to God! Glad to see you here Darian! Hope you’re doing well! I also plan to watch your testimony later :). God bless you!
Glory to God! What a powerful testimony! 🙏☦️🙏
this is amazing to hear, glory to God for all this journey
Thank you for sharing your story. Makes me appreciate you and your channel all the more. I first stumbled upon it last Halloween when looking up if Orthodox Christians should participate in that “holiday”… and I’ve since watched almost all your videos. They’ve really helped me draw deeper into our Faith. Glory to God, and many years to you, Fr Mikhail. I will pray for you and your family.
So glad I watched the whole thing! God brings some people in fast! You are a blessing to us Father! You and your family will be in my prayers. I pray to be able to meet you when you can visit us down here in the land of Fr Seraphim Rose! I’d love to show you the candle factory and icon shop and, Lord willing, a small RV spot in this rural industrial park near the ROCOR monastery of St Silouan that is changing names and becoming a women’s monastery! 🙏🏻☦️🙏🏻🥰
I’d love to come visit sometime! Please feel free to email me sometime: fr.mikhail.baleka@gmail.com
Thank you for sharing your story and journey back to Grace. May you continue to bask in the Glory of our Most Holy Trinity.
You are a hero of the Faith, Fr Mikhail! Glory to God. Please place my inentions in your prayers
I pray that God may grant you clarify of mind with your decisions!
Such a nice video. Shout out Redeemed Zoomer seems like an actual chill dude. Praying for him he comes to the blessed faith.
The first ROCOR Parish I went to was Trilingual, Greek, Slavonic and English.
I was born Roman Catholic on the path to Eastern Orthodox ☦️🙏🏿
Me too! I did spend about 15 yrs in a Pentecost church also , I friend introduced me to orthodox 🙏🏽
Thanks again, Father Mikhail! Father bless! I was so excited to hear you ask anyone watching to reach out to you I hurriedly commented. Now, having watched the entire episode, I am greatly blessed by your life story, your baptism and marriage, and then your ordination into the Holy Priesthood! Absolutely wonderful! Glory to God for all things indeed!!!
Thanks for sharing. You always have a considered and compelling way of communicating.
Very similar to our background as well, although i graduated high schoolthe year you were born! Welcome to Alberta! I hope we will be able to come visit your church in Lethbridge. Please pray for our little ROCOR mission parish in Grande Prairie AB. It is mostly young families and we desperately need a full time priest. I appreciate your efforts to reach out via youtube and Discord...
Hey Steph! Shoot me an email. I know a priest who might be able to come and help you
Thank you! I will!
Thank you for this. Edifying.
Thank you, Father, for being so transparent and for lovingly sharing your background. Thanks be to God that you will be able to serve as a full time priest. Wherever you decide to go will be filled with the people God has chosen for you and who need you. Prayers and love, YiaYia Cleo 19:10
Very good! thanks ☦
My history and journey to the Orthodox Church has almost as many twists and turns as yours. ( Except that you were still dripping from the Baptismal Font when you were ordained). The one thing that I’m still having trouble digesting is that you were born in 1991. You are only 5 years older than my oldest child! 😂 Interestingly, the first book I picked up during inquiry is St. John of Kronstadt’s “My Life in Christ”.
Thank you for sharing this, Fr. Mikhail! Very encouraging and made me think about how God can use any circumstance in our life to His glory and to help us draw near to Him, and the truth of Orthodoxy.
Your story hit home on many levels and I was glad to hear!
Thank you for your content!
From the other side of the Niagara River (Rochester!),
Xenia
God bless you and your journey 🙏
Thankyou Fr for this lovely and most interesting discussion on your journey to Orthodoxy. It was so honest and truthful and the wobbles all over the place were fascinating!!! I have been listening to you now for a short while and I would not have thought you were such a new Priest. God has truly called you to his ministry and may He continue to bless you and and your family. God called me and I finally listened to him at the age of 74! I came from Buddhism to Orthodoxy and as a Catechumen will be Baptised around the end of this year, God willing. May I also add that I love and respect the fact that you are not following the "modern way" which I believe is a form of heresy. Thankyou for everything you do.
Thanks for sharing, father ☦️
How ridiculous and tragic to deny people the truth of Orthodoxy because of something as trivial as culture. You made it through because God and His people need a shepherd.
Greetings from the sunny and sweltering southern USA.
Great Message ☦️
God bless you fr. Michael
Yay, awesome to see youre Canadian also! I just started going to an Orthodox church 3 weeks ago, first time ever.going. 😊
Thank you for sharing Father ❤️🔥✝️❤️🔥
Great video
Amazing story! Thank you father!
It’s funny how similar how paths have been. Thank you for sharing God Bless!
I had similar constant issues with weird (demonic) dreams/visions/paralysis as an atheist.... For years..
They disappeared instantly after I became Orthodox Christian
Go figure
Shout out from Alberta
Very similar story to yours, kinda scary how similar lol. Been reading and studying the OSB, almost finished. Still haven’t made it to a parish, kinda nerve wracking for me. Loved The plandemic reference 😂 I’ve definitely found my people. Subscribed 👍🏼
God bless you, father, I clung onto every word. You're a great story teller. I'd also like to add how similar your early life was to my own Russian priest's is.
He also comes from Canada from Scottish/Irish heritage, had a rough upbringing, was also a convert to Orthodoxy, also has a background in martial arts (he is more of a gym bro and can deadlift 475lbs). It's funny how similar y'all are. But he decided to leave Canada for California and eventually my state, Texas. Fr. Moses is a great guy but his parish is just too far for me and I'm currently attending a Greek Orthodox Church. I think about him a lot. God bless. 🤜🏻🤛🏻☦️
God bless you and grant you many years father.
All the cool kids are doing conversion videos 😅 am I next 😯
Yes you are!
My conversion story video is private.
@@living_orthodoxLOL
I'm so boring 😂
Tradcat becomes Orthodox, story old as time 🤪
You didn’t become CMRI because then we would have been friends then and now I wouldn’t have a priest 🤔
10:00 Lord Have Mercy 🙏🏻 😢
Glory to God in all things!
Welcome to Orthodoxy f. Michail. May you and your closest find eternity peace. Christ is risen! ☦️
Greetings from Serbia. 🇷🇸
Great video, gotta go check out the ROCOR church in my town. I do like the Catholic church in my town I think they’re really solid as far American Catholic churches go, but I used to work at Sikorsky as an engineer and Igor the founder of the company founded the church in my town so I feel like it’d be cool to check out. Awesome testimony, related to it a lot although just much younger on my journey to the faith. I feel like from watching you and some other orthodox priests on youtube I really see the obvious benefits to the approach.
Your Kozak blood couldn't led you anywhere but to Orthodox Christianity. Your ancestors were most reliable defenders of it ❤
Hello Father, I have deeply enjoyed your channel and all the wisdom you have shared.
I recently picked up a copy of the Anthologion from Saint Ignatius Orthodox Press. Have you ever seen/read this book? It seems like an excellent collection of liturgical text for parishioners to have in their homes.
My Reader gifted me a copy for my home use. Since I cannot always make it to the services.
God Bless greetings from a Greek Orthodox...☦️ Kyrie Isouy Xriste Eleison emas tous Amartolous ☦️
thank you
Hi father what are the difference between the rcc view on communion and the orthodox view? U mention this around 27:00
I am 3 months younger than you and in comparison you are a grown man and I still feel like 18. Ooof
Thanks be to God who loves us and gives us opportunities to grow in Him! We’re all different points in our journey through this life. Love Him, your neighbour and keep the commands of Christ and this will keep you well :)
Thanks. Спасибо.
What was the name of the short story again where the village knight gets an orb that shows him everything he wants and it turns out to he a demon? I was looking for it online but I cant find it and I cant remember which yt video you talked about it on
Speaking about the tongues . In st Anthony Coptic Orthodox monastery. We have an Australian monk ( he used to be an atheist now he is a hermit in the desert) who does not speak the country’s language but when he meets with his elder monk he understands what his father says . He only understands Arabic when his father of confession speaks it and vice versa . The monk would speak English and his father understands it . They do not call it speaking in tongues they call it the holy sprit work.
Father you wandered a lot 😮.How come during all this you did not pray to God to reveal himself.I think all these girls drove you astray.
I am suddenly very interested in the Orthodox church. I have been searching for God for a while.
Your story is so similar to mine
Father, you must have spent like 3 minutes in each of your different religious phases-you are too young to have had that much experience! 😂
I’m the right age to be your mom and came to Orthodoxy in mid-life after a checkered experience in Protestant sects. That included being raised Methodist and encountering Christ as a child and being greatly influenced by the writings of CS Lewis. I had an A/G Pentecostal phase in young adulthood, eventually left that to go to a Conservative Baptist Church that, with a new pastor, went more seeker-sensitive and eventually affiliated with Willow Creek. I stayed there 20 years before finally finding my way Home. God is faithful. Glory to Jesus Christ!❤☦️
Three minutes? Why insult my age or my experiences. Each Protestant sect is a different religion and if you compare them and their theologies to Orthodox theology, you’ll quickly find many of them are either nominalist or extreme realist.
I am glad you found your way but it isn’t a virtue to stay in error for a lengthy period of time. As if that somehow makes one a better Orthodox Christian? Forgive me, that’s how this comment comes across. Jesus began His public ministry at 30. I was ordained at 31. Also, what was it that St Paul said to St Timothy regarding age…
@@living_orthodox I don't think it was intended as an insult, just a hyperbolic, humorous comment about the variety of traditions in your religious upbringing.
@@ethanmcclain7570 if it wasn’t than I ask forgiveness. However, I’ve had to deal with this quite a bit in the negative context. Sadly, people are use to priest who aren’t in their thirties due to the utter lack of viable candidates.
@living_orthodox This is very true, Fr. Your reaction is also completely understandable. Tone and intent isn't well communicated on the internet.
my family came from eastern europe- moms half only had protestant churches in the american south and the other half was rabbinic jewish.
Had to convert into EO and everyone is shocked when I tell them that. I'm actually embarrassed to say it haha
Never be embarrassed of your faith brother; proclaim yourself as an Orthodox Christian with joy. Glory to God!
@@wilswartzell embarrassed by the protestantism and judaism, Im honored - for lack of using the word proud to be eastern orthodox
God Bless father
your story sounds very similar to mine im converting to orthodox talked to a priest today been trying to learn what to expect, the thing that turned me back to God was a pastor telling about how much he loved his dog that had died and that Jesus feels all the pain I did and he wants to take that pain away from me and that ill see my friend again because God knows how much love I feel for my dog, I had been turned against God by people misrepresenting what Jesus was I didnt feel like he cared because nobody ever let me know he felt every bit of pain I felt and I was ashamed I had turned against him he gave me that friend to comfort me in this life now I want to do better for everyone because I want all of us to know he cares
Similar background to me. My mom is pentecostal and my dad is baptized Orthodox, but just not practicing.
No way you mentioned Windsor I grew up there I live in Ohio rn but was it a church by Devonshire?
What is the church in the background in video miniature?
Holy Trinity Monastery Cathedral in Jordanville NY. It’s where I was ordained.
Father I need some advice i working on becoming orthodox I'm 23 and im still living with my parents and i don't know how to tell them
Oh my gosh. Some resonances with my journey to Orthodoxy. Being Catholic for some time ... the Patchamama thing ...
Hey mate, I would love to have a one on one chat with you if I could one time. I'm a 20 year old from Australia, trying to find my feet in faith.
I wasnt raised in any religion, but I am seriously drawn to the Orthodox Faith. I want to find my feet, I just need guidance and support.
If not, just an email or two would help.
God bless you
Feel free to email me! fr.mikhail.baleka@gmail.com
Hey father! Quick question if it isnt a bother or too personal, what church do you serve in?
58:35 Did you help the man out as a layman/friend or were you a reader/clergy/alter helper/deacon? Anyway I am happy things turned out the way it did. Motivating story
Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy is a very useful book despite being AFR. I do think they've got some things there that are good.
@@RuthenianCatholic Long story short, they bow too much to the world. They have some rainbow themes going on.
@@RuthenianCatholic It is a shame. They have a lot of good stuff in their store and I've got a lot of books through them. I'd keep giving them my money otherwise.
Whoa. I would've never guessed that you're younger than me. Must be the beard and the being-a-priest.
48:25 what book was it? (one about not drinknig from chalice....) also why do you say 5 churches?
know the faith by father michael schamber? not coming up when i google
what do you mean by the church is a pentarchy?
I said it was a pentarchy. Five main Patriarchs who headed local churches and only one fell away. It’s quite simple.
I’ve been trying to join the discord, but the link is giving me fits. I’m getting a notification that the link is expired or no longer valid.
Here I’ll send you a new one
discord.gg/kgMkU4jdfS
@@living_orthodox thank you! I was able to obtain entry. I would like to take some time to absorb the server, and understand the community. I am tremendously excited to engage with grace, and learn.
I’m Pentecostal but I can’t speak in tongues. I’m always suspicious about it. How do I learn more of orthodoxy.
Well, videos are a good place to start. Another would be looking into what we believe and doing so from Orthodox sources. Many Catholic and Protestant sources that try to teach about our faith are very inaccurate. Orthodox Ethos, Orthodox Talks and Patristic Nectar are good channels. A good book would be Rock and Sand by Fr Josiah Trenham, an ex Protestant as well.
I never felt comfortable around the tongues either.
Hi Father mikhail
I have a question that has stumped me for a little while
Is calvinism considered a heretical movement?
And if it is possible
Could you make a video on calvinism from an orthodox perspective(seeing how calvinism is one of the most prominent protestant denomination on america)
Thank you father
It is indeed heretical. Orthodox Kyle has a good video I shared on it, but I can do a video on it soon!
@@living_orthodox thank you father
I will check out the video by orthodox kyle
Pray for the protestant heathen but don't let them influence your faith into their way.
I loved The Way of the Pilgrim.
Father, I have a question...since speaking in tongues is Biblical and should be used as a private prayer language how is it a heresy?
Where in the Bible is there a notion of a secret prayer language. Short answer there isn’t. One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is self control. This ain’t the case with Protestant ideas of speaking in tongues. It a a form of mediumship.
Good decision. Just get on with it humbly
what does he mean by his mom speaking in tongues???
Precisely what I said. Why ask questions that are answered in the video. Listening requires a mind that is quiet enough to receive what is said dear one. My mom use to be a Pentecostal. She doesn’t do this anymore. She became Orthodox not too long ago.