Father, do you have books about the demonic ?. Our culture, TV, the media and its sorcery?. Poltergeist?, possessions?. WE need this topic now more then ever. I have all Your books, at the moment finishing up “The UFO deception” thank You for all you do. with Love in Christ.
Father nothing Jesus say is not happening I just finished reading Joseph Smith vision 150 years ago and he's not the only one You're right people need to repent we are living in the last days God bless you he will keep you safe till the end 🙏♥️
@@hendersonshuntinglodge1207 Hi i dont know about them but Jesus spoke about people being called rabbi or father or master and putting themselves above others that way, thats what my understanding is, he says it very clearly, so dont call yourself or anyone else your (spiritual) father unless its God or your parent father, this man on this channel should not call himself father according to the bible and you should not either. But the best thing for you is to read matthew chapter 23 for yourself, its pretty clear what he explaines i think.
I've been 20 years a pagan, and in my search for Christ when I hear these words, I weep. I go to an Orthodox Mission this Sunday and humble myself before Jesus and the Cross.
I’ve been pagan for about 5 years, mainly Norse and left hand path. It’s been a hard transition for me. Working with demons is not an easy change over. Feels like it gets more difficult the closer to Jesus I wanna get. Some I’m finding myself slipping further away.
I’ll be honest. I’ve only recently been learning about Orthodoxy the past 6 months or so. I’ve started reading The Orthodox Way and have gotten an Orthodox study Bible too. I’ve watched a few of your videos and have found some great wisdom from them, so thank you for that. I am still attending my non-denominational church along with my wife and kids but I have also gone to some vespers services at a local Orthodox Church. I’m wrestling with a lot of things and the topic of this video is one of them. Ultimately my hope is to be amongst one of the few. However, I understand the reality that I could deceive myself or be deceived and not enter into the Kingdom. And if I don’t end up in the Kingdom, then I will at the very least be one of the many weeping in Hell. I ask for anyone reading this to pray for both me and my family. I will continue to learn more about Orthodoxy and attend more services/liturgies. As I’ve come to find out I continue to learn more about the faith from actually participating in the vespers services. May the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have mercy on us all.
Praying! I understand, my story is very similar, and it took me 12 years to get up the nerve to go to a Divine Liturgy. Praise God I found Holy Orthodoxy, I hope your family gets the chance to attend some services together soon; taste and see!
Christ also said that the kingdom is now and it is in our hearts, as much as it is a place in the future. Don’t focus on getting the reward for yourself, focus instead on being the reward to others. And most of all, don’t listen to a word I said. Pray that God will provide you with an Orthodox Spiritual Father. Take it slowly my friend. Orthodoxy is a patient faith.
God bless and keep you on your journey, brother. Take it in small manageable bites as much as you can, not everything will make sense or resonate right off the bat. It's a transformation, it's a process... keep your heart open, you and yours are on my daily commemoration list, though my prayers are unworthy.
I also recently left protestantism to become Orthodox. I left my former church, informing the pastor whom I love and respect that I was going to attend an Orthodox church to inquire about the Orthodox faith. I attended my new parish for a year before I decided to become a catechumen, and I will remain a catechumen until my priest decides its time. I am 68 yrs old but I am willing to wait and learn. There are many years of unlearning for me. I recommend you make the leap and you & your family start attending only the Orthodox church services as an inquirer. The back and forth between the two doesn't seem helpful.
Everyone who has responded, thank you. It means a lot to me to hear wisdom from each of you and about your journeys to Orthodoxy. For those who said a prayer for me and my family I thank you. May the Lord bless each of you and have mercy on us all.
The hyper-charismatics and evangelicals I know actually go one step further and believe when Jesus said "ye are gods", He meant just that! So when the bible says we're created in the image of God, they believe that means we were created "perfect" and are still "perfect", that we should all be "healed" of pain and suffering, and that we're all supposed to be filled with "Holy Spirit fire" to manifest the power of God on Earth. "Jesus did it all for us!! Don't strive so hard! Stop thinking about sin! We are saved by faith alone!!" is their gospel. I call it the "lazy man's gospel".
says the man wearing a robe and a little pope hat. is the irony lost? i respect and appreciate much of what this man says. i do not follow/understand his defense of Orthodox exclusivity to salvation by lineage of Church fathers. the disciples barely grasped what Jesus was saying when he was saying it. The Holy Spirit may have revealed to them, later, in full what was meant by Jesus' words, but where does the idea come from that only the disciples could receive the Holy Spirit?
My Orthodox faith is my true joy, and my treasure chest, the light of my life. Everyday, I discover a brighter jewel than the one before, from church, reading the Bible, and from listening to everything Orthodox from Devote people like you, Fr. Spyridon. May God bless and keep you and all you’re doing, in His loving care ☦️❤️🕊🦚
@☆ Get feelings ☆ I cannot convert from the faith of my father. I dearly love pope Francis and his teachings. Orthodoxy is okay but many people I have come across online especially from USA are the most prideful humans. I detest whoever catechises them. But when I find wisdom like this priest, I open my heart to his teaching.
@@Beatrice.Ndungu "If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" ~1 John 4:20
@☆ Get feelings ☆ No thank you. I cannot convert. I love my faith and the richness there is in RCC. Let us all imitate Christ in whichever we faith we are in. Noone is far superior to the other.
@@Beatrice.Ndungu Amen. I’m Catholic too, and the fact that you and I can agree with Father in his videos (other than when he says Orthodoxy is the only true Church) shows that we do still have the same faith he does.
@@bethanyann1060 indeed. We read from the same script of many Church Fathers and we agree 99.9% the remainder is left to the blemished members of the body of Christ.
Please pray for my husband, our two kids, and me. We are on the Orthodox journey. After many years in a myriad of Protestant churches, we decided to become Catechumens, but sometimes there is still fear and confusion. We have a great priest teaching us, though. I struggle with the Protestant themes of praying to saints being wrong, even though I grew up Catholic. Also the prosperity gospel can still be a thing with some Orthodox believers. I'm not sure what we need, but prayers are appreciated. My family also needs salvation. God bless you all. Thank you, Father, for the wake-up call preaching. We don't know when we will die.
The entire message of the Bible is JESUS CHRIST. His overwhelming sacrifice and love makes anything else obsolete. Never in scripture are saints to be glorified. In fact, true followers of Christ are called saints biblically
I am also from a clan of Catholics. But remember, If I pray to dead saints and give them glory and AM WRONG, then I have EVERYTHING to lose because it equates as idolatry. But If I worship and pray to God and Christ, then I have everything to gain and nothing to lose. Honor saints but do not pray to them.
@@ethanacevedo6374 The history of the thousands of different Protestant faiths has been constant change, modification and accommodation reflecting current permissive social preferences, like same-sex marriage and the prosperity gospel of mega-churches. In the Protestant churches I once belonged to, the minister felt free to expound on political matters, even to the point of advocating specific political candidates (in violation of the law). Meanwhile, literally anyone could walk off the street into the church and participate in the Holy Communion. Conversely, the Orthodox Church strives to maintain the apostolicity, purity and traditions of the early Church and the divine nature of the sacramental mysteries, particularly baptism, chrismation, confession and communion. To me, the Protestant churches are nothing but a hodgepodge based on modern trends and preferences.
Chin up, have a nice warm little meal, breathe deeply, take a walk, love yourself, pray, shower, sleep, join a group to share your troubles with, God Bless YOU.
I struggle with judging other people and worrying about what they think and sometimes I let my feelings tell me what people are thinking or saying to me. I feel tempted to be angry and hurt by people even when I don't know what they're thinking. Through this fast week I have been trying very hard to focus on Christ and not let my feelings get in the way of treating others the way Christ would want me to. Hopefully I can break this habit and be less judgement of the people I care about.
To be overly concerned with what others think about us is essentially idolatry. We fear that they think poorly of us, which would lead to our pride being wounded. And of course pride is idolatry of self. We must all be carefu in judging others, lest we risk usurping the throne of God. Judge others out of love, and only for their benefit. ✌️
@@sigmacronos9382judging others bad mate . Righteous judgement is encouraged but hypocrisy and hypocritical judgement is bad . Say I judge a man for being violent but I too am violent that makes me a hypocrite
I went to protestant church for awhile, but the Spirit led me back to the Catholic church, and called it Home. The Spirit lessoned me this: it is better to be united than to break up apart; and though I may be disappointed, I should remeber the holy fathers and nuns who are also disappointed yet they stayed to keep the church as one.
Perfect message for me. Been studying Christian Anthropology and your message tied into what I just finished reading concerning salvation. “Punishment is redemptive rather than vengeful The purpose of all that God does for us, including punishment, is for our return and union with Him” It’s so wonderful to be finally on track with the true teachings of the Early church and no longer lost in the heresies of Protestantism. It has been a long and suffering journey but God works in mysterious ways to save His son’s and daughters. There are no words to express my gratitude for all He has done for me. Thank you for your efforts and may God continue to bless you. The Marathon continues
Please please pray for all those amazing people that love and worship Christ outside Orthodoxy!!!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻As well as for all us that are within the church but our hearts and souls are still far from God!!! May our Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on us!!!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Father Spyridon, thank you for your graceful service and teachings! From Ethiopia 🇪🇹 I’ve recently read St John Chrystosom’s book and the sermons he gave some thousands years ago perfectly shaped my perspective of life in the narrow path of orthodoxy. Likewise, your tranquillity and articulation of your thoughts are mesmerizing!
9:40 💯 truths! “ Do not put your trust in feelings, They are things of psychology and of emotions. They are generated within ourselves… that is not faith! Our feelings are not to be trusted! “Our faith is our obedience to the commands of God!” Is about turning and receiving his grace. To be part of HIS Church, to be a living part of HIS body, through baptism and chrismation. The authentic Church of Christ (Orthodoxy - The One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church ).” AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! 💯☦️
Truth. The rational mind and the ego are part of the duality of the Fall of man. Our spiritual side with that adherence and obedience is difficult but it is the way forward. And one of the fruits of that is beautiful Peace of mind.
Humbling indeed. I don’t know you, commenters, but my prayers go out for you all, as I hope yours do for me. Blesdings to Fr Spyridon, a priest in the best sense. ☦️❤️
There is only one way to Heaven Jesus Christ is the way and the truth and the life. I only think of Jesus and what he went through for me. I must decrease that he may increase. Amen praise God for his son.
Thank you, Fr. Spyridon. Thank you for sharing your wisdom both on UA-cam and in your books. I have passed your books along to family members who are now catechumens here in the US in the Antiochian Orthodox Church. You are in my prayers.
Father, I’m new to your audience, and have been enjoying your vids. I’ve been intensely drawn to you and your messages, and I know that you and they are blessings! Thank you and may God Bless You and your ministry.
Be very careful of the doctrines of men... "And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." - Matthew 23:9 (KJV)
I am a protestant and just about everything Father Spyridon is saying is true. It has been my qualm with the protestant church in America for a while now, and I'm only 23 years old. I was raised non-denominational/Pentecostal and still for the most part follow this denomination, but the mega churches and the focus on prosperity, and adapting to the world, Pastors preaching to to buildings full of people that homosexuality is ok, or that God's main desire is to bless your wallet is so backwards and just evil. I have been feeling a strong push towards Orthodoxy, idk, something about it just seems right. And the things he's mentioned about Protestantism, I have heard protestants complain to other protestants about. Like now we're protesting Protestantism. I'm considering becoming Orthodox, I'm just not sure yet.
its actually not that simple to become orthodox. The actual Church is pretty standoffish. I suggest starting by totally learning the orthodox theology. The problem with orthodoxy is that in the west is only exists in tiny enclaves of ethnic minorities, its really not so easy.
@@calamancini This is just not true. Greek Orthodox are very ethnic, but they are not the only kind of Orthodox. My son joined the Church in an OCA (Orthodox Church in America) parish, which is associated with Russia but it is not ethnically Russian. He has attended ROCOR churches and Antiochian(sp?) and none of them were ethnically focused. The one I attend is VERY welcoming and not standoffish, and is full of former Pentecostals and those of other Protestant faiths. I am a former Pentecostal and the first 2 people I talked to in my parish were also!
@@calamancini Not true. There are many Parishes that are adult convert heavy (I say that as all Orthodox are converts). I was accepted at the Greek Parish, the Russian one. It's all Orthodoxy. Many of us are American born.
Hey man I’m 23 as well and a Protestant, I tried going to a Orthodox Church here in Canada but I found the process very confusing on how to Become a orthodox Christian, I have faith in the lord Jesus Christ and he is my salvation and I’m resting on his finished work, I have found a new church who speak the truth every Sunday and demonstrate the power of God and the members are being used by God to do amazing things. I don’t believe their is one denomination that is the only true denomination, even peter and Paul disagreed on things, seek and you shall Find. Just thought I’d give my 2 cents, I’m not saying don’t look into orthodoxy, because I still would if I were you I learned a lot and respect a lot of aspects of it, but I am sticking to my relationship with the lord and putting my faith in him to save me and I believe I will be saved by the blood of Christ
@@rylanmayea55 The Orthodox Church is the Church of Christ. It is not a denomination (as it existed before those) but the Body of Christ with Christ as her Head. If we love God we want to be in His Church, part of His Body. Our relationship stems from the heart and nous, from our prayers at home in our prayer corner to the Jesus Prayer on our prayer rope anywhere, to the Divine Liturgy and other Divine Services to partaking of Him in the most Holy Eucharist. That is true relationship. We use all of our senses of our body and the spirit, our whole being. It takes more than mere Scripture to have a relationship with Christ and the Holy Trinity in general. The process to join the Orthodox Church isn't complicated, it's easier than in the early times of the Church in the 1st and 2nd centuries (and later) where one would be a Catechumen for at least three years. Now it's much shorter. The Catechumenate is important to grow in our Faith and commit to Christ and His Church, a time of purification. It's like a time of engagement to God. All one needs to do is start attending services and in a few months approach the Presbyter to become a Catechumen. The Protestant communities are missing this very important time and most of the beauty of the Christian Faith that God gave us. One must be patient and follow Christ in His Church. May God bless you and bring you home. ☦
Thank you Father Spyridon for the peace and teaching you bring message that bring us to the Faith to Jesus .God bless everyone that need his love .Pure heart devotion 🙏💜🌹
What a POWERFUL!!!! reminder to all of us. There is only one Truth. May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to keep strengthen you so you can bring many more to the Truth of His Salvation. the unworthy from Las Vegas
Father Sypridon, I agree with you about repentance and forgiving others, and as an Anglican that is what we believe. That is the Lord's Prayer (you can't say the Lord's Prayer as a Christian without believing in the line about forgiving others). I was brought up as a Baptist and Pentecostal, now an Anglican. God has been with me all through my life. My take on denominations is that people like to worship God in various ways according to their temperament. I've known a lot of Godly people from the Protestant tradition. God fearing, humble, with a deep love for the Word of God, who preach repentance and give to the poor. Are they no different to Orthodox Christians?
"Take this all of you and eat of it, for THIS IS MY BODY...... "Lest you eat my flesh, you will have no life within you." Protestantism largely denies the reality of the Holy Eucharist and the Sacramental faith, which Christ instituted.
@@annalynn9325 God does not need our worship. It doesn't do anything for Him. God needs absolutely nothing from us, and if no human worshipped Him, it wouldn't effect Him at all. Worship is for *our* sake; to recognize the Most High as all-good, all-powerful, and to realize that it is His grace alone by which we could ever be saved. It is by His grace that Christ came at all. It's pretty obvious in passages like "I desire mercy and not sacrifice.", or God saying in Jeremiah that He detests incense. Or Jesus rebuking the Pharasees. The greatest form of worship is to be Christ-like.
@@andrewstahl3531 An appeal to literal interpretation of scripture is one of my least favorite of all fallacies. I have no problem whatsoever with you thinking that the eucharist literally becomes Christ's flesh, but the problem I've had, especially as I've looked at officially converting back to Orthodoxy is this inane belief that if I don't receive communion under the roof of *your* church, I cannot be saved. You believe Christ *literally* instructed us to eat His flesh. Yet, do you believe Christ *literally* wants you to cut out your eye if it causes you to sin? No? Do you believe Christ is *literally* a door? If Jesus told us, call no man father, *literally* , then why does Paul call himself father to the churches? Maybe, if we consider the full and complete context of Holy Scripture, we can glean a better understanding of the significance of communion, as Christ also says "do this in remembrance", indicating the sign of the covenant which He was establishing. This passage at the last supper directly precedes His crucifixion, where His body *was broken* and His *blood was shed* which is the thing He illudes to. In every covenant, there is a sign that accommodates it, which is meant to be used "in remembrance" of the covenant. Noahidic covenant had the sign of the rainbow. The Mosaic had circumcision. The New Covenant has the sign of eating the *not literal* body and blood of Christ which was broken on the cross. Again, not really concerned with whether or not you want to believe it, but the idea that I can't be saved unless I take communion under the roof and authority of *your* church is ridiculous. Because Christ wanted us to literally eat His flesh and I can only do that at your church. 🙄
@@donquixote8462 The Church fathers LITERALLY believed the Eucharist IS Christ...body, blood, soul and divinity. St Paul himself included...and judging by what you say, you appear to be the person Father is referring to in the video. Willfull ignorance...
This particular talk hit me and my soul and spirit like a ton of brinks and made me understand just how much I need to crucify my old self to the cross and pick up my cross and try to imitate Christ, not with feelings like you said but through repentance and compunction and crying and tears of the sins I have committed and saying the Jesus prayer of the heart, I need a spiritual mentor badly to help me stay on the narrow path, I've asked but nobody wants to help and step up and assist. Unfortunate for me because since young age I've always wanted to become a monk and read the monks of the desert and Syria and Egypt etc.
Thank you this was definitely a wake up call. Lately I've been completely consumed by lust and I feel ashamed of myself. It like there’s two parts of me fighting within me the flesh and the spirit. Part of me feels shameful to even pray because I don’t deserve to be heard or even forgiven. I’ve battled with lust and the sad stuff that comes for a long time and I feel I’ll never overcome it. Anyone has any tips or at least have overcome it to give me some hope.
Feeling ashamed is not the same as repentance. You don’t really hate the sin yet, even though you feel at war with it; we can delude ourselves or be deceived even when we think we are seeing clearly. By His Grace you could overcome it, but your freedom will not be infringed upon. You are not ready for repentance. Pray that you may be, to truly see the ugliness of your sin and its consequences, and to turn from it. Though you ought to be embarrassed and feel shame, it would actually be ego stopping you from crying out to the One who loves you and already knows everything you do, not those feelings.
Dear Lawson --bring it to Holy Confession asap. Bring it to the Lord, in His Church. That's my tip. Also, in the meantime, may I humbly suggest, pray the Psalms: "Flight hath failed me, and there is none that watcheth out for my soul. I have cried unto Thee, O Lord; I said Thou art my hope, my portion art Thou in the land of the living. Attend unto my supplication, for I am brought very low. Deliver me from them that persecute me, for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison that I may confess Thy name." Psalm 141 (LXX)
I too struggle against the passion of lust and I understand the shame that you feel. Confess it to your priest, and frequently use the Jesus Prayer to help you battle your temptations. I often try to say the Canon of Repentance and to do prostrations when I feel temptations growing.
@Ramblings of an Orthodox convert Thank you I’ll definitely keep those in mind and definitely do the Jesus prayer. I don’t have easy access to a church but the next time I do I’ll definitely take the opportunity
How merciful the Lord is! Most of my ancestors are hundreds of years removed from Him in all sorts of horrible heresy, schism, sectariansnm, masonry. What terrible responsibility and mercy that God allowed me to see His Church, and be brought into His Faith! While my entire family is still far from God in sectarianism, or (even more-so) new-age "we save ourselves with our good disposition and our own positive energy" - this horrible blindness of "spirituality" without Christ, and without His saving Mysteries in the Orthodox Church. When I first read "this is a hard saying" it surely was! May God keep us in His Church.
What a kind and warm person is Father Spyridon. All this when I listen look so easy. As I forgot all what I hear very fast, I return again depends what issue I am facing. Thank you
I to am a former baptist, two months ago i converted to Ortodoxi the one true church, just go in a church in one Sunday brother and talk to the priest after the service. God is waiting for you to come home.
Jason, I accepted the tenets of Orthodoxy after I went through a catechetical class at an Orthodox Church in my hometown. Seek a priest out in your community and attend classes and services. Best thing I’ve ever done in my life. 12 years and counting. ☦️
@@MrResearcher122 That my works are filthy rags. That’s a misunderstanding of the Isaiah passage. Keeping his commandments is righteousness it’s not filthy rags. I understand that we all fall short and when Paul says there’s not one righteous no not one we have to understand Paul in context of the rest of the Scriptures. so I believe all Paul is saying is that we all fall short. For instance when Paul says if you are not married don’t be married. Yet scripture says get married and multiply. Therefore I can’t take Paul to say don’t multiply and get married. I think Paul is just trying to say it can be a distraction. Shalom
@@indo3052 The works are only filthy rags in the context of the works alone, they are filthy rags by themself, but their only worth is in their testament to your faith. They are Godly and valuable here on earth, but the analogy of filthy rags is just to illustrate that they are nothing before an infinitely holy God.
@@indo3052 Isaiah 64:6, which states: "We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away." The phrase "polluted garment" is sometimes translated as "filthy rags" in other versions of the Bible. This verse is often interpreted as emphasizing the fallibility of human righteousness and the need for divine grace.
1 Corinthians 1:10 King James Version 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Thank you for taking the times and sharing these videos. I love hearing from others who were not born in to Orthodox share there directions and how they found Orthodoxy
We are to be born again, only the protestants seem to be talking and preaching this. We are cleansed by the blood of the lamb whom is Christ. We must repent humbly to Christ for our sins, with the acknowledgment of who Christ is, his sacrifice for us on the cross his resurrection to new life. Christ went ahead of us. He is the Way, The Truth and The Life. Christ said all that call upon me I will by no means turn away.
The direction our country is going, is really scary to me. Everyone is absorbed in worldly desires, with no vision of what we are looking towards after this short life. And at the same time, not everyone is truly living. We become machines with the influence of those with the power at the top. They are the devil in human skin. The gifts in this world people indulge that are from the demons in our world are lust, search for massive insatiable wealth, drugs, and fame. Why? Because it is an empty gift. You may feel happiness for some time but it fades, and leaves your scarred with darkness. What are gifts from Jesus Christ? I believe some are found in nature, marriage, children, good food, connection. Ask a true believer in Jesus if they would prefer all of the riches in the world and immense power, or if they would rather be near to nature with a wonderful and healthy family. The answer can indicate someone with true vision of what is pure in our world and what is not.
i am a 15 year old teenager who has been in a christian walk for about 2 years now. i have only recently really started to pick up my cross daily ( trying ) and it has not been easy. it’s very hard for me to let go of the desires of my flesh and wanting validation of the world. but these videos really help me understand scriptures and christianity better , thank you, God bless you 🩷.
0:10 More people on earth today ascribe to Christianity 0:37 The Gate is Narrow, and Few Will Enter 1:22 Protestant Error about The Nature of Salvation. 1:55 Salvation is everything to us. 2:35 Christ, The Omnipotent One, did NOT die to pay the Devil. 3:05 Christ Came to Overcome The Impact of our Sin and Our Death. ☦️❤️ 3:51 Sin is wound to the soul that results in sickness and death 🤒 💀 💔 4:27 We are invited to walk that road which is open to us. Be My Disciple, Take Up Your Cross ☦️ Die to yourself. Forgive. 5:38 + Forgiveness + Repentance + Faith + Taking Up Our Cross ☦️ 6:14 + Trust ❤️ *The Lament of Protestant Denominations* 😢 6:34 Protestant Denominations are a few hundred years old, (born in the 1500s) 6:48 Lutherans, Anglicans, genuinely long for God, but have rooted themselves in Roman Catholicism. 7:14 Denominations aren’t linked to The Historical Christian Church 7:32 “ they have no link with the authentic teaching of The Church. They look to the Bible alone, but they don’t know how to read it.” 7:54 Protestants have non-authentic faith. Orthodox has authentic Christian Faith. ☦️ 8:03 Not trying to be harsh, keep in mind ❤️ 8:08 It is not loving to remain silent when it comes to seeing people outside the church put their faith in wrong places. 8:26 Christ wants everyone of us to become members of His Church ⛪️ ☦️ 8:42 God is Holy. ☦️❤️ 9:16 Turning out Hearts ❤️ to Repentance 🙏🏼 9:27 THEN we are capable of receiving His Grace ☦️❤️ 9:35 We Must Repent, Turn Ourselves TOWARDS God ❤️ and receiving His Grace 9:41 We can think, we can feel whatever. 10:05 Our feelings are not to be trusted. 10:49 Let us not be fooled by Protestant philosophies 11:11 Father Seraphim Rose
Wise words, all true. Matthew 7:22/23 always makes me think of the modern day petacostalists and charismatics, with their mega churches and million plus YT views, speaking in tongues and casting out demons: 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
My life has been a constant torture of fear of Hell. It made me run from the Lord and pretend I didn’t believe in Him (even though I did, even when I said I didn’t). Running away made it all infinitely worse. I don’t expect salvation. I’m under demonic attack. I shouldn’t think this way.
Yesho is lord Forgive me for my sins I am the biggest sinner And my faith is the smallest of all. I am your weakest tool Forgive me yeshoBecause I am a sinner and you are my savior Forgive me Jesus Amen.
I know lots of Protestants who do their best to repent and root out the passions, to be obedient to Christ, to receive his grace, yet they are completely lost?
I know some protestants, Ravi Zacharias, Elisabeth Elliot. I can say with certainty that they are saints in heaven. God has mercy on whoever he chooses to show mercy to. Let's never draw any conclusion.
@@Beatrice.Ndungu I don't mean to be rude, but Ravi Zacharias sexually assaulted multiple women throughout the course of his ministry. Not a great example.
@@Beatrice.Ndungu There's no evidence of Ravi being at all repentant about his heinous, sexually sinful lifestyle. I know I'm not assuming he was saved. But yes, there are many Protestants with evidence of the Holy Spirit indwelling (who are saved).
About two years ago, your videos helped me decide that I do want to live an Orthodox Christian life. I am an entirely different person now. Before I believed, I didn’t care to have a relationship with God. I only cared about my own desires. Sure I am still very much plagued by passions of all kinds yeah. But now I am at least aware of sin and willing to keep trying and getting back up no matter what. So thank you deeply for helping me get to this place of willingness. God bless you friend
Even if you are 100% right, this notion that having the right faith but the wrong knowledge will be the thing that bars you from Paradise will turn away many a convert to the Church. I get theologically why the Orthodox believe this stance is valid, but discrediting someone over having a wrong idea about the right thing to trust in, Jesus, however slight or grave, is a harsh thing to declare. Literally, your stance is that a person can do everything as the Saints have, as Christ has, and yet because they think they were predestined, or that the blood and body are just symbols, or whatever fun new theorems the splinter groups come up with that deviate from original teaching, is all that it takes to be sent to hell -- should make you stop and think for a moment! That entire argument sounds so...well...legalistic, don'tcha think? First of all, Christ alone is Judge, and God Himself reserves the right to determine who is, and is not, going to Heaven. Putting aside deeper theological concerns, if you had to make a bare minimum checklist of what would squeak your toe across the pearly gates, they are 1. Believe that Christ is God Incarnate, co-eternal of the Father from all time. 2. He lived on Earth and walked a perfect, sinless life (to prove it was doable) and to make of Himself the perfect offering for the sacrifice to save us from our own sins. 3. That he did die and was resurrected to glory and sits at the right hand of God. 4. That to believe in Him and to walk His path, to "take up My Cross and follow Me", would lead one onto the path that saves men's souls. 5. That when you *do* and *will* fail to keep on the path, that you use contrition and prayer to repent and make yourself right before God, then resume your walk to Calvary. 6. That the Holy Spirit, co-eternal with God, resides in you to guide you and strengthen you on your path. That is it. Granted, each and every step is a stumbling block for someone, and will of themselves keep many from the narrow path. However, who is to say just how narrow or wide this path really is? Jesus never gave specifics on dimensions! Semantics aside, each of the above is part of that walk in Christ, and you can 100% have this outside any Church (but your life and walk will be much harder for it). Otherwise, you run the very real risk of painting yourself into a tiny theological corner where you are forced to state that *only* my way of things is right; *only* my Church's teachings and path and formulae and processes are 100% valid, and so on and so forth, until you close to the Earth any way man can know God outside of your own legalistic gatekeeping (which is, ironically, the very issue Jesus had with the Pharisees: they enforced rules but their hearts were like Cain, far from God despite offering the right sacrifices). If it does turn out that your ideas are the only truth, then only those who are specifically Orthodox and have done the right steps will see Heaven...but God's Kingdom is not won by any checklist or exclusive membership, and we both know it. As the faith of the Centurion proved, you can have the right faith and heart and not even be in the Church; Jesus marveled at his faith if memory serves. I personally would be very cautious of anyone claiming that their view is the only correct one, when God is mighty enough to save even in a place where no word of Jesus has been known. After all, that is what happened with Abraham, no? Sure, it is theologically uncomfortable to admit that such wiggle room exists, but the Lord takes special pleasure in ignoring the whims and desires of men. It would be nice and pat and neat to have only one repository of truth and wisdom, of right living and conduct and teaching and guidance...but anyone left with that kind of power always turns into a tyrant, and we humans have a nasty habit of tearing down such one-sided bastions of power on a regular basis. Nature abhors an autocracy of power and authority anyways; no lion rules his territory or pride without challenge and conflict. One sole answer to all things is the height of unnatural, in its very core and essence, and is usually a logical fallacy that denies other, valid options. Life is nothing if not shades of grey between the black and white. ...my objections aside, your videos are good and food for thought. Thank you for publishing them.
Thanks, Fr. Spyridon. Your talk left me eager to know more about the concept of salvation in Orthodoxy and how it differs from that in Catholicism and Protestantism. Can you please elaborate on this matter in another talk? Thanks.
I am not Fr. Spyridon of course, but the answer is quite easy: In the West, you are saved by God from God, by A torn God who is bound by human ideas of justice and thus has to fool Himself by appeasing Himself through the death of His son (RC) or creating some kind of pseudo-justice (Prot.) by killing the innocent. There you are tortured in Hell by an angry God because you don't love enough. EVERYTHING IS ABSURD... In Orthodoxy, you don't get a ticket to Heaven, but you are prepared to encounter the living God, who never ceased to love mankind. You are saved from the devil, sin, hell and death. The fall is not a legal problem, but an ontological one. Hell is to met God unprepared, to be tortured by love, if you didn't learn to love in this life. EVERYTHING MAKES SENSE. GLORY TO GOD.
@@imadboles3431 As a Catholic, I have to say some Orthodox misrepresent our beliefs about salvation. We actually believe the exact same thing the Orthodox do about it, while at the same time not denying that there are legal aspects related to justice about it.
@@cmg9447 If God exists outside of time, hasn't everything already happened? God has already won against the devil. I don't even pretend to understand the physics of it but when I read Isaiah, in particular, and also Revelations, I am struck by the sense of time being not linear. And no, I'm not a Calvinist.
Thank you kindly for letting us know the truth . I believe every single word. I repent of my sins. I pray for everyone. I cry to our lord Jesus Christ everyday for forgiveness. May God have mercy on my soul. I just want to live forever in the kingdom for Jesus Christ our savior.🧔🏻♀️🐕🇺🇸
I really like your videos, I just disagree with this one, I don’t believe that solely eastern orthodox christian’s will inherit god’s kingdom or this generalisation that all prostantism is heretetical it sounds more opinionated than anything but that’s my perspective. Believe christ died for our sins, repent and be the best christian you can be that’s all any of us can really do. God bless.
This is kind of long but he does such a brilliant job of explaining how Protestants and Catholics are more alike and how different orthodoxy is. ua-cam.com/video/X_4LDDkcWCE/v-deo.html
I think it is called penal substitutionary atonement, or something similar. By His Holy Resurrection, Christ trampled death by death, Victory (Nika) over death. Bojan on his Bible Illustrated ytube channel has two videos comparing these topics. Love to you both!
@@charlestonscnative9083 Penal Substitutionary Atonement v Christ the Victor (over death). Bojan Bible Illustrated channel, ytube, compares these. Love to you!
I think I have heard a Protestant point it out as false teaching from a false teacher once. But I've never met a Protestant in person who was spouting such fluff.
Father Spyridon's books can be viewed here: www.amazon.com/s?k=father+spyridon+bailey&ref=nb_sb_noss
Father, do you have books about the demonic ?. Our culture, TV, the media and its sorcery?. Poltergeist?, possessions?. WE need this topic now more then ever.
I have all Your books, at the moment finishing up “The UFO deception”
thank You for all you do.
with Love in Christ.
Father nothing Jesus say is not happening I just finished reading Joseph Smith vision 150 years ago and he's not the only one
You're right people need to repent we are living in the last days
God bless you he will keep you safe till the end 🙏♥️
And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Matthew 23:9
@@Eric-vj8yr What does that mean Eric? How did the Church Fathers teach us to understand it?
@@hendersonshuntinglodge1207 Hi i dont know about them but Jesus spoke about people being called rabbi or father or master and putting themselves above others that way, thats what my understanding is, he says it very clearly, so dont call yourself or anyone else your (spiritual) father unless its God or your parent father, this man on this channel should not call himself father according to the bible and you should not either.
But the best thing for you is to read matthew chapter 23 for yourself, its pretty clear what he explaines i think.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God. Have mercy on me a Sinner.
Amen 🙏
Amen.
Amen!
Amen
Amen
I've been 20 years a pagan, and in my search for Christ when I hear these words, I weep.
I go to an Orthodox Mission this Sunday and humble myself before Jesus and the Cross.
Update?
How's life going?
I’ve been pagan for about 5 years, mainly Norse and left hand path. It’s been a hard transition for me. Working with demons is not an easy change over. Feels like it gets more difficult the closer to Jesus I wanna get. Some I’m finding myself slipping further away.
Praise God. It brings me such joy to hear you are choosing the path of life
Lord Christ Jesus, please have mercy on me, a terrible sinner. Amen.
I’ll be honest. I’ve only recently been learning about Orthodoxy the past 6 months or so. I’ve started reading The Orthodox Way and have gotten an Orthodox study Bible too. I’ve watched a few of your videos and have found some great wisdom from them, so thank you for that.
I am still attending my non-denominational church along with my wife and kids but I have also gone to some vespers services at a local Orthodox Church. I’m wrestling with a lot of things and the topic of this video is one of them. Ultimately my hope is to be amongst one of the few. However, I understand the reality that I could deceive myself or be deceived and not enter into the Kingdom. And if I don’t end up in the Kingdom, then I will at the very least be one of the many weeping in Hell.
I ask for anyone reading this to pray for both me and my family. I will continue to learn more about Orthodoxy and attend more services/liturgies. As I’ve come to find out I continue to learn more about the faith from actually participating in the vespers services.
May the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have mercy on us all.
Praying! I understand, my story is very similar, and it took me 12 years to get up the nerve to go to a Divine Liturgy. Praise God I found Holy Orthodoxy, I hope your family gets the chance to attend some services together soon; taste and see!
Christ also said that the kingdom is now and it is in our hearts, as much as it is a place in the future. Don’t focus on getting the reward for yourself, focus instead on being the reward to others.
And most of all, don’t listen to a word I said. Pray that God will provide you with an Orthodox Spiritual Father.
Take it slowly my friend. Orthodoxy is a patient faith.
God bless and keep you on your journey, brother. Take it in small manageable bites as much as you can, not everything will make sense or resonate right off the bat. It's a transformation, it's a process... keep your heart open, you and yours are on my daily commemoration list, though my prayers are unworthy.
I also recently left protestantism to become Orthodox. I left my former church, informing the pastor whom I love and respect that I was going to attend an Orthodox church to inquire about the Orthodox faith. I attended my new parish for a year before I decided to become a catechumen, and I will remain a catechumen until my priest decides its time. I am 68 yrs old but I am willing to wait and learn. There are many years of unlearning for me.
I recommend you make the leap and you & your family start attending only the Orthodox church services as an inquirer. The back and forth between the two doesn't seem helpful.
Everyone who has responded, thank you. It means a lot to me to hear wisdom from each of you and about your journeys to Orthodoxy. For those who said a prayer for me and my family I thank you. May the Lord bless each of you and have mercy on us all.
Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on me a sinner
"they've all become little popes" wow that hit the mark, very true
The hyper-charismatics and evangelicals I know actually go one step further and believe when Jesus said "ye are gods", He meant just that! So when the bible says we're created in the image of God, they believe that means we were created "perfect" and are still "perfect", that we should all be "healed" of pain and suffering, and that we're all supposed to be filled with "Holy Spirit fire" to manifest the power of God on Earth. "Jesus did it all for us!! Don't strive so hard! Stop thinking about sin! We are saved by faith alone!!" is their gospel. I call it the "lazy man's gospel".
yes that is a very very old saying about the protestants
says the man wearing a robe and a little pope hat. is the irony lost? i respect and appreciate much of what this man says. i do not follow/understand his defense of Orthodox exclusivity to salvation by lineage of Church fathers. the disciples barely grasped what Jesus was saying when he was saying it. The Holy Spirit may have revealed to them, later, in full what was meant by Jesus' words, but where does the idea come from that only the disciples could receive the Holy Spirit?
no,, you need to repent of all your sins@@GnosticGuru
Father Spyridon tells it the way it is. The people that know of his channel are very fortunate.
Not fortunate, but blessed ;)
True
My Orthodox faith is my true joy, and my treasure chest, the light of my life. Everyday, I discover a brighter jewel than the one before, from church, reading the Bible, and from listening to everything Orthodox from Devote people like you, Fr. Spyridon. May God bless and keep you and all you’re doing, in His loving care ☦️❤️🕊🦚
Pray for me brothers that I persevere in Christ as we participate in the Apostles fast. Amen.
Pray for me also
He always takes me down a peg when I get to feeling a little too "righteous"
I love it.
Amen
The birds and other animals in the background are perfect for these talks
I thank God for the internet. A Roman Catholic from Kenya who consistently listens to your wisdom. Thank you. You build me in a great way. ✝️
@☆ Get feelings ☆ I cannot convert from the faith of my father. I dearly love pope Francis and his teachings.
Orthodoxy is okay but many people I have come across online especially from USA are the most prideful humans. I detest whoever catechises them. But when I find wisdom like this priest, I open my heart to his teaching.
@@Beatrice.Ndungu "If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" ~1 John 4:20
@☆ Get feelings ☆ No thank you. I cannot convert. I love my faith and the richness there is in RCC. Let us all imitate Christ in whichever we faith we are in. Noone is far superior to the other.
@@Beatrice.Ndungu Amen. I’m Catholic too, and the fact that you and I can agree with Father in his videos (other than when he says Orthodoxy is the only true Church) shows that we do still have the same faith he does.
@@bethanyann1060 indeed. We read from the same script of many Church Fathers and we agree 99.9% the remainder is left to the blemished members of the body of Christ.
Please pray for my husband, our two kids, and me. We are on the Orthodox journey. After many years in a myriad of Protestant churches, we decided to become Catechumens, but sometimes there is still fear and confusion. We have a great priest teaching us, though. I struggle with the Protestant themes of praying to saints being wrong, even though I grew up Catholic. Also the prosperity gospel can still be a thing with some Orthodox believers. I'm not sure what we need, but prayers are appreciated. My family also needs salvation. God bless you all. Thank you, Father, for the wake-up call preaching. We don't know when we will die.
The entire message of the Bible is JESUS CHRIST. His overwhelming sacrifice and love makes anything else obsolete. Never in scripture are saints to be glorified. In fact, true followers of Christ are called saints biblically
I am also from a clan of Catholics.
But remember, If I pray to dead saints and give them glory and AM WRONG, then I have EVERYTHING to lose because it equates as idolatry.
But If I worship and pray to God and Christ, then I have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
Honor saints but do not pray to them.
You’re literally one of the best teachers on UA-cam thank you for your content
Father Spyridon's talk perfectly encapsulates the reasons I left Protestantism and crossed over to the Orthodox faith.
Same here
@@lukelucas9264 ...and here
Here as well
Why?
@@ethanacevedo6374 The history of the thousands of different Protestant faiths has been constant change, modification and accommodation reflecting current permissive social preferences, like same-sex marriage and the prosperity gospel of mega-churches. In the Protestant churches I once belonged to, the minister felt free to expound on political matters, even to the point of advocating specific political candidates (in violation of the law). Meanwhile, literally anyone could walk off the street into the church and participate in the Holy Communion. Conversely, the Orthodox Church strives to maintain the apostolicity, purity and traditions of the early Church and the divine nature of the sacramental mysteries, particularly baptism, chrismation, confession and communion. To me, the Protestant churches are nothing but a hodgepodge based on modern trends and preferences.
I need somebody to pray for me I’m falling
Chin up, have a nice warm little meal, breathe deeply, take a walk, love yourself, pray, shower, sleep, join a group to share your troubles with, God Bless YOU.
I will pray for you. Can I have a first name, or initial?
Open a KING JAMES BIBLE and read. Pray for stronger faith in Jesus Christ.
Lord Jesus Chrsit, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.
I struggle with judging other people and worrying about what they think and sometimes I let my feelings tell me what people are thinking or saying to me. I feel tempted to be angry and hurt by people even when I don't know what they're thinking. Through this fast week I have been trying very hard to focus on Christ and not let my feelings get in the way of treating others the way Christ would want me to. Hopefully I can break this habit and be less judgement of the people I care about.
To be overly concerned with what others think about us is essentially idolatry. We fear that they think poorly of us, which would lead to our pride being wounded. And of course pride is idolatry of self.
We must all be carefu in judging others, lest we risk usurping the throne of God. Judge others out of love, and only for their benefit.
✌️
pardon me, but not "Hopefully I".... but, rather, "Lord, help me to...." ...and go to Confession!
@@sigmacronos9382judging others bad mate . Righteous judgement is encouraged but hypocrisy and hypocritical judgement is bad . Say I judge a man for being violent but I too am violent that makes me a hypocrite
I have the same problem. Please pray for me and i will pray for you that we May be healed.
If you worry about what they think of you then chnage that. Fix ur insecurities today
I went to protestant church for awhile, but the Spirit led me back to the Catholic church, and called it Home. The Spirit lessoned me this: it is better to be united than to break up apart; and though I may be disappointed, I should remeber the holy fathers and nuns who are also disappointed yet they stayed to keep the church as one.
Perfect message for me. Been studying Christian Anthropology and your message tied into what I just finished reading concerning salvation.
“Punishment is redemptive rather than vengeful
The purpose of all that God does for us, including punishment, is for our return and union with Him”
It’s so wonderful to be finally on track with the true teachings of the Early church and no longer lost in the heresies of Protestantism. It has been a long and suffering journey but God works in mysterious ways to save His son’s and daughters. There are no words to express my gratitude for all He has done for me.
Thank you for your efforts and may God continue to bless you.
The Marathon continues
The narrow path in the background is a nice touch! 😁
Love this guy.....he doesn't even take money for his sermons.....breath of fresh air then the televangelist and prosperity preachers....
Thank you Father for your time and teaching☦️
Please please pray for all those amazing people that love and worship Christ outside Orthodoxy!!!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻As well as for all us that are within the church but our hearts and souls are still far from God!!! May our Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on us!!!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Thank You Father Spyridon!, WE need more teachings/videos like this. with Love in Christ.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.
Thank you for your words Father.
Father Spyridon, thank you for your graceful service and teachings! From Ethiopia 🇪🇹
I’ve recently read St John Chrystosom’s book and the sermons he gave some thousands years ago perfectly shaped my perspective of life in the narrow path of orthodoxy. Likewise, your tranquillity and articulation of your thoughts are mesmerizing!
May the spirit continue to talk to us through you ❤
9:40 💯 truths!
“ Do not put your trust in feelings, They are things of psychology and of emotions. They are generated within ourselves… that is not faith! Our feelings are not to be trusted!
“Our faith is our obedience to the commands of God!”
Is about turning and receiving his grace. To be part of HIS Church, to be a living part of HIS body, through baptism and chrismation. The authentic Church of Christ (Orthodoxy - The One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church ).” AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! 💯☦️
Truth. The rational mind and the ego are part of the duality of the Fall of man. Our spiritual side with that adherence and obedience is difficult but it is the way forward. And one of the fruits of that is beautiful Peace of mind.
I'm neutral on that because God gave us a mind.
@@Featheryfaith7 Finish that thought.
@@deerlow1851 What thought? It's common sense in which we all lack today.
@@Featheryfaith7You mean "I am neutral on that because God gave us free will".
There, fixed it for ya.
Humbling indeed. I don’t know you, commenters, but my prayers go out for you all, as I hope yours do for me. Blesdings to Fr Spyridon, a priest in the best sense. ☦️❤️
There is only one way to Heaven Jesus Christ is the way and the truth and the life. I only think of Jesus and what he went through for me. I must decrease that he may increase. Amen praise God for his son.
Father Spyridon, you are simply amazing for not being afraid to tell it like it is!!!
Orthodox brothers please pray for us Catholics. God bless you
Orthodox believes in divorce and remarriage
Pray for those caught in the web of darkness.
Please pray for my wife, Cathy. I wish to convert, but she will not. Save us, Lord Jesus!
@gottogosome In the sense if one of the spouse commits sexual immortality like adultery, right?
Thank you, Fr. Spyridon. Thank you for sharing your wisdom both on UA-cam and in your books. I have passed your books along to family members who are now catechumens here in the US in the Antiochian Orthodox Church. You are in my prayers.
Lord Yeshua, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner
Lord Jesus Christ, Please allow me to repent for my sins and turn away from them and enter Paradise with you. In Jesus name, Amen.
This may be one of the most important videos yet Fr. Spyridon & thank you again. ☦️
Father, I’m new to your audience, and have been enjoying your vids. I’ve been intensely drawn to you and your messages, and I know that you and they are blessings! Thank you and may God Bless You and your ministry.
Be very careful of the doctrines of men...
"And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." - Matthew 23:9 (KJV)
I am a protestant and just about everything Father Spyridon is saying is true. It has been my qualm with the protestant church in America for a while now, and I'm only 23 years old. I was raised non-denominational/Pentecostal and still for the most part follow this denomination, but the mega churches and the focus on prosperity, and adapting to the world, Pastors preaching to to buildings full of people that homosexuality is ok, or that God's main desire is to bless your wallet is so backwards and just evil. I have been feeling a strong push towards Orthodoxy, idk, something about it just seems right. And the things he's mentioned about Protestantism, I have heard protestants complain to other protestants about. Like now we're protesting Protestantism. I'm considering becoming Orthodox, I'm just not sure yet.
its actually not that simple to become orthodox. The actual Church is pretty standoffish. I suggest starting by totally learning the orthodox theology. The problem with orthodoxy is that in the west is only exists in tiny enclaves of ethnic minorities, its really not so easy.
@@calamancini This is just not true. Greek Orthodox are very ethnic, but they are not the only kind of Orthodox. My son joined the Church in an OCA (Orthodox Church in America) parish, which is associated with Russia but it is not ethnically Russian. He has attended ROCOR churches and Antiochian(sp?) and none of them were ethnically focused. The one I attend is VERY welcoming and not standoffish, and is full of former Pentecostals and those of other Protestant faiths. I am a former Pentecostal and the first 2 people I talked to in my parish were also!
@@calamancini Not true. There are many Parishes that are adult convert heavy (I say that as all Orthodox are converts). I was accepted at the Greek Parish, the Russian one. It's all Orthodoxy. Many of us are American born.
Hey man I’m 23 as well and a Protestant, I tried going to a Orthodox Church here in Canada but I found the process very confusing on how to
Become a orthodox Christian, I have faith in the lord Jesus Christ and he is my salvation and I’m resting on his finished work, I have found a new church who speak the truth every Sunday and demonstrate the power of God and the members are being used by God to do amazing things. I don’t believe their is one denomination that is the only true denomination, even peter and Paul disagreed on things, seek and you shall
Find. Just thought I’d give my 2 cents, I’m not saying don’t look into orthodoxy, because I still would if I were you I learned a lot and respect a lot of aspects of it, but I am sticking to my relationship with the lord and putting my faith in him to save me and I believe I will be saved by the blood of Christ
@@rylanmayea55 The Orthodox Church is the Church of Christ. It is not a denomination (as it existed before those) but the Body of Christ with Christ as her Head. If we love God we want to be in His Church, part of His Body.
Our relationship stems from the heart and nous, from our prayers at home in our prayer corner to the Jesus Prayer on our prayer rope anywhere, to the Divine Liturgy and other Divine Services to partaking of Him in the most Holy Eucharist. That is true relationship. We use all of our senses of our body and the spirit, our whole being. It takes more than mere Scripture to have a relationship with Christ and the Holy Trinity in general.
The process to join the Orthodox Church isn't complicated, it's easier than in the early times of the Church in the 1st and 2nd centuries (and later) where one would be a Catechumen for at least three years. Now it's much shorter.
The Catechumenate is important to grow in our Faith and commit to Christ and His Church, a time of purification. It's like a time of engagement to God. All one needs to do is start attending services and in a few months approach the Presbyter to become a Catechumen. The Protestant communities are missing this very important time and most of the beauty of the Christian Faith that God gave us.
One must be patient and follow Christ in His Church.
May God bless you and bring you home. ☦
Father I wish the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church would be 1 ✝️♥️
The Catholic Church is literally working to create Chrislam.
His love for us is unending
Father bless, thank you for your good work.
Thank you Father Spyridon for the peace and teaching you bring message that bring us to the Faith to Jesus .God bless everyone that need his love .Pure heart devotion 🙏💜🌹
What a POWERFUL!!!! reminder to all of us. There is only one Truth. May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to keep strengthen you so you can bring many more to the Truth of His Salvation.
the unworthy from Las Vegas
Father Sypridon, I agree with you about repentance and forgiving others, and as an Anglican that is what we believe. That is the Lord's Prayer (you can't say the Lord's Prayer as a Christian without believing in the line about forgiving others). I was brought up as a Baptist and Pentecostal, now an Anglican. God has been with me all through my life. My take on denominations is that people like to worship God in various ways according to their temperament. I've known a lot of Godly people from the Protestant tradition. God fearing, humble, with a deep love for the Word of God, who preach repentance and give to the poor. Are they no different to Orthodox Christians?
"Take this all of you and eat of it, for THIS IS MY BODY...... "Lest you eat my flesh, you will have no life within you." Protestantism largely denies the reality of the Holy Eucharist and the Sacramental faith, which Christ instituted.
Maybe the question shouldn’t be how we like to worship God, but how He likes to be worshiped
@@annalynn9325
God does not need our worship. It doesn't do anything for Him. God needs absolutely nothing from us, and if no human worshipped Him, it wouldn't effect Him at all. Worship is for *our* sake; to recognize the Most High as all-good, all-powerful, and to realize that it is His grace alone by which we could ever be saved. It is by His grace that Christ came at all. It's pretty obvious in passages like "I desire mercy and not sacrifice.", or God saying in Jeremiah that He detests incense. Or Jesus rebuking the Pharasees. The greatest form of worship is to be Christ-like.
@@andrewstahl3531
An appeal to literal interpretation of scripture is one of my least favorite of all fallacies. I have no problem whatsoever with you thinking that the eucharist literally becomes Christ's flesh, but the problem I've had, especially as I've looked at officially converting back to Orthodoxy is this inane belief that if I don't receive communion under the roof of *your* church, I cannot be saved.
You believe Christ *literally* instructed us to eat His flesh. Yet, do you believe Christ *literally* wants you to cut out your eye if it causes you to sin? No? Do you believe Christ is *literally* a door? If Jesus told us, call no man father, *literally* , then why does Paul call himself father to the churches?
Maybe, if we consider the full and complete context of Holy Scripture, we can glean a better understanding of the significance of communion, as Christ also says "do this in remembrance", indicating the sign of the covenant which He was establishing. This passage at the last supper directly precedes His crucifixion, where His body *was broken* and His *blood was shed* which is the thing He illudes to. In every covenant, there is a sign that accommodates it, which is meant to be used "in remembrance" of the covenant. Noahidic covenant had the sign of the rainbow. The Mosaic had circumcision. The New Covenant has the sign of eating the *not literal* body and blood of Christ which was broken on the cross.
Again, not really concerned with whether or not you want to believe it, but the idea that I can't be saved unless I take communion under the roof and authority of *your* church is ridiculous. Because Christ wanted us to literally eat His flesh and I can only do that at your church. 🙄
@@donquixote8462 The Church fathers LITERALLY believed the Eucharist IS Christ...body, blood, soul and divinity. St Paul himself included...and judging by what you say, you appear to be the person Father is referring to in the video. Willfull ignorance...
Thank you for your word, father. God bless
☦️📿
This particular talk hit me and my soul and spirit like a ton of brinks and made me understand just how much I need to crucify my old self to the cross and pick up my cross and try to imitate Christ, not with feelings like you said but through repentance and compunction and crying and tears of the sins I have committed and saying the Jesus prayer of the heart, I need a spiritual mentor badly to help me stay on the narrow path, I've asked but nobody wants to help and step up and assist. Unfortunate for me because since young age I've always wanted to become a monk and read the monks of the desert and Syria and Egypt etc.
I hope you get help soon.
go watch Father Kosmas, Orthodox Talks yt channel. I think it might help you, especially talk 45: are we leading a balanced spiritual life
Thank you this was definitely a wake up call. Lately I've been completely consumed by lust and I feel ashamed of myself. It like there’s two parts of me fighting within me the flesh and the spirit. Part of me feels shameful to even pray because I don’t deserve to be heard or even forgiven. I’ve battled with lust and the sad stuff that comes for a long time and I feel I’ll never overcome it. Anyone has any tips or at least have overcome it to give me some hope.
Feeling ashamed is not the same as repentance. You don’t really hate the sin yet, even though you feel at war with it; we can delude ourselves or be deceived even when we think we are seeing clearly. By His Grace you could overcome it, but your freedom will not be infringed upon. You are not ready for repentance. Pray that you may be, to truly see the ugliness of your sin and its consequences, and to turn from it. Though you ought to be embarrassed and feel shame, it would actually be ego stopping you from crying out to the One who loves you and already knows everything you do, not those feelings.
Dear Lawson --bring it to Holy Confession asap. Bring it to the Lord, in His Church. That's my tip. Also, in the meantime, may I humbly suggest, pray the Psalms: "Flight hath failed me, and there is none that watcheth out for my soul. I have cried unto Thee, O Lord; I said Thou art my hope, my portion art Thou in the land of the living. Attend unto my supplication, for I am brought very low. Deliver me from them that persecute me, for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison that I may confess Thy name." Psalm 141 (LXX)
I too struggle against the passion of lust and I understand the shame that you feel. Confess it to your priest, and frequently use the Jesus Prayer to help you battle your temptations. I often try to say the Canon of Repentance and to do prostrations when I feel temptations growing.
@bart simpson
Thank you, no I haven’t read the life of St Mary the Egyptian
@Ramblings of an Orthodox convert
Thank you I’ll definitely keep those in mind and definitely do the Jesus prayer. I don’t have easy access to a church but the next time I do I’ll definitely take the opportunity
How merciful the Lord is! Most of my ancestors are hundreds of years removed from Him in all sorts of horrible heresy, schism, sectariansnm, masonry. What terrible responsibility and mercy that God allowed me to see His Church, and be brought into His Faith! While my entire family is still far from God in sectarianism, or (even more-so) new-age "we save ourselves with our good disposition and our own positive energy" - this horrible blindness of "spirituality" without Christ, and without His saving Mysteries in the Orthodox Church.
When I first read "this is a hard saying" it surely was! May God keep us in His Church.
What a kind and warm person is Father Spyridon. All this when I listen look so easy. As I forgot all what I hear very fast, I return again depends what issue I am facing. Thank you
These videos are literally saving my life
As well as mine, father's words provide peace to me
Thank you, Father. Such an important message. Thank you. God Bless.
I have accepted the doctrines of Orthodoxy but I'm still culturally protestant growing up in a protestant community.
I to am a former baptist, two months ago i converted to Ortodoxi the one true church, just go in a church in one Sunday brother and talk to the priest after the service. God is waiting for you to come home.
Jason, I accepted the tenets of Orthodoxy after I went through a catechetical class at an Orthodox Church in my hometown. Seek a priest out in your community and attend classes and services. Best thing I’ve ever done in my life. 12 years and counting. ☦️
@@lesandani9778 What's the difference between Baptist church and Orthodox church?
@@beat1rizThe ortodox church is the first church established by Jesus, and the Baptist church came 1500 later.
@Gillian Savant God bless you brother
I enjoy listening to Father. He teaches me so much.
Thank you Father… I have been really distracted by lofty philosophies lately. You are right.
Please pray for me and my family father 🙏 ♥️ Christos Anesti ♥️🙏
I don’t even agree 100% of everything this guy says but I love watching his videos because I agree with 99% of it
What's the
One %?
@@MrResearcher122 That my works are filthy rags. That’s a misunderstanding of the Isaiah passage.
Keeping his commandments is righteousness it’s not filthy rags.
I understand that we all fall short and when Paul says there’s not one righteous no not one we have to understand Paul in context of the rest of the Scriptures. so I believe all Paul is saying is that we all fall short.
For instance when Paul says if you are not married don’t be married. Yet scripture says get married and multiply. Therefore I can’t take Paul to say don’t multiply and get married. I think Paul is just trying to say it can be a distraction.
Shalom
@@indo3052 The works are only filthy rags in the context of the works alone, they are filthy rags by themself, but their only worth is in their testament to your faith. They are Godly and valuable here on earth, but the analogy of filthy rags is just to illustrate that they are nothing before an infinitely holy God.
@@deerlow1851 works are righteousness according to scripture, where do u get the idea obeying yahs commands are filthy rags
@@indo3052 Isaiah 64:6, which states: "We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away."
The phrase "polluted garment" is sometimes translated as "filthy rags" in other versions of the Bible. This verse is often interpreted as emphasizing the fallibility of human righteousness and the need for divine grace.
1 Corinthians 1:10
King James Version
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Thank you, Father Spyridon.
Thank you for taking the times and sharing these videos. I love hearing from others who were not born in to Orthodox share there directions and how they found Orthodoxy
Срдачно благодаримо !!
Just saw this verse, God is amazing his timing is perfect.
Thankyou Father Spyridon for your insight and understanding of Christ.
We are to be born again, only the protestants seem to be talking and preaching this. We are cleansed by the blood of the lamb whom is Christ. We must repent humbly to Christ for our sins, with the acknowledgment of who Christ is, his sacrifice for us on the cross his resurrection to new life. Christ went ahead of us. He is the Way, The Truth and The Life. Christ said all that call upon me I will by no means turn away.
Protestants teach salvation as a one-and-done deal, Orthodox teach that its an ongoing process, along with certain sacraments.
Glory to God! I love these videos
This video was more of an attack on Protestantism than of much use to me, but I appreciate many of your other videos. God bless!
Amen! God bless you dear Father Spyridon! 🙏❤
Sin as a disease model rather than legalism. So true. Thank you.
The direction our country is going, is really scary to me. Everyone is absorbed in worldly desires, with no vision of what we are looking towards after this short life. And at the same time, not everyone is truly living. We become machines with the influence of those with the power at the top. They are the devil in human skin. The gifts in this world people indulge that are from the demons in our world are lust, search for massive insatiable wealth, drugs, and fame. Why? Because it is an empty gift. You may feel happiness for some time but it fades, and leaves your scarred with darkness. What are gifts from Jesus Christ? I believe some are found in nature, marriage, children, good food, connection. Ask a true believer in Jesus if they would prefer all of the riches in the world and immense power, or if they would rather be near to nature with a wonderful and healthy family. The answer can indicate someone with true vision of what is pure in our world and what is not.
Absolutely true god bless you ❤❤❤
I've been watching Christian videos on UA-cam all day and this is much more thoughtful and dignified than most of them
i am a 15 year old teenager who has been in a christian walk for about 2 years now. i have only recently really started to pick up my cross daily ( trying ) and it has not been easy. it’s very hard for me to let go of the desires of my flesh and wanting validation of the world. but these videos really help me understand scriptures and christianity better , thank you, God bless you 🩷.
I love you and support you, I am an 18 year old convert from Atheism. Stay strong in this wicked world
@@TruePluto Thank you so much this comment means a lot ❤️ God bless you brother much love
0:10 More people on earth today ascribe to Christianity
0:37 The Gate is Narrow, and Few Will Enter
1:22 Protestant Error about The Nature of Salvation.
1:55 Salvation is everything to us.
2:35 Christ, The Omnipotent One, did NOT die to pay the Devil.
3:05 Christ Came to Overcome The Impact of our Sin and Our Death. ☦️❤️
3:51 Sin is wound to the soul that results in sickness and death 🤒 💀 💔
4:27 We are invited to walk that road which is open to us. Be My Disciple, Take Up Your Cross ☦️ Die to yourself. Forgive.
5:38
+ Forgiveness
+ Repentance
+ Faith
+ Taking Up Our Cross ☦️
6:14 + Trust ❤️
*The Lament of Protestant Denominations* 😢
6:34 Protestant Denominations are a few hundred years old, (born in the 1500s)
6:48 Lutherans, Anglicans, genuinely long for God, but have rooted themselves in Roman Catholicism.
7:14 Denominations aren’t linked to The Historical Christian Church
7:32 “ they have no link with the authentic teaching of The Church. They look to the Bible alone, but they don’t know how to read it.”
7:54 Protestants have non-authentic faith. Orthodox has authentic Christian Faith. ☦️
8:03 Not trying to be harsh, keep in mind ❤️
8:08 It is not loving to remain silent when it comes to seeing people outside the church put their faith in wrong places.
8:26 Christ wants everyone of us to become members of His Church ⛪️ ☦️
8:42 God is Holy. ☦️❤️
9:16 Turning out Hearts ❤️ to Repentance 🙏🏼
9:27 THEN we are capable of receiving His Grace ☦️❤️
9:35 We Must Repent, Turn Ourselves TOWARDS God ❤️ and receiving His Grace
9:41 We can think, we can feel whatever.
10:05 Our feelings are not to be trusted.
10:49 Let us not be fooled by Protestant philosophies
11:11 Father Seraphim Rose
On time 8:08 is he talking about people who believe or unbelievers? What does he mean by that?
Wise words, all true. Matthew 7:22/23 always makes me think of the modern day petacostalists and charismatics, with their mega churches and million plus YT views, speaking in tongues and casting out demons: 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
But does it mean casting out demons and laying hands on the sick is not what God accepts of us as Christians to do? Apologies, I’m just confused.
Love your teachings
Very true, thank you for this video Father Spyridon!
even though im a sinner your words are calming and insightful thank you
My life has been a constant torture of fear of Hell. It made me run from the Lord and pretend I didn’t believe in Him (even though I did, even when I said I didn’t). Running away made it all infinitely worse. I don’t expect salvation. I’m under demonic attack. I shouldn’t think this way.
Yesho is lord Forgive me for my sins I am the biggest sinner And my faith is the smallest of all. I am your weakest tool Forgive me yeshoBecause I am a sinner and you are my savior Forgive me Jesus Amen.
I’ve been praying for guidance… and your video showed up in my timeline. 😊❤
I know lots of Protestants who do their best to repent and root out the passions, to be obedient to Christ, to receive his grace, yet they are completely lost?
I know some protestants, Ravi Zacharias, Elisabeth Elliot. I can say with certainty that they are saints in heaven.
God has mercy on whoever he chooses to show mercy to. Let's never draw any conclusion.
@@Beatrice.Ndungu I don't mean to be rude, but Ravi Zacharias sexually assaulted multiple women throughout the course of his ministry. Not a great example.
@@Beatrice.Ndungu Ravi was a sex pest who used the gospel for his own ends
@@Beatrice.Ndungu There's no evidence of Ravi being at all repentant about his heinous, sexually sinful lifestyle. I know I'm not assuming he was saved.
But yes, there are many Protestants with evidence of the Holy Spirit indwelling (who are saved).
Imagine living your whole life thinking you are going to heaven only to find out you’re not entering heaven because you followed the world.
Thank you father Spyridon!
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Most Heavenly Father, have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen
About two years ago, your videos helped me decide that I do want to live an Orthodox Christian life. I am an entirely different person now. Before I believed, I didn’t care to have a relationship with God. I only cared about my own desires. Sure I am still very much plagued by passions of all kinds yeah. But now I am at least aware of sin and willing to keep trying and getting back up no matter what. So thank you deeply for helping me get to this place of willingness. God bless you friend
Even if you are 100% right, this notion that having the right faith but the wrong knowledge will be the thing that bars you from Paradise will turn away many a convert to the Church. I get theologically why the Orthodox believe this stance is valid, but discrediting someone over having a wrong idea about the right thing to trust in, Jesus, however slight or grave, is a harsh thing to declare. Literally, your stance is that a person can do everything as the Saints have, as Christ has, and yet because they think they were predestined, or that the blood and body are just symbols, or whatever fun new theorems the splinter groups come up with that deviate from original teaching, is all that it takes to be sent to hell -- should make you stop and think for a moment! That entire argument sounds so...well...legalistic, don'tcha think?
First of all, Christ alone is Judge, and God Himself reserves the right to determine who is, and is not, going to Heaven. Putting aside deeper theological concerns, if you had to make a bare minimum checklist of what would squeak your toe across the pearly gates, they are 1. Believe that Christ is God Incarnate, co-eternal of the Father from all time. 2. He lived on Earth and walked a perfect, sinless life (to prove it was doable) and to make of Himself the perfect offering for the sacrifice to save us from our own sins. 3. That he did die and was resurrected to glory and sits at the right hand of God. 4. That to believe in Him and to walk His path, to "take up My Cross and follow Me", would lead one onto the path that saves men's souls. 5. That when you *do* and *will* fail to keep on the path, that you use contrition and prayer to repent and make yourself right before God, then resume your walk to Calvary. 6. That the Holy Spirit, co-eternal with God, resides in you to guide you and strengthen you on your path.
That is it. Granted, each and every step is a stumbling block for someone, and will of themselves keep many from the narrow path. However, who is to say just how narrow or wide this path really is? Jesus never gave specifics on dimensions! Semantics aside, each of the above is part of that walk in Christ, and you can 100% have this outside any Church (but your life and walk will be much harder for it). Otherwise, you run the very real risk of painting yourself into a tiny theological corner where you are forced to state that *only* my way of things is right; *only* my Church's teachings and path and formulae and processes are 100% valid, and so on and so forth, until you close to the Earth any way man can know God outside of your own legalistic gatekeeping (which is, ironically, the very issue Jesus had with the Pharisees: they enforced rules but their hearts were like Cain, far from God despite offering the right sacrifices). If it does turn out that your ideas are the only truth, then only those who are specifically Orthodox and have done the right steps will see Heaven...but God's Kingdom is not won by any checklist or exclusive membership, and we both know it. As the faith of the Centurion proved, you can have the right faith and heart and not even be in the Church; Jesus marveled at his faith if memory serves.
I personally would be very cautious of anyone claiming that their view is the only correct one, when God is mighty enough to save even in a place where no word of Jesus has been known. After all, that is what happened with Abraham, no? Sure, it is theologically uncomfortable to admit that such wiggle room exists, but the Lord takes special pleasure in ignoring the whims and desires of men. It would be nice and pat and neat to have only one repository of truth and wisdom, of right living and conduct and teaching and guidance...but anyone left with that kind of power always turns into a tyrant, and we humans have a nasty habit of tearing down such one-sided bastions of power on a regular basis. Nature abhors an autocracy of power and authority anyways; no lion rules his territory or pride without challenge and conflict. One sole answer to all things is the height of unnatural, in its very core and essence, and is usually a logical fallacy that denies other, valid options. Life is nothing if not shades of grey between the black and white.
...my objections aside, your videos are good and food for thought. Thank you for publishing them.
Thank you Father, I have been struggling with the question of salvation recently. Lord have mercy ☦️
This is the message I needed today.
Thanks, Fr. Spyridon. Your talk left me eager to know more about the concept of salvation in Orthodoxy and how it differs from that in Catholicism and Protestantism. Can you please elaborate on this matter in another talk? Thanks.
I am not Fr. Spyridon of course, but the answer is quite easy: In the West, you are saved by God from God, by A torn God who is bound by human ideas of justice and thus has to fool Himself by appeasing Himself through the death of His son (RC) or creating some kind of pseudo-justice (Prot.) by killing the innocent. There you are tortured in Hell by an angry God because you don't love enough. EVERYTHING IS ABSURD... In Orthodoxy, you don't get a ticket to Heaven, but you are prepared to encounter the living God, who never ceased to love mankind. You are saved from the devil, sin, hell and death. The fall is not a legal problem, but an ontological one. Hell is to met God unprepared, to be tortured by love, if you didn't learn to love in this life. EVERYTHING MAKES SENSE. GLORY TO GOD.
@@cmg9447 thanks for your explanation
@@imadboles3431 As a Catholic, I have to say some Orthodox misrepresent our beliefs about salvation. We actually believe the exact same thing the Orthodox do about it, while at the same time not denying that there are legal aspects related to justice about it.
@@cmg9447 If God exists outside of time, hasn't everything already happened? God has already won against the devil. I don't even pretend to understand the physics of it but when I read Isaiah, in particular, and also Revelations, I am struck by the sense of time being not linear.
And no, I'm not a Calvinist.
Thank you kindly for letting us know the truth . I believe every single word. I repent of my sins. I pray for everyone. I cry to our lord Jesus Christ everyday for forgiveness. May God have mercy on my soul. I just want to live forever in the kingdom for Jesus Christ our savior.🧔🏻♀️🐕🇺🇸
Thanks for this words, father Spyridon.
Excellent delivery. Father has prepared well and millions all over the world must listen to this message and be inspired by his perfect teaching.
I really like your videos, I just disagree with this one, I don’t believe that solely eastern orthodox christian’s will inherit god’s kingdom or this generalisation that all prostantism is heretetical it sounds more opinionated than anything but that’s my perspective. Believe christ died for our sins, repent and be the best christian you can be that’s all any of us can really do. God bless.
Couldn't have said it better. God bless everyone.
Excellent heart felt message for our time, much needed for the day is at hand. God bless
“He was resurrected in our very humanity.” Beautiful wording.
The great irony is I can't get my parents to consider Orthodoxy because it reminds them too much of Catholicism.
This is kind of long but he does such a brilliant job of explaining how Protestants and Catholics are more alike and how different orthodoxy is. ua-cam.com/video/X_4LDDkcWCE/v-deo.html
I agree with your message, however I have never heard a Protestant teach that Christ died as a ransom to Satan.
I know! That statement shocked me because I have never heard that in my life.
I think it is called penal substitutionary atonement, or something similar. By His Holy Resurrection, Christ trampled death by death, Victory (Nika) over death.
Bojan on his Bible Illustrated ytube channel has two videos comparing these topics.
Love to you both!
@@charlestonscnative9083 Penal Substitutionary Atonement v Christ the Victor (over death). Bojan Bible Illustrated channel, ytube, compares these.
Love to you!
I have! I have been to churches that made that statement the foundation of everything.
I think I have heard a Protestant point it out as false teaching from a false teacher once. But I've never met a Protestant in person who was spouting such fluff.
thank you father
Thank you for your words of wisdom, spoken so soft yet razor sharp.