How Did Athos Respond to the Pandemic? - Bishop Alexei of Alaska
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- Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
- Bishop Alexei (Trader) of Alaska discusses secular therapy, his work on Aaron Beck, and the Orthodox Christian spiritual path.
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His Grace Bp. Alexei (Trader), was tonsured at St. Tikhon's Monastery before relocating to Karakallou Monastery on Mt. Athos, and most recently was made OCA bishop of Sitka and Alaska. He is a seasoned monastic as well as a well-read theologian, who wrote his Th.D. at the University of Thessalonica before returning to the States.
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Closing the churches especially for Pascha 2020 was a great tragedy and crime against the laity. Our spiritual care is more important than our physical care
I was already struggling as an outsider to the church. When COVID hit I didn't even have a chance to seek peace in the church. I was prodded and poked by demons with no chance of recourse. It has been a painful time but I finally entered a church for the first time in the last year and started attending. I joined the Great Fast, and experienced my first ever Pascha. Christ is risen. ☦️
Arguing is not good, but sometimes clarification is needed. Such is the case here.
Our spiritual care is Traditionally and Scripturally verified as being more important than our physical care.
However, where in Tradition or Scripture does it say that we must be in a physical structure (a church building) to receive spiritual care? Neither say this.
Nor do Tradition or Scripture insist that we must celebrate the Eucharist weekly in order to receive spiritual care, or that we must celebrate Pascha in a specific building.
There are many examples of Orthodox saints who did not have access to either a weekly church service or the celebration of the Eucharist for long periods of time, but whose advanced spirituality can not be held in question: St Mary of Egypt being one of the most well-known.
Centering our nous on the love of God, and on the love of our neighbor as ourself - with a focus on the diminishing of our passions and the acquisition of the virtues, in Christ, through asceticism and prayer - can, and should, be done outside of any building or church service. Both Tradition and Scripture emphasize the practice of such. Had more of us done so would have greatly diminished the fear and outrage (both are passions, not virtues) that the enemy was able to instill in so many well-meaning believers during the pandemic, and which were, unfortunately, manifested in so many online opinions.
Hopefully, we can learn from this experience and make an effort to practice Tradional and Scriptural Orthodoxy instead of being carried away by the ungodly "powers of the air, " which powers caused so many to experience the exact opposite of spiritual care.
If you're dead you can't engage in spiritual care. And we live in a technological age. Can the church really not hold their liturgical meetings through zoom or something? Then just wait until the pandemic ends and you can go back to church. There are simple solutions to these problems
I don't see how going to Church as a monk is any different than me going as a member of the layity. The Church is a hospital and we are all sick. Monastic or not. Going berserk if they try to close churches down seems like a proper response.
well said
exactly, I hate to see him tiptoe around this. As if things can be the work of the antichrist from a certain "point of view"...
I would think a monastery might function much like an individual family. A local parish, though is not the same. Though I would like to think we could function like a family, we must be willing to accommodate one another’s weaknesses, as per Romans 15:1-6.
@@gheiberg59 Many monasteries do act as a family unit, I know that in the UK the monasteries are treated as single households under the law so continued to function and conduct services even when it was not possible for multiple households to meet as their churches were regarded as household chapels.
Going berserk is never a proper response, but a wilful disobedience by the faithful was the true option. Anywhere that allowed liquor stores to remain open but church doors were closed was a disappointing failure. All we had to do was keep the doors open and keep attending services.
I went "berserk" with disobedience...to the World. And so I suffered a lot for that! But in my suffering I did call out for the help of God! Glory to God! Now I believe. So...obedience would have left me still a unbeliever!
Closing the churches shows people that you dont truly believe in God or his providence. People scared of death do not represent God.
Were you afraid of covid? Were you put in jail or charged for refusing to comply with any and all measures?
Thank God for the struggles, for they have shown us who us is true and not. They have opened the eyes of the meek.
_"St Paisos said that we should cross ourselves and eat without fear, he was the first to set an example. If he were alive today, it would be unthinkable to see him with a m4sk and gloves, keep a bottle of d1s1nf3ct4nt in his pocket, and avoid people or talk to them from a distance. He would surely calm the people and help dispel fear..."_ - Elder Efthymios of Mt Athos
_"Is this the first outbreak of a v1ru5? From what I know, during 3p1d3m1c5 the churches are open day and night and the Liturgy is offered nonstop. Some have attempted to create doubt about Holy Communion, that it can impart 1nf3ct10n. […] Do you know of a God who defeats death but transmits s1ckn3ss3s? And there are Hierarchs who tell you to change the lavida (spoon) and to dip it in d1s1nf3ctant… God forbid!"_ - Met. Neophytos of Morphou
Would Bishop Alexei say that Elder Efthymios and Met. Neophytos are just "uneducated"?
Is this a re-upload from a few years ago? It is now an undisputed fact that the vaccine didn’t slow transmission or protect others. I attended an Orthodox funeral during the pandemic and in the homily the priest said, “Faith is number one and health comes second.. because ultimately health has to come to an end. But the blessings of God never have to come to an end.” This was a big city Greek priest living in the world and not a monk from Athos. More simple and profound that what was offered here.
Love our Greek priests. My Greek father in law and his friend who is a priest held liturgies and communion during the strict lockdowns in Athens and they all hid in broom closets when the police came to arrest all the old people who wanted to attend church. This is the way, not cowering to pharmaceutical companies, corrupt political globalists, and coercive surveillance justified by fear of one’s own brother
This is not a re-upload, sadly. It's just his mindset.
Their lives on mouth Athos is “going to Church”. So you are saying our lives as the faithful in the world is not centred on going to church? Christ did not choose “educated” jews as his apostles to lead his Church. It is also not difficult for us to fast, we just have more temptations available to us in the world. When monks and saints like Saint Porphyrios and Paisios talk about current events, we do listen to them. Sadly this Bishop is talking like one of those Renovationist bishops during the Russian revolution. No we don’t sacrifice The Church. We can sacrifice everything else but the Church and our Faith.
Why does he stress that some monks are "educated" on Mt. Athos? There are monks on Mt. Athos who are medical doctors and are OPPOSED to the measures and vaccines. Bishop Alexei's own Elder, Abbot Philotheos of Karakallou, was against all of it including vaccines. Why does he say if monastics speak about current events to "smile at them, say thank you" essentially to mollify and patronize them ... are we to patronize Saint Paisios, Elder Evthymios, Elder Parthenios? God forbid. What in the world is going on here?! Justification? God help us to repent, we have plenty of it to do.
I find it hard to believe Bp. Alexei is taking such an attitude. He should surely know better. Your observation about this sounding patronizing seems disturbingly accurate. The only people I can see approving this attitude are those hostile to monasticism, which sadly apparently does describe some in the Church.
I find this strange too!
A lot of people found it hard to believe some of the things certain formerly trustworthy bishops said at the beginning of the Soviet Union. Sadly people can be influenced to think poorly.
I believe the monastics, being sobered from the worldly affairs, have thus a more sober perspective and are without the innumerable justifications we in the world must struggle to see through and beyond to remain as faithful as we can. To dismiss a monastics view on worldly current events because they have separated themselves from it, is to view the utility of a worldly paradigm somehow as a more profitable standard than our proper spiritual participation in it and response to it. I can see this bishop chose his words carefully, however, and I would be grateful for his prayers.
I think a mix is necessary. Someone who has both experience of monasticism and the world likely understands both mindsets in a way that could help him gain much wisdom in God.
It’s a modernist view influenced by demons to excuse monastics wisdom which many times has protected the church. They are and will use it to introduce gay marriage and all the lgbt stuff. All this talk of “being educated” is just more modern ideas that came from the scholastic west. Modern education has become such a strong indoctrination mechanism. Anyone who doesn’t believe me can visit any Western College campus. I encourage you to.
There are many Elders Saints that without newspapers, TV or internet, are directly informed by God about future or current important events in the world. Moreover, who in general have a more purified nous: we as wordly laymen, or the Elders? So I don't see why we shouldn't listen to them regarding to the "current events" as well. I'd absolutely trust more in St Paisios, St Sophrony or Elder Ephraim of Arizona than in myself about c0v1d, for instance - or in their remarkable spiritual sons, such as Met. Neophytos of Morphou and Elder Efthymios of Mt. Athos.
Most definitely!
🤍☦️🙏☦️
2020 was a trial run and the church at large failed the test. Please let us not allow it to happen again.
I live in Anchorage, Alaska. I was here during the pandemic. The Orthodox Church here was closed. He can say whatever he wants, but it was plain cowardice on his part. I swore I would never go back. I continue to do what I did during the pandemic. Read the Bible ,pray, and total submission to God.
Amen.
Going to liturgy is life.
damn that's a boring ass life LOL
The best thing i believe can come out of this would be for the hierarchy to discuss how to deal with any potential threats to the church. The goal would be to learn from mistakes made during the 2020 pandemic. If no one admits mistakes weren't made, there's a very good chance many in orthodoxy will only repeat what happened during 2020.
While I will attempt to remain within the rules of this channel in terms of respectfulness I feel that I must voice my opinions.
I believe that the closing of churches to the people bordered on a crime against humanity with cowardice being at its core.
For fear of man’s law and the possibility of death (perceived) these people didn’t hesitate to cast their garments on the ground and trample everything they stood for as a religion to appease their governing bodies.
It sickens me to my core and I still refuse to attend any “church” that shuttered its doors to the public during this.
It disgusts me to my core how quickly these persons of authority in the church cast aside the entire history of the church to save their own skin.
It is the most disgusting show of cowardice I have ever had the misfortune to witness.
Why defend an approach to COVID that we now know was bogus, and not only ineffective, but positively destructive?
'Doing the right thing' 'keeping up appearances' herd mentality... That is what most people adhere to. Thinking for yourself is willingness to rock the boat if necessary, some will not sacrifice anything at any cost because their own reason for being is comfort.
Perhaps it is because the bishop is actually educated and you’re intentionally misinformed.
@@lwconley2005 Sadly, it appears Fr. John is the one who has had access to real information. Just because gov’t authorities in the pocket of big pharma label the independent analysis of medical whistleblowers “misinformation” doesn’t make it so.
@@lornadoone8887 that’s nonsense. We know that the original variant has mutated since the lockdown and has gotten easier to transmit but in general is weaker as a strain. We also know the vaccines are still effective if it’s the right strain just like the flu. People who spread misinformation like this are literally going to be the same moronic anti vaccine anti mask people that we read about in the old newspapers when influenza was ravaging people… it doesn’t surprise me anymore that people are ok with spreading misinformation that can kill and hurt people.
Fr. bless! and great question!
Is His Grace deaf to both his flock and his television?
I find this wise man so warming. I am drawn to him
Glory to Jesus Christ. Your Grance, with humility, I have to say our Shepherds failed when marijuana and liquor stores stayed open as "essential" services but churches deemed as "non-essential".Bishops should have pushed back against these Covid restrictions that we clearly know now (and knew then but it was drowned out by voices who said what we now know today as true was just two years ago framed as being a conspiracist or worst).
Please do a search on UA-cam for Father Savvas Agioritis. He received one jab and tells what happened to him. It is eye opening.
In the name of love.. obeyed politicians commands to close church and stop Holy Spirit 's mysteries.
In the name of love, we lost the opportunity to give our testimony about "staying well " in the Orthodox faith and Holy tradition.
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and our weakness faith.
Very disappointed at his perspective. The devil sowed and looking now at the results, the Church is in a worse state because of our lack of faith and weakness. Lord have mercy.
God bless you, but with all due respect, unsubscribed.
His Grace needs to receive an updated version of things to say when people ask about covid-about 6 months out of date!
I mean there has been recent controversy about who said what about covid in a couple years ago, so to defend the athonites is still relevant to many who've picked up the pitchfork against people who were more loose with the covid rules or disregarded them altogether.
@@cartersims2207 The covid narrative has been updated, and the thing to say is different now. His Grace says that we shouldn't rely on the ascetics to give us reliable spiritual information about life in the world. Instead we should just look at them and smile vapidly-listening to who else, instead? Vladyka doesn't say, but apparently it's not the monks! (of which he is one, btw).
So who would His Grace have us turn to for spiritual advice regarding COVID? The epidemiologists? The government? Really? They've got such a stunning track record and all their worst fears were realized right? Hardly. Rather, it is those in opposition to the narrative that have been vindicated.
So, when will His Grace update his narrative with the new programming?
I look forward to an update regarding this as data and the large increases in mortality are wrestled with.
What do you mean?
@user-ie5qh5md5i "All case mortality" is very high in many nations. So after the Holy Mountain has had time to understand what this means I will be curious to hear what has been concluded.
@@SS-je9ue Why would it be important to, or change the opinion of, the monks of Athos? As Orthodox we are called to the life beyond and Church is of utmost importance. A little virus shouldn't have stopped us.
@user-ie5qh5md5i Your focused on trying to oppose a position I have not expressed or taken. As more information is apparent then that knowledge will require additional analysis. The monks convictions surrounding services no doubt will not change but indeed their views surround injections can.
@@SS-je9ue Right! I believe the statistics vindicate the monks who were cautious about becoming the subject of an experiment and about shutting down access to the Medicine of immortality.
Monks aren't afraid of death, but the so called educated monks that are praised by Bishop Alexei are, in fact, afraid of death.
When the monastics or saints speak of current events, listen to them, because their nous is clean and open. St. John Chrysostom and many other great unmarried saints give advice about marriage, are we not to listen to them because they weren't married? There's no logic in this whatsoever.
You're right, love requires sacrificing things but always FOR CHRIST. We sacrifice our social status FOR CHRIST. We sacrifice our jobs FOR CHRIST. We sacrifice our lives FOR CHRIST. You NEVER sacrifice something a more precious pearl for something lower. You NEVER sacrifice the ultimate Pearl: Christ. Using love to justify this is downright antichrist, because antichrist isn't only deliberate destruction: Arius believed what he preached, Nestorius believed what he preached, yet they still had the spirit of antichrist, because, again, it doesn't need to be a conscious decision. It's called deception.
You can't say we're out of C0vid as if what happened isn't important and to be glossed over. That's telling us in plain terms to not think and please forget about the evil the bishop's did and continue to support those who closed the Churches down. Why do you think that St. Mark of Ephesus is a saint when the other's who submitted to the West are condemned? We're they all deliberately evil trying to deliberately destroy the Church or just cowards like the many bishops of today? We all know it's the latter. Don't strawman the accusations.
Something about Bishop Alexei rubbed me the wrong way, but I didn't want to judge wrongfully and gave him the benefit of the doubt, but this showed my gut feeling was right.
You may think you're being careful enough with your words here, but we can all see through your rhetoric, Bishop.
Such an emotional argument. The false information and charged arguments make this a dangerous topic. What h
matters is not to be lead by a spirit of fear and to act out of love towards your neighbor. Everything else will work itself out.
Please join our prayers for our brothers and sisters in Los Angeles diocese
These comments are concerning. I for one love Bishop Alexei’s balanced approach. May God bless him!
Alas! (Don't read the comments!) Yes, he's a good man...
No plastic spoons
I agree about absolute obedience if the 10 commandments are upheld.
I found for example that different monks said different things regarding V and so I decided to go with my conscience only to be told I was going against God.
I am not a Monk but hope in time, to enter more deeply into Theosis, and obedience is a very high priority for me to follow The Holy Saints guidance, eg St. Paisios.
Not everyone can become a Monk either because of circumstances or gender but still we may desire to live a deeply ascetic life.
Forgive me please for appearing controversial on here but truly I am not trying to do this. My desire is to grow closer to The Lord in the situation I am in.
In Christ
Catherine
🙏☦️
We have many female monasteries 🥰
@@Stephanie-el4sx yes, I would dearly love to become a monastic. As it stands I only discovered Eastern Orthodoxy late in life and my commitments in the world are firmly established.
However, as we know, Gods timing is perfect and He works in us wherever we may be so long as we obey Him
Thank you for your kind response Stephanie, it means a lot to me.
☦️🤍🙏☦️
@@Stephanie-el4sx Hello Stephanie, we have only one Orthodox Monastery in England.
Hi Catherine, I am very much like you, always desired the monastic life, but unable to actually do it, namely I am not orthodox, as I’ve never been Christmated in the church, however I was born again 7 years ago, and only now have started seeking God, after much falling away and returning to the world. From my experience I’d just like to say that it’s possible to live the true Christian life of prayer and complete rejection of the world here in the world. It’s hard but it’s worth it, give yourself over to prayer, really struggle and strive and try to enter in, when you’ve tasted Gods goodness you will desire nothing else. I hope this help.
Thank you for this informative and interesting video! God bless!
Fear only God.
UnOrthodox take
Very disappointing view from his Grace! We should listen to the saints and illumined holy elders of our times, time has proven them correct because they were men of prayer and devout life and those who listened to the spirit of the world were proven wrong! Lord have mecy and save us!
Good word Bp Alexei. Thanks for this.
Well spoken. Common sense approach. Thank you.
I understand that he is striving for grace, but there is only ONE life in Christ. Anything other comparisons or dichotomies are besides the point, questionable or dubious.
☦️☦️☦️
Nobody felt loved because you wore a mask. Everyone wore them because they were forced. This is a cowardly cope out you should feared God and protected your clergy from pagan nonesense.
"We do all try to love God and to love neighbor: as Christians, love is the first and greatest commandment, and it is by love that they know we are disciples of Christ. And sometimes, that love requires sacrificing things that are precious."
-Bishop Alexei of Alaska
Jesus did not say, "They will know we are Christians by our rebelling against 'the authorities that exist by the appointment of God,' by demanding that we are allowed to go to church in spite of risking the health of the aged and the sick, and by demeaning those who disagree with us." This is a saying of the enemy.
Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
There is little love heard in the sentiment of many of these comments. Beware of what you allow into your nous.
I thought spirit was supposed to be more important than the body. If Covid was a test then the Church failed.