I'm a firefighter in NJ USA. I'm converting to Orthodoxy. Right now I find it hard to explain to others,why I am converting. I know in my head, but when I open my mouth I do not articulate it correctly. In fact , when I told a friend that I am trying to die to this world there was a look of puzzlement it's better to say nothing and just live accordingly. This is a blessing because if you really want to share and even evangelize it should be from how you live your life and how you love ... Not a bunch of words that just confuse. I'm working on it! God Bless
Well said….. I was baptized & chrismated last Pascha season & had the same experience. Some of my family members think I am totally off now, especially my wife. Therefore, I stopped talking about Orthodoxy to them and do my best to live out my faith.
Born Serbian Orthodox and will die Serbian Orthodox. I was an atheist for a very long time but as I am getting older I have found myself being pulled by the divine and what I feel is in my blood! 🇷🇸☦️♥️
Love to see it brother in christ. I was atheist until one night I said a prayer for a friend with 0 intention really behind it and immediately felt a rush of warmth almost as if I was given a hug and broke into tears amd it changed my entire outlook and life. I never cry by the way.
Converted to Orthodoxy after 22 years of Protestantism! My husband and our children and I will all be baptized this May! Thank you God! Please pray the rest of our extended family comes to the true church as well! Lord have mercy 🙏🏼☦️
Can you convert to a same religion ? True church is actually those who follow Christ and His commandments, and that’s not restricted to Orthodox Church. Although I really admire and watch a lot of orthodox teachings God bless you.
Please don’t become like many orthodox (many, not all) that only thinks that Orthodoxy is the truth, like the orthodoxy is the way, the truth and the life, instead of Jesus alone.
God bless you!! I guess one major difference between what I am now and what I once was.. is humility. I really had to humble myself and realize it is not little old me who sets the parameters and definitions of truth. Truth is truth outside of my bias, outside of my feelings, outside of my thoughts, outside of my own personal beliefs or interpretations.
I am a Sikh, but through reading Dostoevsky (especially the words of Father Zossima from 'Brothers Karamazov'), then subsequently visiting Russia, I have the upmost love and respect for Orthodox Christianity. ❤
@@rayj.5792 The pupper government accepts that, not the church, but nice try lying. And by accepts I mean forced it down our throats because Mαcrοn's wet dream is to forced it on EU countries as much as possible, what better way to achieve that with ease than to threaten indebted countries.
Been to this church when I was traveling through Salt Lake City, beautiful liturgy. I am being received into the Orthodox church on Holy Saturday this year along with 20 other converts in Texas. I left the Baptist church for the Anglican church, but I always knew that was an in between step to the Orthodox church.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is one of the eldest Churches and was founded from Apostle Philipp and a real African Church from the beginning! The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has a lot of traditions which are unique in the Christian World, they preserved a lot of ancient scriptures and they should be honored, all my love to my Ethiopian Orthodox Church brothers and sisters!❤❤❤
@@OrthoHoppean If people just put aside the word miaphisite and diphisite, and try to understand the what each churches meant to say, they could've been united. because the idea is the same but it is the language and the word they use to express is different
@@OrthoHoppean Yeah, that is why you are here saying that Ethiopians are not Orthodox. The thing is Ethiopian also call the eastern that they are heretics. But if you really understand the meaning, there is no difference.
My wife and I were baptized into the Orthodox Church last year. I was raised Church of Christ and eventually became Baptist and went to seminary…serving as a deacon and minister. Over time, I fell out of Protestantism and basically stopped going to church. I viewed what I saw going on in most churches as fake and, in many cases, downright heretical. But I also had my own issues with sin and worldliness that kept me away as well. It was during COVID that I began to explore the roots of my faith and Orthodoxy popped up…like a submarine surfacing out of nowhere to save me. I had never even considered it. However, with the help of our local priest, he answered our questions and loved us into becoming catechumens. We learned, and are still learning. After so many years, we have arrived home at the true church, and it is glorious!
The true Church according to Saint-Augustine or as he calls it " the Invisible Church" has no address , no particular name but englobes all those who really belong to Christ. Hope you are not deceived.
@@heroevulgar Of course, you are right. We need discernement and we have to distance ourselves from charlatans and prosperity Gospel "preachers " . However, Orthodox believers from Slavic countries and even from Greece when they hear us preaching Christ crucified calls us heretics, neo Christians, fanatics , and many other nice names ...and claim :" You got the Bible from us..." " You came out from the Roman Catholic Church, not from us.." There is also a certain degree of antisemitism in Orthodoxy and the tendency to adopt the " replacement theology" heresy. Finally, what matters is how the LORD evaluates our lives ,our ministries. The end is near. Shalom !
@silverecho1201 through my years of getting very involved into Lutheranism, it seemed like Luther's heart was trully in the right place, in the beginning. He loved Christ and the Latin Church. But it also seemed like, when Rome rebutted him, his pride began to build because the common people looked up to him. He believed he was smarter than the rest and more faithful. I think he would have become Orthodox in the first beginning years. But as the years went by he got angrier at Rome to the point he had to create a new understanding of what the "church" is.
@@MajorMustang1117 Jonathan Pageau mentioned that in his opinion, if Luther had died in the beginning, he would have surely become recognized as a Saint by the Latin Church some years later.
@enzocompanbadillo5365 I agree. But I think there is a great lesson for all of us there. To always be humble, even when we believe we are correct. Something that I had to learn, myself. I spent so much time researching and learning about Christianity that along the way I confused 'knowing' more about the Faith was the same as becoming more faithful. My mind was on God, but my heart was far from him. So I would argue intellectually with others instead of being loving.
Same for me. I had to repent of all the arguments I've been in online and in person over 3 decades. I used to take great joy in debating. It's such a blessing to be free of Protestantism and finally at home in Orthodoxy.
If done in anger, pride, and a desire to 'show up' the other party, I would argue yes. Incidentally, I need to apologize to someone I was arguing with last night.
When I returned to the True Church of Christ, The Orthodox Church and I entered and I felt tears I was touched by the Holy Spirit. Glory to The Father, and The Son, and The Holy Spirit, One God.
@@jupiterinaries6150 You don't seem to understand Christianity or the Bible. "And I say that you are Peter, and upon this rock I shall BUILD MY CHURCH" (Matt 16:18). Stop following your true master, satan, who is guiding you by your own ego.
@@capone70 you are the deceived one. God is within you. God is in Nature, in Love, in the emptiness. You’ve been duped by your church to follow men. The Bible is a metaphor of the spirit world within. Just as God is infinite so also are biblical interpretations infinite. Remain in your dogmatic prison.
There is a large number of Protestants and Catholics who are converting (including myself) to Orthodoxy. For myself it was because the western religious leaders are content to sit on their hands and the Catholic Church has completely abandoned all its faithful and openly supports this evil that has taken root. After I watched the Patriarch speak in Moscow I began researching Eastern Orthodoxy and decided to take the first step. I feel like my life has made a serious improvement after that choice was made.
I'm Colombian Orthodox 🇨🇴☦️ There are not much Orthodox temples in my country but many many people is telling me where they can find one cause they wanna become Orthodox ☦️🙏🏻
Perdón, pero eso no tiene sentido. Colombia es un pais católico y logicamente hay bastantes iglesias católicas para asistir. En tu opinión ¿cuál es la diferencia y hecho "verdadero" del ortodoxismo que te atrae? Si fueras protestante eso sí es otra cosa. Pero a parte del aspecto de la liturgía (y eso también encontrarás en el catolicismo oriental) no veo una gran diferencia.
There are Orthodox churches in Bogota. For information about additional churches, please contact the Archbishop of Mexico, as the Church in Colombia falls under his authority.
@@capone70Здраво❤Одакле сте,из које земље?Ја сам из Србије,моји корени су оrtodox а ја сам постала исто кад сам одрасла.То је највећа част и највећа слобода али и велика одговорност...
I was born into a non practicing Greek Orthodox family. Then I left the church and became a Protestant after "giving my life to Christ", and now, 10 years later, I returned to the orthodox church by the Grace of God. Greetings from Germany.
Brother, so you consider " giving my life to Christ" was a mistake ? Remember Philippians 2:10-11 " 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. " I hope you will not be confused and ashamed , see you there, brother !
@@rayj.5792 As one who left Protestantism, I thought it was the answer when I first joined. Then, in 1985, I found the Orthodox Christian Church, as it is the First Church of the Holy Apostles. We give our lives to Christ everyday, and we even make a vow that we're even willing to suffer as Christ did. We know it could even cost us our lives, but in Christ, we have Life Eternal. There's no mistake about it! Glory to God! It's not a religion; it's the Way, the Truth and the Life, because Christ Himself said it. He is our Savior and redeemer, and He is the Resurrection. It also just so happens that God's Holy Word, which He is, still includes 10 books which were removed by the Protestants. I knew something was missing. Finally, there are so many truths we can learn about ourselves and each other in Christ Jesus, and there are so many more experiences we may not fully understand. This is because God's ways are not our ways just as He said, and we need to read the whole Word of God to fully recognize we know nothing without Christ! I was received into His Church on April 5, 1987, and I'm still learning so much about myself and Him. The good news is that we really do begin to realize just how glorious God is in His Saints, because we are renewed in Him when we get out of our heads, and open our hearts to Him. As He said, we must become as little children. Children have no fear when they're young, and we learn to trust God and love Him more and more. Fear of punishment is replaced by a whole different fear; one that is based on knowledge, experience and obedience. We want to grow our relationship with Him and learn to serve others through Him in everything we do, and we no longer are bound by guilt or shame. We don't want ot lose our relationship with the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, because we've come to realize that there is so much more to His Way. He does for us what we can't do for ourselves, and He makes the seemingly impossible possible! We're bound by His Love, grace and mercy. I could go on and on, but I believe this is enough for now. God bless!
@@rayj.5792 Unfortunately, I know a person like that. After being a Pentecoast Christian, and her and her husband studied Theology in Switzerland, she became Bulgarian Orthodox. That is what nowadays divorced from God Germanized (after being Hellenized) Christianity does to the souls of people! But it is what we call to '...pour from empty into a hollow one..' in Bulgarian sayings language! All those are part of the Apostate Church pretending to be of the Christ! You need to go back to the Biblical roots of the Bible! And they are not Hellenistic but Jewish! There are so many differences between the translated Greek biblical texts and the Hebrew Gospels that show a shift to paganism in thought and action too! You are missing the goal, i.e. sinning and it is leading you astray!!!
@@nyagolnyagolov7130 So I wrote somewhere in this discussion that a Jew led ne to the Lord Jesus Christ and baptized me in water by immersion. See, I will never kiss icons and statues. I will never kiss a priest' s hand. I bow down only to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ...
Amazing speech, father Paul! There's no such thing as spending some time in an Orthodoxy monastery, it changes the whole perspective of life. Greetings rom Serbia. 🇷🇸
On holy saturday (may 4th) there will be 6 new members of the holy orthodox church. 3 baptism and 3 chrismations. Even our little parish is growing. Im one of the ones getting baptized.
I became Orthodox because the Orthodox Church found me, basically, I came with the boiler of the building that Fr Paul is now the priest of, over 30 years ago. I still think that Sts Peter and Paul is one of the most beautiful churches I have ever been in.
Try to show your wife history about Christianity what the apostles of Christ believe and what did the first Christians believe, how to read the Bible as the beginning of Christianity but also we have the church before the Bible came and about Easter orthodox I’m sure this will help a lot, but yes we want to see more coming home , I was born Roman Catholic but I’m also into process for orthodox 🙏☦️ .
@geoffvanmaastricht it's a spiritual battle. Father God, I pray for my dear brother Geoff. Glory to you, my Lord and Savior. Lord, have mercy on us 🙏 ☦️🙏
I appreciate the Antiochan Orthodox Church and others that have an approved Western Rite as an option. I love both this and the Eastern Liturgies… I believe the Western Rite is a way to bring hundreds of thousands who have departed their Protestant or Roman Catholic traditions into the fullness of worship and participation into the body of Christ. Great video father 🙏
I was born and raised in a Protestant environment. I was always forced to go to Church, and I became slowly afraid of God over time, due to some of the services at some of the very charismatic evangelical Churches we went to when I was a young boy. Around 13 I started having a lot of bad anxiety issues. I was afraid that He (God) would kill me if heretical or evil thoughts would enter my mind or if I couldn't control myself and said something blasphemous. I had an absolute fear of God, an unhealthy terror. I had terrible panic attacks in church, I'd run and hide in the church basement or wander around the neighborhood until it was over. I dreaded every Sunday. This led to me away from God at 17, and away from religion in general. I tried it all in the intervening years- pagan stuff, self-empowerment, other world religions, etc. None of it sated the hunger in me. I had a lot of anger directed towards religion and those fear mongers in those evangelical churches. Later, my wife and our family went through one hardship after another and I finally just gave up and cried out for God. I didn't even have faith so I didn't think he'd respond- but he did. Things improved, and during the 2020 COVID time, we were separated and isolated from most others. We studied the Bible and prayed a lot, and my love of History led me to a desire to find that thread of consistency in time going back to the beginning of the Church. Fast forward a few years, and I've learned a lot and grown in my faith, and I have learned quite a bit about Orthodoxy, and I am drawn to it like nothing I ever found in the Protestant denominations. I know the love of Christ now, and i'm not afraid anymore. I want the real thing this time around, and I want to belong to the Orthodox Church. Videos like yours and some others have been like a beacon to me. My wife was staunchly protestant, but even that now has started to change in her, as I've prayed to God to open her heart and mind to the Orthodox faith. I missed so much growing up, but I thank God for the journey. I hope to join Orthodox Church soon. Thank you Father Truebenbach, may God bless you and your Church always. -Ernest
@@yvoennsche Thank you for the information! We are fortunate that there are a few Orthodox Churches in our community, and I look forward to experiencing the Divine Liturgy. Happy to hear of your journey and your coming Chrismation!
I left the roman church last year and converted to the Orthodox Faith ☦️ I'm Colombian and many people wants to convert to the Orthodox faith but we don't have enought temples here 💒☦️
@@MatthewVideoProduction The whole point of the Nicene Creed is to provide the fundamentals of Christian belief. Protestants do not profess the creed except perhaps high church Anglicans and Lutherans, and if they do they make the same error as the Eastern Orthodox by changing the sense of what it means to be the one catholic church. So they actually deny the creed which is the very definition of proving that they are not Christian. some protestants have dodgy understandings of the Trinity which is the primary point of formulating the creed to address heresies of the day which opposed the doctrine of the Trinity. So I would say that most Protestants and Eastern Orthodox are NOT Christian.
@@peterj2226 The Nicene creed is a common believe between all branches of the church. What is written there is nothing more than summing up what a Christian believes when reading the whole Bible. The foundations of salvation are on believing on what is said there. Nothing new. Professing by reading those exact words or professing that daily in your testimony of faith can be done by any true Christians. Now about some doctrines, again, every branch church has some good and bad teachings, which we can discern when truly following Gods word. Many of every religion, including orthodox are not christians. It’s all about if the teachings you are receiving are align with Christ teachings and His apostles. The tendency of putting orthodoxy as the only way is completely erroneous behaviour. I admire the teachings of many orthodox bishops as I admire of Protestant pastors and catholic priests. Ive seen wrong in all branches, as expected, since we are human and of imperfect nature. The important is to have the centre message of salvation, the repentance, the relationship with the creator and the dedication to His word.
I love the Orthodox Church, i I never saw them forcing their believes on others , forcing conversions or going to hunt people for conversion. My husband wanted to convert and he had to put the work into it, and he was so surprised that the priest was not insisting or trying to convince him but just answered his questions and let God do the miracle..
That is so beautiful! The way it should be. While dating my now husband, he was Orthodox and I was Protestant. He was so patient and gently answered my questions while I argued and wasn’t so kind. This spoke volumes and made me more open to keep having conversations and to conduct my own research out of respect for him. I set out to make my list of why I wasn’t going to become Orthodox and am now thankfully married to him, an Orthodox Priest. God Bless your marriage. 🙏📿
I agree with you. I somehow understood that my kind of believing is very similar to Islam. As my brother heard of this, he arranged a meeting with an orthodox priest, as the priest heard my story he asked: - do you believe in one god? - of course! - do you pray? - yes. - continue it… I was amazed.
I converted to Orthodoxy about 8yrs ago. Before that, decades of faithful service as a worship leader in a charismatic non-denominational church. One thing that really stood out was, this feeling that something was wrong. Why was i there, what did i really believe and why, and what kept me loyal to that one church. It felt like 1 inch deep and a mile wide, based on social and emotional experiences. And then put prayer and Bible study with fellowship. I cannot speak any ill towards them. But i just couldn't get past that feeling that something was really missing. So very glad that i found Orthodoxy, because of all the things discussed in this video. Thank you Father for this video it really gives clarity to the question of Why.
Every single one of these videos has something that I didn't know I needed. Even if the title doesn't jump out at me, I watch and I'm always glad I did. Don't stop.
I think Catholicism is also regarded as being apostolic. Can you also say that Orthodoxy is the true one church or the true Catholic church as it needs to be in order to identify as the church spoken of in the creed as a necessary belief in order to be regarded as a Christian.
Please pray for me, for I am a sinner. I have been learning about Orthodoxy for almost 2 months, and my heart has softened to Christ's Church. It will be hard, but I am thankful for my fellow brothers and sisters. ☦
I’m becoming orthodox after being Catholic and trying Protestantism . Both are hopelessly lost in modernity. We need orthodoxy here in America. I’m also joining an antiochian parish.
@@oogaleeboogalee6522 I’m referring specifically to modernism, St Pius X called it “the sum of all heresies”. Not just some aesthetic preferences but the essence of the faith itself.
I converted technically in 2019 but was officially Christmated Pentecost Saturday 2020!! I too attend an Antiochian parish!! :). God Bless you on the journey brother! Christ is Risen!!
I recently converted, my parents are still Lutheran (my dad’s from Norway) but he’s become apathetic towards the Faith. I’m slowly talking to them about the majesty and revelation that Orthodoxy has brought to me, and I pray I’ll eventually bring them to my Church.
I became orthodox 11 years ago and never looked back. Loved what Fr. said about living daily repentance - such a great reminder, especially during lent.
I'm a Roman Catholic, but I have to Father Paul speaks very well and his message is very clear. Your church is very lucky to have a messenger like him!
@@drjanitor3747 The pope denys Christ victory on the cross documented fact from bowing to statues to to the worship of idols the Rcc fits the church of IDOL worship.
@@drjanitor3747 No thats from catholics that left the Rcc does not follow scripture nor the truth of Gods word they break the 1st commandment of idol worship which they removed In timothy we are told Christ is the mediator between God and man Rcc puts mary which is unscriptural and much more to many to list so your not saved your not born of the spirit .
@@drjanitor3747 Nope the Rcc is not scriptural its idol worship in timothy the mediator between God and man is Christ not mary the pope denys christ victory on the cross and much more .
@@anthonybernardo2214 Please come home. Rome excommunicated the rest of the Church to begin its own Way ... Rome teaches otherwise but, thank God, many are allowing Christ to bring their lives: hearts, minds, souls and bodies, home. Do whatever He tells you !! May Our Most Holy Theotokos and ever Virgin Mary pray for you, together with Sts Seraphim of Sarov, John of Shanghai and San Francisco, Sophrony of Essex, Gabriel of Georgia, Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia and all His Saints who are well pleasing unto Him.
As a convert from Non-Denom/Baptist Protestantism to Catholicism, let me say that we're noticing a similar trend. People want Tradition. They want liturgy and sacraments. They want apostolic Christianity. God bless Fr. Paul and all of you!
I converted to the Orthodox Faith last year i use to be roman catholic but now ☦️❤️🔥 i feel closer to Jesus real life than never before 🙏🏻 Χριστός Ανέστη ☦️
Probably the best of any priest I've heard. I am very interested in orthodoxy, but didn't know where to start. Now father suggested visiting a monastery. This message rang true to me.
@@hmkzosimaskrampis3185churches are nice but nothing like a monastery in terms of grace. Saint Paisios once said that a church is like a candle bringing divine light to our fallen society, but a monastery is like a lighthouse that covers an enormous area. Glory to God ❤
A while ago, I saw a video of a conversation between Fr. Paul and Matt Whitman, that was very edifying and fruitful. Fr. Paul, may God bless you and your ministry 😊
It's been about a year since I was introduced to Orthodoxy by Jonathan Pageau and Father Thruebenbach on Matt Whitman's channel. I'm having a difficult time getting myself together, but everything in my life is pointing to the Orthodox Church. I'm praying that I can keep going this direction.
@@drjanitor3747 I will watch it, thank you. I've checked into Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism and while I love Catholics and can't say for myself the true history, I'm really concerned with the Papacy and changes to doctrine. That said I'm in a much worse place than Catholics and Protestants following doctrines that I don't agree with, so my ears are open.
@@drjanitor3747Vatican Catholic? The fake monastery run by 2 brothers that deny the holocaust? Yeah I think I'd rather learn about Orthodoxy from the Orthodox
@@DoctorLazertronVatican Catholic are sedevacntists though. They support the untenable theological position that there is no Pope currently, which is incompatible with Vatican I. That particular video is very poorly researched too and has many false presuppositions Be careful what you watch from them.. From an Orthodox Christian
I'm Romanian and i am extremely happy to hear such great opinions and connections that he has with Romania, and it's very encouraging as I am also thinking of turning to Orthodoxy (currently protestant calvinist)
Thank you father, I was born in a catholic home originally from Middle East , then became Pentecostal but now , after visiting a monastery many times with the help of monks and fathers I am on my way to become orthodox, and yes visiting monastery when I was troubled in my personal life was the best thing, the love and humility of the fathers in the monastery introduced me to the true love of Christ, with God’s grace and prayers of the fathers I’m on my way to become an orthodox although in my heart I believe that I am an orthodox. Glory to God. And God bless you🙏☦️
I spent most of my Christian life in high church Lutheranism (LCMS). I appreciate much that they taught me. Lutherans are ripe for the harvest. Of all the Protestants they are going to have the easiest time transitioning (they believe in baptismal regeneration and the necessary of baptism, the real corporeal presence, liturgical and sacramental worship, etc).
Thank you for this video.🙏🏼 I was born and baptized into the catholic faith but raised Protestant. But for the last few years I have felt the Lord leading me towards the Orthodox Church, please pray for me and my family.
@edroseptic9442 So was I until I talked with my Priest who was a Lutheran Minister before Becoming Orthodox. Veneration is simply showing respect to the martyrs and great church fathers much the same way as you kiss a loved ones photograph. We do not worship them. Icons were often used to teach people about Biblical stories since books were rare and illiteracy was rampant. The reason they often look distorted is because they are not to be worshipped. They are simply windows to those who went before us. Reminders and those people are worthy of remembrance and respect. I was a staunch Calvinist for 33 years so you can imagine the arguments I had ready. Now that I understand, I love icons and learning about those they represent.
Excellent teachings, once again. Praise YHWH. I am being "called home"and my experience is just as you said..... I feel like I am experiencing the fullness of the church of Christ. Like the meat, and protestantism has been like milk. Praise God.
I am so happy that I had a chance to watch this video. I am Romanian Orthodox, living in Shenzhen, China. I have been twice in Salt Lake, but I only know a Greek Orthodox Church there and I was so happy to be there. In 2018 I’ve been there again and I heard about St.Peter and Paul church, but I didn’t have time to visit, I was there just for one week. I do hope I will have the chance to go again and for sure I will visit and meet Father Paul in person. Thank you so much for your clear explanation in your videos because many Chinese are eager to learn more about Orthodox Church.
I have been a protestant all my 18year life, after studying church history and having a catholic friend i feel a strong spiritual pull towards the orthodox faith. I will soon take a visit at my only local orthodox church that is a serbian orthodox church. I really hope they dont only have mass in serbian because i cant speak or understand serbian. I want to feel home in an orthodox church
Fr. Paul, I am an OCA priest and also a "recovering Lutheran." My Lutheran Sunday School teacher in high school took us to a GOA parish on a Sunday morning. It was ALL Greek in those days, and I had the same first impression you did.
Cure for Depression: 31:34 1.) Exercise for 30 min 2.) Clean or fix or repair or build something that you can see. 3.) Pray for 30 min 4.) Go do something meaningful for someone else. “You lived for Christ in prayer now go do something meaningful for your spouse or neighbor…”
I really enjoy your videos Fr. Paul. I love that God took your desire to be a speech writer and used your gifts in that area to serve Him as a priest. You have a way of communicating Truth in a clear and concise way that is both humble and loving.
Un-thrill yourself please. The creed says "I believe in Holy Apostolic Church" does it? No there are four visible marks identifying the true church not two. How can they argue that the dozens of Eastern Orthodox churches are "One" and in what sense are the Eastern Orthodox churches "Catholic"? Even if you miss one of the visible marks you have missed the mark and joined the wrong church. Joining the wrong church adds a layer of baggage to the soul, whereas if you just join the one true church in the first place you have the full complement of the graces of God from day one to help you along the path and not have to do any backtracking. Note: I don't think this will get a heart from Roots of Orthodoxy like your post got.
Of course you would Rome loves what ever method it can to deceive the jesuits must working over time with the antichrist pope eph 2 v8 For by grace are ye saved through faith and not of yourselves not of works lest any should boast destroys popery and Rcc into a million peaces the true faith of salvation by faith .
@@peterj2226We dont believe like that, we are ONE church with various jurisdictions. Roman Catholicism is full of heresy and I dont advice joining to papal cultist church.
I am Romanian and I live in Romania. Father Paul mentions holy priests from our country: Fr. Iustin Parvu, Fr. Cleopa Ilie, Fr. Gheorghe Calciu, Fr. Roman Braga. It is also father Arsenie Pacioc. All of them went through communist prisons in Romania. I am surprised that he knows so many of them. Glory to God for all! I wish you a blessed fast!
The Holy Synod of the Romanian Patriarchate decided to prepare the process of canonization of 12 priests and monks for the year 2025, when the Romanian Orthodox Church completes 140 years of autocephaly and 100 years since obtaining the status of patriarchy. Among them will be canonized and Fr. Dumitru Stăniloaie, Fr. Cleopa Ilie, Fr. Sofian Boghiu, Fr. Gerasim Iscu. Many Romanians have great reverence for Fr. Arsenie Boca.
I first saw Father Paul in a series of UA-cam videos done by Matt Whitman, who visits various denominations to learn about them. Father Paul is such a humble and wise man of God; he’s such an inspiration for those of us who who want to live a godly life.
I am coming back to following Christ after years of not putting him first. I have attended one service and am trying to learn about orthodoxy and hope to find a church to join in the future. This is an amazing message thank you for taking the time to make it and share it.
Pray for me please. I'm in between two different Christian traditions that speak to me, one of them is the Orthodox church. I have been Protestant, Pentecostal, my entire life and I have had a problem with it for years. I just need to decide and end this journey (of searching).
Thank you for this video. This is the priest at the church near me and this is the church I normally go to. And this video reminds me that I need to be in church more consistently.
Not all of us can pretend there is such an incompetent deity. Freud wrote the antidote to Christianity is literacy. Not everyone can pretend God made Mormons so Christians would know how Jews feel. If Jesus Christ had a competent God, then the Jews would be buying it, they settle for Moses, world's worst navigator, guiding the people of God as if progress can be made with one foot in fantasyland. We "know them by their works". They indoctrinate children with a fictional vocabulary & speak of signs. The only sign given is Jonah: Being outnumbered by a wicked generation of believers, was tossed overboard. Like a silly believer, he even asked for it. The Book of Jonah 11 Then they said to him, "What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?" For the sea grew more and more tempestuous. 12 He said to them, "Take me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will quite down for you; for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you." Rsv It is by faith Jonah was picked up and tossed overboard, being mindless, he asked for it.
So I am very interested in becoming orthodox. I was raised nondenominational Christian. i’m on fire for Christ. And I didn’t really know where to start with orthodoxy. I’ve been going to my parish for about a month it’s really cool but still confused. this guy breaks it down really well thank you.
Thank you for this one! I especially needed to hear Father's point about ideology. I'm an Orthodox inquirer that's trying to play catchup after being a lukewarm non-denom Christian for far too long. And I believe that I may have been going down the path toward that trap of ideology he mentioned in my studies. Again, thank you! 🙏☦
I'm a firefighter in NJ USA. I'm converting to Orthodoxy. Right now I find it hard to explain to others,why I am converting. I know in my head, but when I open my mouth I do not articulate it correctly. In fact , when I told a friend that I am trying to die to this world there was a look of puzzlement it's better to say nothing and just live accordingly. This is a blessing because if you really want to share and even evangelize it should be from how you live your life and how you love ... Not a bunch of words that just confuse. I'm working on it! God Bless
God bless you! Welcome home to the Church, dear brother! You have thought it out well 🙏☦️
Same with me. Just live a holy life, and good works.
Good on you , welcome brother. Live it and do by example. Let your actions pave their understanding.
Well said….. I was baptized & chrismated last Pascha season & had the same experience. Some of my family members think I am totally off now, especially my wife. Therefore, I stopped talking about Orthodoxy to them and do my best to live out my faith.
You are correct about that.
Born Serbian Orthodox and will die Serbian Orthodox. I was an atheist for a very long time but as I am getting older I have found myself being pulled by the divine and what I feel is in my blood! 🇷🇸☦️♥️
God bless you!
Same here sister❤️🇷🇸 God bless🙏🏼
God bless ☦️
Love to see it brother in christ. I was atheist until one night I said a prayer for a friend with 0 intention really behind it and immediately felt a rush of warmth almost as if I was given a hug and broke into tears amd it changed my entire outlook and life. I never cry by the way.
The contradiction in your comment not only is extremely obvious it also points out the problem with all the churches claiming "orthodoxy".
Converted to Orthodoxy after 22 years of Protestantism! My husband and our children and I will all be baptized this May! Thank you God! Please pray the rest of our extended family comes to the true church as well! Lord have mercy 🙏🏼☦️
Can you convert to a same religion ? True church is actually those who follow Christ and His commandments, and that’s not restricted to Orthodox Church. Although I really admire and watch a lot of orthodox teachings
God bless you.
Please don’t become like many orthodox (many, not all) that only thinks that Orthodoxy is the truth, like the orthodoxy is the way, the truth and the life, instead of Jesus alone.
God bless you!! I guess one major difference between what I am now and what I once was.. is humility. I really had to humble myself and realize it is not little old me who sets the parameters and definitions of truth. Truth is truth outside of my bias, outside of my feelings, outside of my thoughts, outside of my own personal beliefs or interpretations.
@MatthewVideoProduction😢
@@drjanitor3747 the true faith? According to who?
I am a Sikh, but through reading Dostoevsky (especially the words of Father Zossima from 'Brothers Karamazov'), then subsequently visiting Russia, I have the upmost love and respect for Orthodox Christianity. ❤
You should join us, we would welcome you if you chose to leave behind being Sikh.
Amen! Greeting from Romania
Read BK back in 1984: the passages about Fr Zossima changed my life and outlook on life for ever.
I have nothing but love and respect for the Sikh.
@@The_Cosmic_Navigator God bless you. Waheguru.
Glad to see many people becoming Orthodox, Greetings from Greece ☦️🇬🇷
Love Greece 🇬🇷☦️ Christiany wouldn't call Christianity without Greeks ❤️🔥
Χριστός Ανέστη
Orthowagg, so your Greek Church accepts homosexual marriages ? Are you glad ?
@@rayj.5792 The pupper government accepts that, not the church, but nice try lying. And by accepts I mean forced it down our throats because Mαcrοn's wet dream is to forced it on EU countries as much as possible, what better way to achieve that with ease than to threaten indebted countries.
@@rayj.5792 The church was and still is against homosexual marriage, like the majority of the people. But the government betrayed us by doing it.
@rayj.5792 You are liar ....Government accepts homosexual marriages not the Orthodox Church and Greek people
Father I’m also very close to joining the Orthodox Church with my family. To anyone reading my comment please pray for us.
I, your sister from the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church, pray for Jesus Christ, the lamp of life, to shine upon you and your family and embrace you.
May God direct the right path!!!
Lord, have mercy.
Kyrie Eleison
Gospodi pomiliyu
Duamne Milueste
Помаже Бог❤из Србије пишем Алекс.Ја ћу се молити за вас,да вам Бог осветли путеве и сиђе у срца ваша јер га тражите
I am Orthodox Christian and becoming Orthodox Christians is the best thong you can do.
Been to this church when I was traveling through Salt Lake City, beautiful liturgy. I am being received into the Orthodox church on Holy Saturday this year along with 20 other converts in Texas. I left the Baptist church for the Anglican church, but I always knew that was an in between step to the Orthodox church.
Glory to God!!!
That’s blessing
Welcome home
Orthodox in Texas +1 !
I want to move there for orthodoxy
I am Ethiopian🇪🇹 Orthodox Christian…I love you all my Orthodox brother and sister ❤❤❤
Not to be that guy, but Oriental Orthodox ≠ Eastern Orthodox.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is one of the eldest Churches and was founded from Apostle Philipp and a real African Church from the beginning! The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has a lot of traditions which are unique in the Christian World, they preserved a lot of ancient scriptures and they should be honored, all my love to my Ethiopian Orthodox Church brothers and sisters!❤❤❤
@@OrthoHoppean If people just put aside the word miaphisite and diphisite, and try to understand the what each churches meant to say, they could've been united. because the idea is the same but it is the language and the word they use to express is different
@@fase-man6355 I am not well-versed enough in theology to have a side. The point is that they are different and we shouldn't portray them as the same.
@@OrthoHoppean Yeah, that is why you are here saying that Ethiopians are not Orthodox. The thing is Ethiopian also call the eastern that they are heretics. But if you really understand the meaning, there is no difference.
My wife and I were baptized into the Orthodox Church last year. I was raised Church of Christ and eventually became Baptist and went to seminary…serving as a deacon and minister. Over time, I fell out of Protestantism and basically stopped going to church. I viewed what I saw going on in most churches as fake and, in many cases, downright heretical. But I also had my own issues with sin and worldliness that kept me away as well. It was during COVID that I began to explore the roots of my faith and Orthodoxy popped up…like a submarine surfacing out of nowhere to save me. I had never even considered it. However, with the help of our local priest, he answered our questions and loved us into becoming catechumens. We learned, and are still learning. After so many years, we have arrived home at the true church, and it is glorious!
The true Church according to Saint-Augustine or as he calls it " the Invisible Church" has no address , no particular name but englobes all those who really belong to Christ. Hope you are not deceived.
@@rayj.5792he is not deceived!! Please read his comment again and again...he said he FEELS home again!!
Well done❤
@@rayj.5792 But not all places where they worship Jesus have sound doctrine, and some of these places are actually completely heretical.
@@heroevulgar Of course, you are right. We need discernement and we have to distance ourselves from charlatans and prosperity Gospel "preachers " . However, Orthodox believers from Slavic countries and even from Greece when they hear us preaching Christ crucified calls us heretics, neo Christians, fanatics , and many other nice names ...and claim :" You got the Bible from us..." " You came out from the Roman Catholic Church, not from us.." There is also a certain degree of antisemitism in Orthodoxy and the tendency to adopt the " replacement theology" heresy. Finally, what matters is how the LORD evaluates our lives ,our ministries. The end is near. Shalom !
Seems a lot of us who grew up Lutherans become Orthodox. Love it.
It was everything he wanted the Roman Church to be. Idk why he didn't join himself
@silverecho1201 through my years of getting very involved into Lutheranism, it seemed like Luther's heart was trully in the right place, in the beginning. He loved Christ and the Latin Church.
But it also seemed like, when Rome rebutted him, his pride began to build because the common people looked up to him. He believed he was smarter than the rest and more faithful. I think he would have become Orthodox in the first beginning years. But as the years went by he got angrier at Rome to the point he had to create a new understanding of what the "church" is.
@@MajorMustang1117 Jonathan Pageau mentioned that in his opinion, if Luther had died in the beginning, he would have surely become recognized as a Saint by the Latin Church some years later.
@enzocompanbadillo5365 I agree. But I think there is a great lesson for all of us there. To always be humble, even when we believe we are correct.
Something that I had to learn, myself. I spent so much time researching and learning about Christianity that along the way I confused 'knowing' more about the Faith was the same as becoming more faithful.
My mind was on God, but my heart was far from him. So I would argue intellectually with others instead of being loving.
I almost became Lutheran but God brought me to Orthodoxy.
This guy is a treasure, im a new convert after 40 years of Protestantism. Im guilty of arguing online. This guy is a great balance!
Same for me. I had to repent of all the arguments I've been in online and in person over 3 decades. I used to take great joy in debating. It's such a blessing to be free of Protestantism and finally at home in Orthodoxy.
Is arguing online a sin?
If done in anger, pride, and a desire to 'show up' the other party, I would argue yes. Incidentally, I need to apologize to someone I was arguing with last night.
Update: Apology went well; they were very gracious about accepting it and clarifying their position.
Convert ❌ Revert ✅
Fr Paul is one of the reasons I'm Orthodox today and he has no idea lol. All because a video popped up of him on UA-cam like 3 years ago.
Glory to God!
When I returned to the True Church of Christ, The Orthodox Church and I entered and I felt tears I was touched by the Holy Spirit. Glory to The Father, and The Son, and The Holy Spirit, One God.
I left Protestantism after 24 years and became an Orthodox Christian in 2023. I found the one Church Christ built.
Welcome home, brother. Glory to God!
are you serious?
The same here. Glory to God!
Same for me after 33 years as a Calvinist and Protestant. I was baptized Holy Saturday of 2023. It was the best decision I ever made
@konstantinoskalemkeridis730 My church is growing incredibly fast and most are Protestants being baptized.
Just converted to orthodoxy this February after a long search for the church of Christ.
You poor thing! Didn’t you realize the Kingdom of God is within you? It’s not in bread, or a book, or a church.
Congratulations welcome to the family
@@jupiterinaries6150 You don't seem to understand Christianity or the Bible. "And I say that you are Peter, and upon this rock I shall BUILD MY CHURCH" (Matt 16:18). Stop following your true master, satan, who is guiding you by your own ego.
@@capone70 you are the deceived one. God is within you. God is in Nature, in Love, in the emptiness. You’ve been duped by your church to follow men. The Bible is a metaphor of the spirit world within. Just as God is infinite so also are biblical interpretations infinite. Remain in your dogmatic prison.
Congrats brother! 😻
Ex roman catholic (italian church) here
Now Orthodox ☦️ Jesus is the Truth and the ancient faith is now growing
Me too, The Orthodox Faith is the Ancient Faith ☦️❤️🔥
Ex orthodox from Romania
@@drjanitor3747 Yes it is, that's why is the only not blessing sodomite couples as romans and protestant western christians does
@@Bznpb1487
Ex Roman "catholic" here too now Orthodox ☦️
Ex unsaved now saved in a baptist church . Went to rc church for 20 years and got nothing spent a hour in a baptist church and was saved
There is a large number of Protestants and Catholics who are converting (including myself) to Orthodoxy. For myself it was because the western religious leaders are content to sit on their hands and the Catholic Church has completely abandoned all its faithful and openly supports this evil that has taken root. After I watched the Patriarch speak in Moscow I began researching Eastern Orthodoxy and decided to take the first step. I feel like my life has made a serious improvement after that choice was made.
I'm Colombian Orthodox 🇨🇴☦️
There are not much Orthodox temples in my country but many many people is telling me where they can find one cause they wanna become Orthodox ☦️🙏🏻
I can help you brother i know many orthodox from other south american countries as Chile and Argentina
Perdón, pero eso no tiene sentido. Colombia es un pais católico y logicamente hay bastantes iglesias católicas para asistir. En tu opinión ¿cuál es la diferencia y hecho "verdadero" del ortodoxismo que te atrae? Si fueras protestante eso sí es otra cosa. Pero a parte del aspecto de la liturgía (y eso también encontrarás en el catolicismo oriental) no veo una gran diferencia.
There are Orthodox churches in Bogota. For information about additional churches, please contact the Archbishop of Mexico, as the Church in Colombia falls under his authority.
@@capone70Здраво❤Одакле сте,из које земље?Ја сам из Србије,моји корени су оrtodox а ја сам постала исто кад сам одрасла.То је највећа част и највећа слобода али и велика одговорност...
@@capone70
Rome has adopted many innovations and heresies since they broke themselves off from Christ's Church.
I was born into a non practicing Greek Orthodox family. Then I left the church and became a Protestant after "giving my life to Christ", and now, 10 years later, I returned to the orthodox church by the Grace of God. Greetings from Germany.
Brother, so you consider " giving my life to Christ" was a mistake ? Remember Philippians 2:10-11
" 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. " I hope you will not be confused and ashamed , see you there, brother !
@@rayj.5792 As one who left Protestantism, I thought it was the answer when I first joined. Then, in 1985, I found the Orthodox Christian Church, as it is the First Church of the Holy Apostles. We give our lives to Christ everyday, and we even make a vow that we're even willing to suffer as Christ did. We know it could even cost us our lives, but in Christ, we have Life Eternal. There's no mistake about it! Glory to God! It's not a religion; it's the Way, the Truth and the Life, because Christ Himself said it. He is our Savior and redeemer, and He is the Resurrection. It also just so happens that God's Holy Word, which He is, still includes 10 books which were removed by the Protestants. I knew something was missing. Finally, there are so many truths we can learn about ourselves and each other in Christ Jesus, and there are so many more experiences we may not fully understand. This is because God's ways are not our ways just as He said, and we need to read the whole Word of God to fully recognize we know nothing without Christ!
I was received into His Church on April 5, 1987, and I'm still learning so much about myself and Him. The good news is that we really do begin to realize just how glorious God is in His Saints, because we are renewed in Him when we get out of our heads, and open our hearts to Him. As He said, we must become as little children. Children have no fear when they're young, and we learn to trust God and love Him more and more. Fear of punishment is replaced by a whole different fear; one that is based on knowledge, experience and obedience. We want to grow our relationship with Him and learn to serve others through Him in everything we do, and we no longer are bound by guilt or shame. We don't want ot lose our relationship with the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, because we've come to realize that there is so much more to His Way. He does for us what we can't do for ourselves, and He makes the seemingly impossible possible! We're bound by His Love, grace and mercy. I could go on and on, but I believe this is enough for now.
God bless!
@@rayj.5792 Unfortunately, I know a person like that. After being a Pentecoast Christian, and her and her husband studied Theology in Switzerland, she became Bulgarian Orthodox. That is what nowadays divorced from God Germanized (after being Hellenized) Christianity does to the souls of people!
But it is what we call to '...pour from empty into a hollow one..' in Bulgarian sayings language! All those are part of the Apostate Church pretending to be of the Christ! You need to go back to the Biblical roots of the Bible! And they are not Hellenistic but Jewish! There are so many differences between the translated Greek biblical texts and the Hebrew Gospels that show a shift to paganism in thought and action too! You are missing the goal, i.e. sinning and it is leading you astray!!!
So does your life still belong to Christ or to the Orthodox church?
@@nyagolnyagolov7130 So I wrote somewhere in this discussion that a Jew led ne to the Lord Jesus Christ and baptized me in water by immersion. See, I will never kiss icons and statues. I will never kiss a priest' s hand. I bow down only to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ...
we are Orthodoxy from Ethiopia Africa and we love you...
Οthodox or Coptic church? Because coptic is heresy!
@@ΧρυσοβαλάντηςΒ-ε5δwhat do you know about Coptic church to say it's heresy ?
What's the difference between oriantal and Eastern chruch ?
I seek my place within orthodoxy.
I pray God will guide me.
Amazing speech, father Paul! There's no such thing as spending some time in an Orthodoxy monastery, it changes the whole perspective of life. Greetings rom Serbia. 🇷🇸
I m protestant Christian from pakistan 🇵🇰 please remember pakistani Christiani in your prayers in christ ✝️
I'm a protestant believer in Macedonia. Praying for you brother!
The Orthodox Church prays for all Christians every liturgy….
@@andyontheinternet5777 praise the lord 🙏 God bless all Christians.. May God protect Christianity 🙌 🙌
@@steve8170 praise the lord 🙏 may God protect us... Thank you brother in Jesus christ ✝️
God bless you! Greetings from Romania
On holy saturday (may 4th) there will be 6 new members of the holy orthodox church. 3 baptism and 3 chrismations. Even our little parish is growing. Im one of the ones getting baptized.
I became Orthodox because the Orthodox Church found me, basically, I came with the boiler of the building that Fr Paul is now the priest of, over 30 years ago. I still think that Sts Peter and Paul is one of the most beautiful churches I have ever been in.
На Церковь Петра и Павла в Казани взгляните, тоже понравиться
My wife Cathy is against Orthodoxy. Please pray for us. I desire to be Orthodox. Glory to God 🙏 ☦️
Try to show your wife history about Christianity what the apostles of Christ believe and what did the first Christians believe, how to read the Bible as the beginning of Christianity but also we have the church before the Bible came and about Easter orthodox I’m sure this will help a lot, but yes we want to see more coming home , I was born Roman Catholic but I’m also into process for orthodox 🙏☦️ .
🙏
I'm in the same boat, Daniel. ☦
@geoffvanmaastricht it's a spiritual battle. Father God, I pray for my dear brother Geoff. Glory to you, my Lord and Savior. Lord, have mercy on us 🙏 ☦️🙏
Get into the church and stay away from Protestant churches she will follow eventually
I appreciate the Antiochan Orthodox Church and others that have an approved Western Rite as an option. I love both this and the Eastern Liturgies… I believe the Western Rite is a way to bring hundreds of thousands who have departed their Protestant or Roman Catholic traditions into the fullness of worship and participation into the body of Christ. Great video father 🙏
I have just started attending Orthodox services. I hope to become Orthodox in about year.
My heart rejoice of so many people in the Western world becoming Orthodox🙏 greetings from an Romanian Orthodox ❤
Hristos Vaskrse to everybody! Greetings from Serbia.
I was born and raised in a Protestant environment. I was always forced to go to Church, and I became slowly afraid of God over time, due to some of the services at some of the very charismatic evangelical Churches we went to when I was a young boy. Around 13 I started having a lot of bad anxiety issues. I was afraid that He (God) would kill me if heretical or evil thoughts would enter my mind or if I couldn't control myself and said something blasphemous. I had an absolute fear of God, an unhealthy terror. I had terrible panic attacks in church, I'd run and hide in the church basement or wander around the neighborhood until it was over. I dreaded every Sunday. This led to me away from God at 17, and away from religion in general. I tried it all in the intervening years- pagan stuff, self-empowerment, other world religions, etc. None of it sated the hunger in me. I had a lot of anger directed towards religion and those fear mongers in those evangelical churches. Later, my wife and our family went through one hardship after another and I finally just gave up and cried out for God. I didn't even have faith so I didn't think he'd respond- but he did. Things improved, and during the 2020 COVID time, we were separated and isolated from most others. We studied the Bible and prayed a lot, and my love of History led me to a desire to find that thread of consistency in time going back to the beginning of the Church. Fast forward a few years, and I've learned a lot and grown in my faith, and I have learned quite a bit about Orthodoxy, and I am drawn to it like nothing I ever found in the Protestant denominations. I know the love of Christ now, and i'm not afraid anymore. I want the real thing this time around, and I want to belong to the Orthodox Church. Videos like yours and some others have been like a beacon to me. My wife was staunchly protestant, but even that now has started to change in her, as I've prayed to God to open her heart and mind to the Orthodox faith. I missed so much growing up, but I thank God for the journey. I hope to join Orthodox Church soon. Thank you Father Truebenbach, may God bless you and your Church always. -Ernest
Go to a Divine Liturgy, I recommend an Antiochian Church. I did last year and became a catechumen and will be chrismated this Holy Saturday.
@@yvoennsche Thank you for the information! We are fortunate that there are a few Orthodox Churches in our community, and I look forward to experiencing the Divine Liturgy. Happy to hear of your journey and your coming Chrismation!
Thank you for sharing your story. Glory to God!!
God loves you and led you home. Its your turn now to go ahead and unlock the door. Glory to God brother ❤
Glory to God! Greetings from Romania
I left the roman church last year and converted to the Orthodox Faith ☦️
I'm Colombian and many people wants to convert to the Orthodox faith but we don't have enought temples here 💒☦️
Invite a priest and build one
So why are South American Catholics leaving in droves and becoming protestant and not Orthodox? Any clues Fr. Paul?
Both are Christian’s tho. But God bless you
@@MatthewVideoProduction The whole point of the Nicene Creed is to provide the fundamentals of Christian belief. Protestants do not profess the creed except perhaps high church Anglicans and Lutherans, and if they do they make the same error as the Eastern Orthodox by changing the sense of what it means to be the one catholic church. So they actually deny the creed which is the very definition of proving that they are not Christian. some protestants have dodgy understandings of the Trinity which is the primary point of formulating the creed to address heresies of the day which opposed the doctrine of the Trinity. So I would say that most Protestants and Eastern Orthodox are NOT Christian.
@@peterj2226 The Nicene creed is a common believe between all branches of the church. What is written there is nothing more than summing up what a Christian believes when reading the whole Bible. The foundations of salvation are on believing on what is said there. Nothing new. Professing by reading those exact words or professing that daily in your testimony of faith can be done by any true Christians. Now about some doctrines, again, every branch church has some good and bad teachings, which we can discern when truly following Gods word. Many of every religion, including orthodox are not christians. It’s all about if the teachings you are receiving are align with Christ teachings and His apostles.
The tendency of putting orthodoxy as the only way is completely erroneous behaviour. I admire the teachings of many orthodox bishops as I admire of Protestant pastors and catholic priests.
Ive seen wrong in all branches, as expected, since we are human and of imperfect nature. The important is to have the centre message of salvation, the repentance, the relationship with the creator and the dedication to His word.
I love the Orthodox Church, i I never saw them forcing their believes on others , forcing conversions or going to hunt people for conversion. My husband wanted to convert and he had to put the work into it, and he was so surprised that the priest was not insisting or trying to convince him but just answered his questions and let God do the miracle..
God calls on you to evangelize.
@@johnsambo9379 Go do It.
That is so beautiful! The way it should be. While dating my now husband, he was Orthodox and I was Protestant. He was so patient and gently answered my questions while I argued and wasn’t so kind. This spoke volumes and made me more open to keep having conversations and to conduct my own research out of respect for him. I set out to make my list of why I wasn’t going to become Orthodox and am now thankfully married to him, an Orthodox Priest. God Bless your marriage. 🙏📿
Glory to God! Greetings from Romania
I agree with you. I somehow understood that my kind of believing is very similar to Islam. As my brother heard of this, he arranged a meeting with an orthodox priest, as the priest heard my story he asked:
- do you believe in one god?
- of course!
- do you pray?
- yes.
- continue it…
I was amazed.
I converted to Orthodoxy about 8yrs ago. Before that, decades of faithful service as a worship leader in a charismatic non-denominational church. One thing that really stood out was, this feeling that something was wrong. Why was i there, what did i really believe and why, and what kept me loyal to that one church. It felt like 1 inch deep and a mile wide, based on social and emotional experiences. And then put prayer and Bible study with fellowship. I cannot speak any ill towards them. But i just couldn't get past that feeling that something was really missing. So very glad that i found Orthodoxy, because of all the things discussed in this video. Thank you Father for this video it really gives clarity to the question of Why.
Brother you didn't convert. You simply found the way.
Every single one of these videos has something that I didn't know I needed. Even if the title doesn't jump out at me, I watch and I'm always glad I did. Don't stop.
Same here😃🙏🏻☦️
Thank you so much for this video. I am a Catechumen raised Protestant. Orthodoxy is the true apostolic church.
I think Catholicism is also regarded as being apostolic. Can you also say that Orthodoxy is the true one church or the true Catholic church as it needs to be in order to identify as the church spoken of in the creed as a necessary belief in order to be regarded as a Christian.
TLM Catholic but converting to Orthodoxy. ❤ so glad God has led me to this place. ❤❤
Welcome home!! Christ is Risen!
Please pray for me, for I am a sinner. I have been learning about Orthodoxy for almost 2 months, and my heart has softened to Christ's Church. It will be hard, but I am thankful for my fellow brothers and sisters. ☦
Није тешко.Полако,с љубављу❤.Даће Бог,Србија
May God bless you and help you find the way to your salvation. ☦
I’m becoming orthodox after being Catholic and trying Protestantism . Both are hopelessly lost in modernity. We need orthodoxy here in America. I’m also joining an antiochian parish.
Modernity may be a reason to flee from a church, but the reason you go to a church should always be to find Christ
@@oogaleeboogalee6522 I’m referring specifically to modernism, St Pius X called it “the sum of all heresies”. Not just some aesthetic preferences but the essence of the faith itself.
I converted technically in 2019 but was officially Christmated Pentecost Saturday 2020!! I too attend an Antiochian parish!! :).
God Bless you on the journey brother! Christ is Risen!!
I'm from Ethiopia God bless you our Lord Jesus Christ source of love
Fr. Paul is an excellent priest. Sending brotherly love from Czechia.
My patron saint is Saint Gorazd of Prague God bless your country
@@kkr6es Thank you so much! We need your prayers here.
@@kkr6esVladyka Gorazd is my patron too! May God bless and enlighten the Czechs!
I’m 19 and Protestant and I’m considering becoming orthodox ☦️❤️
Поздрав,Србија❤
Man, this guy is speaking with a wisdom, and clarity, and humility that only God can provide. This was profound and immensely informative. Thank you🙏🏽
I recently converted, my parents are still Lutheran (my dad’s from Norway) but he’s become apathetic towards the Faith. I’m slowly talking to them about the majesty and revelation that Orthodoxy has brought to me, and I pray I’ll eventually bring them to my Church.
I became orthodox 11 years ago and never looked back. Loved what Fr. said about living daily repentance - such a great reminder, especially during lent.
Ευχαριστούμε Πατέρα Παύλε! Ευλογείτε, με αγάπη χαιρετισμούς από την όμορφη Θεσσαλονίκη Ελλάδα ❤
Bedankt
Thank you so much! God bless you 🙏☦️
I'm a Roman Catholic, but I have to Father Paul speaks very well and his message is very clear. Your church is very lucky to have a messenger like him!
Christ said call no man your father.
@@drjanitor3747 The pope denys Christ victory on the cross documented fact from bowing to statues to to the worship of idols the Rcc fits the church of IDOL worship.
@@drjanitor3747 No thats from catholics that left the Rcc does not follow scripture nor the truth of Gods word they break the 1st commandment of idol worship which they removed In timothy we are told Christ is the mediator between God and man Rcc puts mary which is unscriptural and much more to many to list so your not saved your not born of the spirit .
@@drjanitor3747 Nope the Rcc is not scriptural its idol worship in timothy the mediator between God and man is Christ not mary the pope denys christ victory on the cross and much more .
@@anthonybernardo2214 Please come home.
Rome excommunicated the rest of the Church to begin its own Way ... Rome teaches otherwise but, thank God, many are allowing Christ to bring their lives: hearts, minds, souls and bodies, home.
Do whatever He tells you !! May Our Most Holy Theotokos and ever Virgin Mary pray for you, together with Sts Seraphim of Sarov, John of Shanghai and San Francisco, Sophrony of Essex, Gabriel of Georgia, Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia and all His Saints who are well pleasing unto Him.
As a convert from Non-Denom/Baptist Protestantism to Catholicism, let me say that we're noticing a similar trend. People want Tradition. They want liturgy and sacraments. They want apostolic Christianity. God bless Fr. Paul and all of you!
I was catholic at a stage when I wanted to become atheist but I found Christ in orthodoxy
God loves you brother. I wish you the best in your spiritual life.
Im so blessed to see all of us that are returning to Christ's church
I converted to the Orthodox Faith last year i use to be roman catholic but now ☦️❤️🔥 i feel closer to Jesus real life than never before 🙏🏻
Χριστός Ανέστη ☦️
Probably the best of any priest I've heard. I am very interested in orthodoxy, but didn't know where to start. Now father suggested visiting a monastery. This message rang true to me.
Visit all your local Orthodox churches as well.
@@hmkzosimaskrampis3185churches are nice but nothing like a monastery in terms of grace. Saint Paisios once said that a church is like a candle bringing divine light to our fallen society, but a monastery is like a lighthouse that covers an enormous area. Glory to God ❤
A while ago, I saw a video of a conversation between Fr. Paul and Matt Whitman, that was very edifying and fruitful. Fr. Paul, may God bless you and your ministry 😊
I'm fairly keen on Father Truebenbach. He's thought provoking & yet somehow relatable
It's been about a year since I was introduced to Orthodoxy by Jonathan Pageau and Father Thruebenbach on Matt Whitman's channel. I'm having a difficult time getting myself together, but everything in my life is pointing to the Orthodox Church. I'm praying that I can keep going this direction.
@@drjanitor3747 I will watch it, thank you. I've checked into Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism and while I love Catholics and can't say for myself the true history, I'm really concerned with the Papacy and changes to doctrine. That said I'm in a much worse place than Catholics and Protestants following doctrines that I don't agree with, so my ears are open.
@@drjanitor3747Vatican Catholic? The fake monastery run by 2 brothers that deny the holocaust? Yeah I think I'd rather learn about Orthodoxy from the Orthodox
@@DoctorLazertronVatican Catholic are sedevacntists though. They support the untenable theological position that there is no Pope currently, which is incompatible with Vatican I. That particular video is very poorly researched too and has many false presuppositions
Be careful what you watch from them.. From an Orthodox Christian
I'm Romanian and i am extremely happy to hear such great opinions and connections that he has with Romania, and it's very encouraging as I am also thinking of turning to Orthodoxy (currently protestant calvinist)
Thank you father, I was born in a catholic home originally from Middle East , then became Pentecostal but now , after visiting a monastery many times with the help of monks and fathers I am on my way to become orthodox, and yes visiting monastery when I was troubled in my personal life was the best thing, the love and humility of the fathers in the monastery introduced me to the true love of Christ, with God’s grace and prayers of the fathers I’m on my way to become an orthodox although in my heart I believe that I am an orthodox. Glory to God. And God bless you🙏☦️
I spent most of my Christian life in high church Lutheranism (LCMS). I appreciate much that they taught me. Lutherans are ripe for the harvest. Of all the Protestants they are going to have the easiest time transitioning (they believe in baptismal regeneration and the necessary of baptism, the real corporeal presence, liturgical and sacramental worship, etc).
Lutherans are basically like catholics very ritualistic a lot of lutheran churches nowadays support LGBTQ as well
Love from georgia 🇬🇪☦️
Дивни људи❤Србија,Свети Гаврило Грузијски и Света Нина,равноапостолна...
Καλή σαρακοστή και καλό πάσχα. 🕊️ Ευχαριστώ.
This Father would make an ideal bishop.
Thank you for this video.🙏🏼 I was born and baptized into the catholic faith but raised Protestant. But for the last few years I have felt the Lord leading me towards the Orthodox Church, please pray for me and my family.
Same with me!
I was quite curious for a while but I am skeptical about the veneration practices.
@edroseptic9442 So was I until I talked with my Priest who was a Lutheran Minister before Becoming Orthodox. Veneration is simply showing respect to the martyrs and great church fathers much the same way as you kiss a loved ones photograph. We do not worship them. Icons were often used to teach people about Biblical stories since books were rare and illiteracy was rampant. The reason they often look distorted is because they are not to be worshipped. They are simply windows to those who went before us. Reminders and those people are worthy of remembrance and respect. I was a staunch Calvinist for 33 years so you can imagine the arguments I had ready. Now that I understand, I love icons and learning about those they represent.
Icon is greek word and meant Picture@@edroseptic9442
Excellent teachings, once again. Praise YHWH. I am being "called home"and my experience is just as you said..... I feel like I am experiencing the fullness of the church of Christ. Like the meat, and protestantism has been like milk. Praise God.
Very inspiring footage!!🙏
I am from Romania and know about father Ilie Cleopa, Ghe. Calciu, Iustin Parvu.
Great servants of God, with holly lives.
I am so happy that I had a chance to watch this video. I am Romanian Orthodox, living in Shenzhen, China. I have been twice in Salt Lake, but I only know a Greek Orthodox Church there and I was so happy to be there. In 2018 I’ve been there again and I heard about St.Peter and Paul church, but I didn’t have time to visit, I was there just for one week.
I do hope I will have the chance to go again and for sure I will visit and meet Father Paul in person. Thank you so much for your clear explanation in your videos because many Chinese are eager to learn more about Orthodox Church.
Greetings from Romania. Glad to see Orthodoxy in The US.
Absolutely fantastic video. I am blessed to have this man as my priest. 🙏
This priest is the reason I learned about Orthodoxy and I will forever be grateful for him
If I get to heaven, it will in large part be thanks to him
We are being brought into the Church on Holy Saturday. ❤ so excited!
Same here : )
Glad to see the word of truth is coming to your hearts!
Greetings from Bulgaria! 🇧🇬 ❤☦
Fr. Paul is great, his church is beautiful
My Greetings to my Orthodox brothers in JESUS in the world.
I have been a protestant all my 18year life, after studying church history and having a catholic friend i feel a strong spiritual pull towards the orthodox faith. I will soon take a visit at my only local orthodox church that is a serbian orthodox church. I really hope they dont only have mass in serbian because i cant speak or understand serbian. I want to feel home in an orthodox church
Thank you my beloved Orthodox Christian Church. God bless you.
Thanks god who show me the road to the orthodox faith,orthodox church!
Fr. Paul, I am an OCA priest and also a "recovering Lutheran." My Lutheran Sunday School teacher in high school took us to a GOA parish on a Sunday morning. It was ALL Greek in those days, and I had the same first impression you did.
I agree 100% which is why I was drawn to orthodoxy.
Cure for Depression: 31:34
1.) Exercise for 30 min
2.) Clean or fix or repair or build something that you can see.
3.) Pray for 30 min
4.) Go do something meaningful for someone else. “You lived for Christ in prayer now go do something meaningful for your spouse or neighbor…”
I'm Protestant, but he is quite well-spoken, and his words ring true.
Orthodox Christian from Ethiopia 🥰.
I really enjoy your videos Fr. Paul. I love that God took your desire to be a speech writer and used your gifts in that area to serve Him as a priest. You have a way of communicating Truth in a clear and concise way that is both humble and loving.
As a Catholic of course I am thrilled that so many converts to Apostolic Christianity. ❤️
Un-thrill yourself please. The creed says "I believe in Holy Apostolic Church" does it? No there are four visible marks identifying the true church not two. How can they argue that the dozens of Eastern Orthodox churches are "One" and in what sense are the Eastern Orthodox churches "Catholic"? Even if you miss one of the visible marks you have missed the mark and joined the wrong church. Joining the wrong church adds a layer of baggage to the soul, whereas if you just join the one true church in the first place you have the full complement of the graces of God from day one to help you along the path and not have to do any backtracking. Note: I don't think this will get a heart from Roots of Orthodoxy like your post got.
Of course you would Rome loves what ever method it can to deceive the jesuits must working over time with the antichrist pope eph 2 v8 For by grace are ye saved through faith and not of yourselves not of works lest any should boast destroys popery and Rcc into a million peaces the true faith of salvation by faith .
Really rome will do anything to deceive anyone the Rcc isnt even christian but pagan in origin
@@peterj2226We dont believe like that, we are ONE church with various jurisdictions. Roman Catholicism is full of heresy and I dont advice joining to papal cultist church.
@@drjanitor3747 Rcc is not even of the truth .
I am Romanian and I live in Romania. Father Paul mentions holy priests from our country: Fr. Iustin Parvu, Fr. Cleopa Ilie, Fr. Gheorghe Calciu, Fr. Roman Braga. It is also father Arsenie Pacioc. All of them went through communist prisons in Romania. I am surprised that he knows so many of them.
Glory to God for all!
I wish you a blessed fast!
During my Catechism I was able to interact with a Romanian Priest who was a student of Fr. Arsenie Boca and Blessed Father Dimitri Stanisloe.
The Holy Synod of the Romanian Patriarchate decided to prepare the process of canonization of 12 priests and monks for the year 2025, when the Romanian Orthodox Church completes 140 years of autocephaly and 100 years since obtaining the status of patriarchy. Among them will be canonized and Fr. Dumitru Stăniloaie, Fr. Cleopa Ilie, Fr. Sofian Boghiu, Fr. Gerasim Iscu.
Many Romanians have great reverence for Fr. Arsenie Boca.
His wife is Romanian, so he knows the Romanian saints very well.
Познати су онима који траже истину,Србија❤
I first saw Father Paul in a series of UA-cam videos done by Matt Whitman, who visits various denominations to learn about them. Father Paul is such a humble and wise man of God; he’s such an inspiration for those of us who who want to live a godly life.
I loved his point about removing the log from your own eye before you tweet about the mote in your brother's.
What a great video. Totally humbling. This is major confirmation for me for something bothering me since yesterday. Thank you for sharing wisdom.
I am coming back to following Christ after years of not putting him first. I have attended one service and am trying to learn about orthodoxy and hope to find a church to join in the future. This is an amazing message thank you for taking the time to make it and share it.
Browsing the channel as an inquirer and see this, watching now, thanks! Perfect timing.
Pray for me please. I'm in between two different Christian traditions that speak to me, one of them is the Orthodox church. I have been Protestant, Pentecostal, my entire life and I have had a problem with it for years. I just need to decide and end this journey (of searching).
Orthodoxy isn't an end to a Journey. It is the beginning of the True Journey towards God’s Throne.
Youll figure it out. My prayer lately is to know clearly gods will for me. Its a prayer i believe always gets answered.
@@alexlight4178 Thanks
That was my experience as well. Left the evangelical/pentecostal style church 5 years ago, now 3 years into my journey as an Orthodox Christian. 🙏
@@osbujeff1 That's awesome. God Bless.
Blessings to all those that start their walk on the orthodox path. God be with you always!💜🙏
14:22 I really needed to hear this. Thank you
I didn't realize he had his own channel, this is great!!
This channel has become my favorite Orthodox Christian channel. Thank you so much for your efforts.
Same my brother!
Thank you for this video. This is the priest at the church near me and this is the church I normally go to. And this video reminds me that I need to be in church more consistently.
Wow, a lot of wisdom in this that I have desperately needed. Thank you Father Paul.
Not all of us can pretend there is such an incompetent deity. Freud wrote the antidote to Christianity is literacy.
Not everyone can pretend God made Mormons so Christians would know how Jews feel. If Jesus Christ had a competent God, then the Jews would be buying it, they settle for Moses, world's worst navigator, guiding the people of God as if progress can be made with one foot in fantasyland.
We "know them by their works". They indoctrinate children with a fictional vocabulary & speak of signs. The only sign given is Jonah: Being outnumbered by a wicked generation of believers, was tossed overboard. Like a silly believer, he even asked for it.
The Book of Jonah
11 Then they said to him, "What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?"
For the sea grew more and more tempestuous.
12 He said to them, "Take me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will quite down for you; for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you." Rsv
It is by faith Jonah was picked up and tossed overboard, being mindless, he asked for it.
Your blessings Father Paul.
thank God for all our converted brothers and sister! Thank God for everyone!! May Christ light our way! Cristos Anesti!!!! 🇬🇷
So I am very interested in becoming orthodox. I was raised nondenominational Christian. i’m on fire for Christ. And I didn’t really know where to start with orthodoxy. I’ve been going to my parish for about a month it’s really cool but still confused. this guy breaks it down really well thank you.
Thank you for this one! I especially needed to hear Father's point about ideology. I'm an Orthodox inquirer that's trying to play catchup after being a lukewarm non-denom Christian for far too long. And I believe that I may have been going down the path toward that trap of ideology he mentioned in my studies. Again, thank you! 🙏☦
Bro we all playing catchup