Amen! The intro message is 100% correct! I have sponsored several catechumens, and when they ask me things about their spiritual life, I don't even give them... my own godchildren, advice. I wouldn't dream of doing that because I know my place, which is NOT as the priest of our church! Heaven forbid I lead then down the wrong path for them personally. No Orthodox should ask for spiritual direction off the internet or anywhere but their spiritual advisor.
Please make your counsel into clips to share! This intro message was EXACTLY what I needed to hear. I have been so tormented by the contradictory messages I hear and what my priest says. I want to follow Christ and so much has been confusing and scary, frankly. Thank you! I am also enjoying Thinking Orthodox!! God bless you, Dr Jeannie!
Thank you for helping me trust my sweet priest. I needed that. I can trust that he really knows what’s best for me personally. Thanks so much for your weekly study. I look forward to it. ❤️
Dear Dr. Jeannie - your introductory comments about not seeking advice on your own from books or the internet would make such an important pamphlet/booklet for inquirers and catechumens! People are calling themselves Orthodox or catechumens without even entering a church yet, people are giving each other fasting “rules” or guidance, telling themselves and each other that the canons are laws, saying what they think a priest would say - nobody wants to interact with the priest. They are missing out on one of the most special, significant, and beneficial relationships of their spiritual lives, while burdening themselves with incorrect beliefs and practices, through ignorance, fear, or disobedience. It seems people really want to “do Orthodoxy” (or try it out) on their own, even with elaborate icon corners they have set up, trying to fast and pray on their own, without even being received into the Church first - or if they are catechumens, without even speaking with their priest as to whether they even should be trying to fast through Lent. Some of it is social anxiety, some of it ignorance, some of it is individualism - but none of it is actually Orthodox, so they aren’t even accomplishing what they have set out to do. I don’t say this to be harsh - rather, I am just as concerned as you are. Your wisdom is timely!
Dr. Jeanie bringing the heat right off the bat. Thank you for this stream and God bless you and your family.
Amen! The intro message is 100% correct! I have sponsored several catechumens, and when they ask me things about their spiritual life, I don't even give them... my own godchildren, advice. I wouldn't dream of doing that because I know my place, which is NOT as the priest of our church! Heaven forbid I lead then down the wrong path for them personally. No Orthodox should ask for spiritual direction off the internet or anywhere but their spiritual advisor.
Please make your counsel into clips to share! This intro message was EXACTLY what I needed to hear. I have been so tormented by the contradictory messages I hear and what my priest says. I want to follow Christ and so much has been confusing and scary, frankly. Thank you! I am also enjoying Thinking Orthodox!! God bless you, Dr Jeannie!
Hi Laura, that's a great idea. We can do that
Thank you for helping me trust my sweet priest. I needed that. I can trust that he really knows what’s best for me personally. Thanks so much for your weekly study. I look forward to it. ❤️
Go Dr. Jeanie! Thank you, you are so right!
I love your honesty because you care about our souls.
Bravo ☦️☦️☦️☦️
Dear Dr. Jeannie - your introductory comments about not seeking advice on your own from books or the internet would make such an important pamphlet/booklet for inquirers and catechumens! People are calling themselves Orthodox or catechumens without even entering a church yet, people are giving each other fasting “rules” or guidance, telling themselves and each other that the canons are laws, saying what they think a priest would say - nobody wants to interact with the priest. They are missing out on one of the most special, significant, and beneficial relationships of their spiritual lives, while burdening themselves with incorrect beliefs and practices, through ignorance, fear, or disobedience. It seems people really want to “do Orthodoxy” (or try it out) on their own, even with elaborate icon corners they have set up, trying to fast and pray on their own, without even being received into the Church first - or if they are catechumens, without even speaking with their priest as to whether they even should be trying to fast through Lent. Some of it is social anxiety, some of it ignorance, some of it is individualism - but none of it is actually Orthodox, so they aren’t even accomplishing what they have set out to do. I don’t say this to be harsh - rather, I am just as concerned as you are. Your wisdom is timely!
Be careful yall.