Christian Elder on "Crossing over" | Fr. Ephraim of Arizona on his near-death experience
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- Опубліковано 9 вер 2021
- In this audio recording, Elder Ephraim of Arizona recalls his afterlife experience at the time he was still living as a young monk in a small skete on Mount Athos, in the cell of his spiritual father, Saint Joseph the Hesychast. Later on, Elder Ephraim has built eighteen Orthodox Christian monasteries in North America and fell asleep in the Lord on December 7, 2019.
Audio source: balanthsberoia ( • Η Μεταθανάτια εμπειρία... )
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This video has English and Romanian subtitles. Use the CC button to switch them on or off. Watch this quick-guide on how to turn on captions on your mobile device: ua-cam.com/video/if7eELuaYtI/v-deo.html
Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us! Most Holy Theotokos, save us! ☦
Amen!
Can you pray for my lady friend Thalia Georgalli to be safe from pestilences, plagues etc. Also her son is gay, we would like him to have a different lifestyle and stop his law of attraction lifestyle, for her daughter Anthea Georgalli to have the mental strength to endure life and lifted from depression and dispair, for Chrissie my friend to lean towards prayer, for Andreas Thalia's ex husband to lean towards prayer and Gina , his wife, and for myself to have a stronger faith in my candle prayers for the salvation of my soul. Amen 🙏
We must not be afraid! Salvation is at hand for anyone, even the worst sinner. That is the reason for which Christ received death on the cross, so that Heaven becomes reachable for anyone of us. No one can achieve perfection here but we MUST try and never ever give up. The judgement is for Chist to pass, and Chist is merciful and a loving Father!
Amen!
Amin!
Amin!
My efforts feel like a vanity when given this context. I'm nothing compared to Elder Ephraim let alone Saint Anthony the Great.
Dear one, many would be Saints have thought this at the beginning of their journey when comparing themselves to the great Saints who came before them. If you read Elder Ephraim and Saint Porphyrios they would also say they are nothing compared to Saint Anthony, I too am nothing compared to them. Let us not compare our selves to them. Let them be like road signs directing our the way to truth. Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven. Let God take care of the rest. 🙏🏻☦️
Please pray for my little brother Mario who’s has just fell asleep as a couple days ago. Baptized a Christian Orthodox please have him in your prayers.
Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us sinners. Panagia Theotokos save us!!
❤
✝ So let us forgive & ask for forgivness, while we are here on planet 🌎 ✝
If we're serious about salvation, then rememberance of death will lead us to repentance. Let us daily keep in mind our mortality and remember that "today is the day of salvation." Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Most Holy Theotokos, save us. 🙏☦️
One of our Newest Saints! God Bless Him!
Thank you so much for giving us Blessed Ephraim! God bless you all for this work you do!
yes amin!
Thank you too!
Lord Jesus Christ have mercy upon your people. Amen
Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have Mercy on me a sinner
Lord Jesus please forgive us of our sins and help us to see the light before our time comes and it is too late. Have mercy on us and thank you for everything you do for us. We love you lord Jesus, god bless us. Amen
When you think of eternity all of a sudden The Bible and The Commandment of Jesus will be very very easy to do. God is not asking us too much.
The commandments are not easy for us men, that is why we're here in the first place. You are right that in contrast to eternity, the commandments appear so simple - they are, God indeed asks comparatively little of us - but we must remember that we are unable to fulfil the law. That is why Christ came to fulfil the law, that we may find salvation through faith in Him.
The commandments will not be "very, very easy to do" - even after learning this. However; we may find solace in knowing that we are made righteous through our faith in Christ, and that He will even confess us before our Father in heaven.
@@niconiconiick6979 yes, but by living out our faith in prayer and sacraments, over time we are sanctified, and we are eventually able to follow all the commandments and reach theosis. Don’t forget that.
@@vasiliskaranos605 where does it say this? Which church father says that this can help to attain this?
@@vasiliskaranos605 what are sacraments
Lord have mercy on us sinners.
Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us, Most holy Theotokos save us!
God bless you father Ephraim 🙏
thanks again and again!
Thank you folks @ OTE. One of my favourite Yt channels in these difficult days! Most Holy Theotokos save us. Saint Efraim pray for us.
Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on me a sinner +
God bless!
Esti genial omule , imi traduci materiale cu unul din părinții mei preferați. Tradu tot ce găsești despre el si eu voi fi aici
How could someone downvote this video. It’s so sad.
I think it's often accidental - when viewing on a mobile phone, the up & down thumbs are very close to each other.
@@mrsnkg7904 or maybe youtube auto-generates dislikes
It could be an accident, but unfortunately there are many who are very opposed Geronda Ephraim and what he has had to say. Elder Ephraimia has made such a huge impact on my life and my family’s life that I can not begin to fathom how others could dislike him so much. May God have Mercy on us all
🙏🙏🙏
God bless!
Brethren, let's keep in mind the Gospel & Epistle Readings for today, 12th Friday after Pentecost:
' The Lord said to His disciples: "God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God." ' (John 3:16-21)
And vv. 10 from the Epistle Reading for today (2 Corinthians 7:10-16):
'Brethren, godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death.'
Let us therefore keep our minds in Hell, and despair not, as the Lord told St. Silouan, and pray to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-Begotten Son of God, that He grant us repentance before the end!
God bless y'all in the Name of Jesus Christ. I ask for your prayers (especially for humility).
May the Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us all. Amen! ☦️
Amen, amen!
The thing that gets me is if a young monk living in a cell next to a saint wasn't repentant enough, and was condemned so that he asked to go back to earth, what chance do the rest of us have? I'm beginning to believe that only the saints will be there in heaven, especially in this age where spiritual advisors, and even confessors are thin on the ground and have such limited time. It's very worrying.
@@wmnoffaith1 I would imagine this is something to say to your priest rather than the internet.
However, for what it's worth from a 'lutheran', we know that "God's Word stands forever" 1 Peter 1:5 so look back to what He said of you at your Holy Baptism, at the Absolution, at the Eucharist, and remember those Words of Promise and Grace, Forgiveness and Life Everlasting.
If Dismas the thief is saved solely by Christ's Word on the cross, then so can a monk and a beggar like us. I've even heard that some of the EO's saints have said they are only saved by God's mercy; similar to Martin Luther's last words, 'we are beggars. this is true'.
@@wmnoffaith1 dear friend
they will be judged different as they give there life’s to Christ so for us that we are in the world with work stress family kids and so on is different
One of the holy saint said we as monks can say 1000 times lord have mercy and we will not be saved and one person in the world will say one time lord have mercy and they will be saved
As they have to deal with daily problems and stress that the monks don’t because all they do is pray they don’t have kids wife or work stress for money and so on
Monks , priests , bishops etec they will have more hard judgement
As for us it will be more easy and forgiven as we are to weak spiritually and we fall to easy
We not like the Christians back in the day that they were ready to die for there faith in Christ be burned a life an so on
So don’t worry 🙂☦️
@@DJKOSTAS1000 I know what you're saying but it makes no sense; if the early Christians were better Christians than we are, why would God be harder on them.? He would be easier on them because they loved Him more than we do. If we are weaker spiritually and fail more, why would He be easier on us? I think He would expect us to try harder. After all , we could have been monks or nuns ourselves, but we chose not to. Instead we chose the world instead of Him. I can't imagine Him being easier on us just because we are worldly.
Depart from me I never knew you
Those words should struck fear to any Christian
Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on me a sinner Amen 🙏
Danke!
Thank you! God bless!
Don't trust your own efforts trust and hope in Christ alone.
Mulțumim din inima!
Спасибо.
Love God❤️🙏
Doamne ajută!
I thought if we confess our sins and repent, we r guaranteed heaven?? A human father would not harm his child regardless of the situation. I still believe in Christ infinite mercy.
ua-cam.com/video/XZwklDQj-zo/v-deo.html
Yes, but you have to act out your repentance. If at the time of your death you are in a state of sin and separation from God, is God going to receive you into heaven? He wants to, but if you reject him, he won’t. That’s why it’s not just a one time statement of faith as Protestants believe that saves you, but we have to continually live a life OF repentance, without letting our guard down. Everyone has to carry their cross, but they can carry it for decades and then drop it. Of course, the most important part is confessing Christ, repenting of your former ways, and getting baptized. But if you continue sinning after that, you return to your old state. That’s why there is a battle between the old man and new man. Being a Christian isn’t an instance, it’s a process. Jesus said “he who endures till the end will be saved.” He also said that he will come as a thief in the night, so you must be ready at all times, thinking constantly about how you can live according to his will. Repentance isn’t simply saying “I regret my actions,” it’s constantly getting back up when you fall, which is daily. It’s battling against your passions and humbling yourself before God in the sacrament of confession.
@@vasiliskaranos605 On what grounds does one reject God?
@@vasiliskaranos605 Can these finite things that have their root in ignorance amount to the infinite rejection of an absolute being?
This was the topic of our sermon, there's many ways to reject God, by sinning and not repenting, not going to church, being embarressed to be Christian, slandering and being cruel to your friends and family, etc. God opens the door for you, through the Sacraments of the Church, and it's up to us to walk through. Doesn't mean it will be easy!! Lord have mercy on me.
Man I am absolutely terrified how is anyone supposed to be saved
God forgive us
Do you have the full video ?
ua-cam.com/video/kYDCJdIhUWY/v-deo.html
Doesn't Eastern Church teach that a believer is led through toll houses (that might feel like hell because of the wicked spirits) but is eventually accepted to heaven? The doctrine of saving through fire?
It's not an official dogma...
Not a single Church Father ever wrote even one sentence expressing doubt about this teaching (which is present in its most general form in the Church since at least fourth century), although their discussions of the topic are always about general struggles with "tax-collector" demons, lacking the details present in Gregory's vision (apart from one pseudo-Makarian story which also mentions numerous toll-houses and a bargaining over sins at each one). Thirdly, some of the greatest modern authorities of the Orthodox Church, such as St. Ignatius Brianchaninov[17] and St. Theophan the Recluse,[18] insisted not only on the truthfulness, but on the necessity of this teaching in the spiritual life of a Christian.
Liturgical evidence:
In both the Greek and Slavonic Euchologion, in the canon for the departure of the soul by St. Andrew , we find in Ode 7: "All holy angels of the Almighty God, have mercy upon me and save me from all the evil toll-houses."
Likewise, in the Canon of Supplication at the Parting of the Soul in The Great Book of Needs are the following references to the struggle of a soul passing through the toll-houses:
"Count me worthy to pass, unhindered, by the persecutor, the prince of the air, the tyrant, him that stands guard in the dread pathways, and the false accusation of these, as I depart from earth." (Ode 4, p. 77).
"Do thou count me worthy to escape the hordes of bodiless barbarians, and rise through the aerial depths and enter into Heaven…" (Ode 8, p. 81).
"[W]hen I come to die, do thou banish far from me the commander of the bitter toll-gatherers and ruler of the earth…" (Ode 8, p. 81).
In the Octoechos, there are many references to the Toll Houses:
"When my soul is about to be forcibly parted from my body's limbs, then stand by my side and scatter the counsels of my bodiless foes and smash the teeth of those who implacably seek to swallow me down, so that I may pass unhindered through the rulers of darkness who wait in the air, O Bride of God." Octoechos, Tone Two, Friday Vespers
"Pilot my wretched soul, pure Virgin, and have compassion on it, as it slides under a multitude of offences into the deep of destruction; and at the fearful hour of death snatch me from the accusing demons and from every punishment." Ode 6, Tone 1 Midnight Office for Sunday
In the Saturday Midnight Office, the prayer of St. Eustratius, contains the following:
"And now, O Master, let Thy hand shelter me and let Thy mercy descend upon me, for my soul is distracted and pained at its departure from this my wretched and filthy body, lest the evil design of the adversary overtake it and make it stumble into the darkness for the unknown and known sins amassed by me in this life. Be merciful unto me, O Master, and let not my soul see the dark countenances of the evil spirits, but let it be received by Thine Angels bright and shining. Glorify Thy holy name and by Thy might set me before Thy divine judgment seat. When I am being judged, suffer not that the hand of the prince of this world should take hold of me to throw me, a sinner, into the depths of hades, but stand by me and be unto me a savior and mediator..."
@@otelders im unsubscribing after reading your response
@@diegobarragan4904 Diego, this channel is about Elders, not about me...
Traducere?
Alegeti limba romana la subtitrare. Vedeti aici cum: ua-cam.com/video/if7eELuaYtI/v-deo.html
Mulțumesc.
What it a near death experience or an out of body experience?
4:24
First of all, this is not a near death experience. Nothing occurred causing him to die. This was an out of body experience (OBE). Second, when the vision said angels will not help him, this totally contradicts the teaching of the Church that angels assist and protect us after death. Third, when he stopped ascending and began to descend, this implies that God made a mistake. God does not make mistakes.
I don't understand. How can you be judged before judgement day?
It is the first judgement after death. I dont want to misinform you so you should ask an orthodox priest about it
So the motivation to follow a holy life should be the fear of being tortured and dwelling in the company of demons forever if we don't?
Should not be like that... "We love Him, because He first loved us." [1 John 4:19]
@@otelders The plain truth is that it is simply impossible to love somebody about whom I believe at the same time that he, under certain circumstances, would want me or my loved ones to suffer never-ending torture that is so gruesome it goes beyond any human being's imagination.
@@robertwegner8962 The Hell is torture because only God exists, and if someone freely go away this is what he or she founds, is not natural to be far from Him. Everyone choose. The devil created his place, he burns because he cannot find anywhere so far away from the love that keeps him alive, and the Lords wounded hands just keeps bleeding. He is the only who knows whats inside our hearts, eternity is Him. Pride blind us to see His own sacrifice to erase the debt, to see the purest and the fearless love.
@@robertwegner8962 Read 2 Peter 3:9 , 1 Timothy 2:4 KJV. ua-cam.com/video/XZwklDQj-zo/v-deo.html
@@robertwegner8962 agreed. There was an elder who came closest to the truth in my opinion and experiences; he said people so far removed from god's love will feel like a suffering because they cannot stand god's love. They never knew it, so being close to him will be painful. All of these are just dreams that they describe. If life and death were truly like that then it's just sadistic. What god would want their offspring to suffer under any circumstance. To teach them something, temporarily? Maybe. But not like that. It's worse than Saw and i would not wish it on my enemies.
هذاوالاشي
St John says that God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him.........There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.
What I hear in the recording above is the complete opposite of that.
At the moment of his near death experience he hadn't been made perfect in love yet, so he was right to fear the judgment. He knew he could do better ,this is why he said send me back I will repent, I will be better.
John describes a saint that has known Jesus so clearly, that he lives such a holy life, that he has confidence in judgement.
We should aim to become that, but it's not guaranteed we have it. Your conscience will let you know if you are assured of salvation. But to have a clear conscience, you have to ask for the Spirit to guide you. You have to be fully immersed in love. A lukewarm Christian should be very, very afraid he might be cast out and hear the words " I never knew you"
Hard to imagine people leading specialized spiritual lives worrying about their sins which must be pretty minor. Being afraid of death surprised me. Most post NDErs do not fear dear. I am one of them.
Where is the assurance of eternal life that our Lord Jesus promised to those who believe and rely upon Him for mercy and salvation at the end? "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3: 36 NKJV). It wouldn't matter how much you did in this life if you don't fully trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy and salvation you have the wrath of God abiding upon you. Do you believe and trust, or are you on the other side with the unbelievers. Notice this wonderful verse. "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." (I John 5: 12 NKJV). Do you have the Son, or you with those that do not have the Son of God? Notice another Scripture verse that couldn't be more clear. "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6: 40 NKJV).
There is little question that the events taking place in our time are unprecedented and will never again take place on Earth. Do you realise that the Two Witnesses have been present for some time?
Watch: “UPDATED VIDEO! ELIJAH - THE MOST BIBLICALLY PROMISED PROPHET OF JEHOVAH YAHWEH” on Repent & Prepare the way.
The two witnesses, Elijah and Moses, are present on earth. 9 Then the Lord told Moses, "Look, I'm coming to you in a thick cloud so that the people will hear me when I speak with you and believe you forever." And Moses informed the Lord of the people's remarks (Exodus 19:9).
Watch: “THE STRIPES OF MOSES” on Repent & Prepare the way.
He should have spoken in English so people can understand.
The video has English subtitles...
You should have learned Greece to understand
I ask you why do people attach any spirituality to this man . All you had to do is look at the way he acted and you could see there was something very wrong with him . These babbling s prove it.