A moment of Grace

At times, we experience moments of grace, when words and logical 'teaching' become irrelevant. In these moments, one feels as if knowledge of God's Love is absorbed through one's skin, and prayer is a simple and natural act, which happens almost by itself, like breathing or seeing. Silent prayer, prayer alone, prayer in the forest are all ways to open to an experience of grace through prayer.
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The video was recorded by Fr seraphim Aldea, at Mull Monastery (The Orthodox Monastery of All Celtic Saints), on the Isle of Mull.

[@rcg_-bob4030]

I found out that my wife and I are having a baby girl and I was overwhelmed with joy. I can say though that the joy I have for the news doesn’t compare to the joy God has given me.

[@PaulTheHermit77]

I'm sat in a woods on an island in the sea too. Grace. Amen Father.

[@skyblue4096]

Thank you so much for your kind and healing words. Thank you so much for your love of our Lord. You, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, have helped so many of us grow closer to Christ Jesus and to all humanity and creation. Thank you and may God bless you and your community with good health and every blessing from above!

[@tommarkuson1925]

I’m Roman Catholic but I find your talks so beautiful. Speaks to my soul. God bless you🙏

[@pilgrimcarolee7294]

I could not think of a place I would rather go than the forest! Thank you Father. I love you too. You are very kind!

[@TheAmberlion]

Yes Love in every drop, word, smile .... 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@teddytheodoris6778]

The feeling of Grace is like no other. It consumes your entire being and you can’t bare but burst into tears because at that moment you realize just how much God loves you. It feels to make like the blind man who Jesus heals. When you feel Grace your spiritual eyes open, just for a few moments, and you see the truth, the love, and the Joy, awaiting for those who love Christ. Our God is so good. Jesus, glorify your name!

[@TanjindDupaCer]

Thank you, Father, for sharing with us the moments of grace with which God blesses your life and heart! Indeed, Grace makes us want to give everyone that joy in our hearts, to share with everyone from the Inexhaustible spring of joy and love. May our Lord and Savior put you in a safe place from any harm from the enemy, so that you may be a mirror of the Master, of the Lover of men, Christ Himself!

[@sheilarajan1366]

Amen,you are the personification of peace,love and sanctity a perfume of God's Love that soaks into one that has been blessed to hear you.AMEN.Remember my family in prayer.

[@zita-lein]

Oh! I would so much like to be like your first Elder, to be a means of grace to others! Prayer, prayer, and more prayer, I think. ❤

[@anitatraver568]

I feel like I'm in a spiritual desert and a little overwhelmed and depressed. your words are like soothing medicine to encourage me to keep going and stay in the presence of God despite my feelings. Thank you.

[@inpaucafidelis]

OMG Anita, me too :-( I will pray a decade for you. Please pray a decade for me!

[@anitatraver568]

@@inpaucafidelis I will pray for you too. Thank you

[@JudithMatta]

Christ is in our midst: ! His Love is energizing us all around us: "swim in His grace" as our dear Brother Seraphim urges us! This is the Love of Christ energizing us (Ephesians 1) and keeping us from all Evils and the evil one's memories or any other weapon formed against us ! We keep our dear Brother in our prayers to encourage him by the "comfort with which we are comforted in Christ" as St Paul tells us! Amen!

[@jimsmith.2144]

Anita, me too. Grateful for these videos.

[@811MainPage]

🙏

[@ally1816]

Thank you for this video Father. I am a 19 year old from Canada, who has recently discovered the Orthodox Church, and I find your videos immensely helpful. Im watching this one before Divine Liturgy this morning! Thank you for all the wisdom you give us through these videos, I hope you continue to post and stay in good health for many years to come.

[@elenamurga3308]

Oh dear Father, thank you so very much for sharing the beautiful testimony of the Old Brother and yours too, about being in silence with God!!! God bless you, I love you already and you are in my prayers now too, Mother Mary keep you near to Her loving heart!!! Thank you again!!!😊🤗🙌🙇‍♀️🙏🏽🕯📿🌹🌸🌈❤🌟💐

[@halabouabs6166]

I love what I saw. I love what i heard. I love what i felt. Thank you dear Father thank you for sharing all this beauty .

[@lenacrang4025]

Orthodoxy today is the closest we will be to Jesus - we are all blessed to be here in communion with our 'Priests' teaching and shepherding our lives ... God is Love

[@deirdrelewis1454]

It makes perfect sense. For the past 4 years I have spent much of my time in this peace. Mind you, It has taken all my life to reach this point and I am 72 years old.

[@r.m5883]

Most people dont get there , so, ❤️

[@Smile2Day2Die]

I feel the same way whenever I go to see my spiritual father. Most of the time I feel like I could sit next to him and say nothing because just being able to see him and be in his presence makes me feel like the most blessed soul in the whole world. Glory to GOD for pouring his grace upon us!

[@PoetsSoul]

You are a lovely human

[@jgil1966]

X2

[@alyssasimms]

X3

[@nannettefreitag2055]

I so agree.

[@deborahbrayton276]

Thank you, for taking us to the forest, to hear the sounds of silence. Right before the snow falls, here in the Sierras, truly, you can feel the silence, and the soft snowflakes begin to fall. Stillness

[@patredman3733]

Perfect sense. There are no words it comes in floods of tears.

[@thanasistama3943]

Thank you for sharing. Quiet, solitude is a rich way to God.

[@barbarakorczynski7133]

Thank you Dear Father for sharing your precious heart with us. The first time that I felt this Grace of God was when I was maybe 4 or 5 years old. I was laying in my Grandmothers yard and gazing at the evening sky. I felt a deep connection and presence and I instinctively knew that it was God revealing His Divine connection to me from a heavenly place. I wanted that feeling to go on forever. It was so beautiful that at age 57 I still remember that peace being so overwhelming that I was frozen in a state of utter bliss.

[@marymarysmarket3508]

I think of you often and pray you are all well and continuing to serve our Lord. 💥In Christ and His Church, Mary☦️

[@samueljones5421]

Father it is a blessing to have someone like you giving us your wisdom. Even as a Roman Catholic I hear your words and see they are so full of wisdom and love of our God. Id love to spend an hour with you myself just seeking your guidance on things, but thankfully you make these videos. God bless you Father, thank you for these.

[@meade5267]

Bless Father, Thank you for "taking us with you". Even though we are only screen to screen we can feel your love! Also thank for always showing us your beautiful island home. Another commenter on a different video said they thought their Gaurdian Angel was telling on them. I feel the same way! You have helped me more than you will ever know! Glory to God for our wonderful brotherhood☦

[@chrisamaya591]

Amen

[@elenamurga3308]

It is like for that very small moment, being alone with Him sourrended by His beautiful nature are meant only (by God our Father), and just for us!!! God loves us so so so much!!! He wants to share this beautiful moments with us (alone) sometimes!!!🥺😊🤗🙌🙌🙌🌟🌈🌸🌹💐❤🙏🏽 Thank you for sharing Father!!!

[@lilywojciechowski9906]

When this virus is over I would like to go on a pilgrimage to the monastery and walk in those woods and pray because just seeing them brings me so much joy! Thank you for today's video.

[@madelcarmencaleromolina2891]

Dear Fr Seraphim, we really appreciate you pray . You and your monastery are also in our hearts and pray. I totally agree with you, most times Grace doesn't have the need for words. Love.

[@erikcripe6192]

What you are describing is called "Divine Presence ". This connects us all in the Heart of Love.

[@normasalamanca8558]

Yes indeed, thank you for naming Divine Presence! Love and blessings from Norma❤️

[@juliaanntheresatoth3495]

Yes you got it🙏⭐️✨💫

[@Beesurvivor]

Querido Padre Serafin, personalmente halle tambien gran consuelo y mucha sabiduria leyendo los Apotegmata Patrorum, May God bless you and the rest ones at Mull Monastery and protect you from all evil.

[@Kressa1111]

I feel like when I listen to you, my better half is speaking directly to me. When I hear your words they make me miss you so much more, even though I’ve never met you. I feel so in tune and eager to hear someone else enjoys life the same way that I do and experiences the same kind of pain and struggle I do. There must be more to it than that. I am finding it so hard to understand. I just saw a video from you for the first time a few days ago and it’s like presents falling from heaven to see them. Maybe this is too strange, but I was just describing to my husband that you are that person who you are describing in your video just yesterday.

[@user-sw9es3nr8p]

Thank you share feelings of Grace Joy and Peacefulness,silence has to tell us more than we can imagine,if we just listen to the silence! Blessings and love to all the world 🇬🇷

[@jothimary8255]

I do like to be in the same grace life, father. I'm a nun, my name is Jothimary, struggling to be. Please put me and my sinful soul in your packet when ever you go to that forest and pray for me. Blessed are you dear father. 🌹

[@thaliakramer1042]

Living in the Grace of God is a truly indescribable feeling. Such a gift!

[@lucyo.]

Peace, love and joy... Thank You for sharing these fruits of The Holy Spirit with all of us! God bless You dear father Seraphim🙏☦

[@normaodenthal8009]

Thank you for sharing your walk through the beautiful forest. There is a spiritual presence in the book of nature that is beyond words. Words often just get in the way and lead from the heart back to the head. This walk reminded me of the many times I just sat on my balcony watching the leaves dance to the songs of the wind. Sometimes the lorikeets would come for some grapes, and a kookaburra would let me stroke his back and sit with me awhile before taking flight again. This was definitely grace. We sometimes seem to forget that all of creation is the body of Christ. This time last year, the bush fires started and raged for many months. It was heartbreaking. The trees bear an uncanny resemblance to our lungs; they are the earth’s lungs and the earth needs them to breathe, as do we. Our love must include the earth and all of its creatures. You are absolutely right; salvation is not found alone, but only together.

[@Elany.lyon1388]

Thank you for the serene walk and talking to us as friends. The greens and browns mixed with shadows and blue sky, it's just what I needed. I could not Express this after I saw it yesterday, every time I thought about it I would cry. One of my favorite things. Bless the Lord o my soul, and all that is within me bless His Holy name.

[@ruggermulan]

Yes, Fr. Seraphim, it makes sense what you say.... I am with you in the pocket of your heart. I am listening. I am watching. I am learning. I am in silence with you, asking God to transform me.

[@deanaburnham9571]

Don't know if youll ever read this Father Seraphim, but in a quite holy way I was able to get your wosdom love and direction. And so I thought prayerfully this was the Holy Spirit working through you to help me in my great pain. And I have been leaning into my cruciform way of life. Ive never had to fight my own weaknesses in the way i am now using the spiritual tools and weapons and armor. But it takes so much surrender. And then I rebel. Repent. And go off to my room to cry out to the Lord and pray for the grace to surrender. And repent. You've been a great help to me. Thanks be to God!

[@alexdaglas9728]

God bless you father amen

[@victorinam4106]

Multumim pentru plimbarea in padure si pt gandurile impartasite,parinte

[@rohitsahni9183]

Your blessings Father. Really blessed to hear you and feel grace around you

[@barrycartner3855]

My heart is always warmed by listening to you. A faith that is both practical and mystical all together. Being in the presence of grace. That moment when we disconnect and allow the grace of God to wash over us. "Be still and know that I am God" is my favorite Scripture. I remind myself of it often. You are a blessing to us!

[@andrewbrennan4311]

Such a beautiful teaching and appeal all wrapped up in one. I thank God I discovered your Channel

[@CrusaderSan]

Amen. Thank you Fr. Seraphim. May the peace of our Savior be with you.

[@timmarshall4881]

Thank you for such a beautiful video. It is so good to hear feelings which you express with your feelings which is also with me. My love to each one of you at the monastery. Tim Marshall

[@Jsatchel2010]

Please pray for me and my family. I am stuck in Japan living with my family in a small house with an autistic son of twenty who works in a humble job. I get very lonely not having any support except from my in laws and sometimes my husband.

[@thea1790]

Love is speaking here....tangible ! ♥️

[@LukeStultz]

Thank you for sharing this Fr. Seraphim. It reminds me of my time living in Colorado and sitting on a jutting rock overlooking a river and the mountains. There were small lizards that lived around there and one would come out every Sunday and sit with me. I always felt at peace sitting there among the majestic trees and taking in God’s creation. We are blessed whether we want to see it or not...”He is everywhere present and fillest all things.”

[@PorphyriosRamos]

Became a Catechumen a little less than 2 months ago and our parish is pilgrimaging to a monastery at the end of this month . It’ll be my first visit to one. I’m very excited. Glory to God!

[@Aswaguespack]

The Desert Fathers left their teachings and timeless wisdom as powerful examples of finding our way in the secular desert of this contemporary world we find ourselves struggling with, surrounded by the modern messages at odds with our Beliefs in God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. “Be still and known that I AM”.

[@Noobatyoutube2500]

I pray Gods loving embrace of the Holy Spirit gives you rest, confidence, more joy and many blessings.

[@mortifymortify9499]

The forest is so beautiful father! Thank you so much for sharing this experience to me. Keep us always in your prayers father, as I keep you in my prayers also. I felt so blessed to have found you in you tube. The world desperately needs someone like you father. All my prayers and love for you and the monastery 🙏🙏🙏

[@mc-vu4vh]

Sigur ca are sens parinte Serafim, pentru bucuria pe care o traiti si pe care ne-o transmiteti si noua impartasind asa de frumos starea de puritate a sufletului. Si eu cand sunt in padure am senzatia ca e ceva de nedescris, si har Domnului ca avem multa padure pe aici.

[@drjohnn.sutherland3455]

God bless you, Father.

[@DellTewahdo]

Thanks Fr. , Keep posting. May God bless your ministry. So many of us are missing this type of encouragement in this time.

[@suchisthismystery2814]

All I know is love and I find my heart infinite and everywhere. - Hafez

[@laurellelabrecque2754]

God spoke to me in church. He said I am with you my. child♥️. I felt His Love which is no Love here on earth. I also saw that all my sins are forgin. I felt God's arms around me. I didn't want Him to let me go. I cried so much. Not because of sadness but because of joy. He carries me all the time. .

[@tamasbuzai3119]

Dear Father, Tears of joy flow down my face. "My joy may be in you" (John

[@iulianadragoi7914]

You know, father... you were with me here in my forest because you've taken me to your forest and to your... wonderful thought... Thank you!

[@dimitrap5615]

The people in the comments are all wonderful and have said my feelings better than I could. God bless you all xx

[@rachelrichard2040]

Hello , I have been listening too you ,from time to time and I am a catholic, and will always be ! However you are the only one that can keep me coming back for more ! I’m always looking forward to your next video! You are truly a inspiration and gentle,loving man . We are blessed that we get to see you ,in this manner for if not , we would never get to hear your loving voice ! I as well return the love of god your way ❤️

[@johnhealy4647]

Yes, quite-ness; in all my messiness; Jesus’s Grace is only there, especially when there are issues I need to bring to him, He cleanses me and holds me in His loving arms! I am with you, I want to always be in His Holy Presence!

[@marybennett5602]

Thank you

[@annagrier]

Father Seraphim, I have been watching your videos as I paint watercolor illustrations of saints for a daily book of saints for children and families I am making. I had the joy of meeting you briefly in Atlanta. I just wanted to thank you for all of your videos. I especially loved "getting to go into the forest" in this video and truly feel like you bring us along. My 5-year-old son drew a sweet picture of you while I was watching one of your videos that I tried to share in a message on Instagram, but I'm not sure how else to let you see it. But know we appreciate your words - they speak directly to the heart much like my beloved late pastor Father Jacob Myers.

[@mdb60]

Love this video, and the woods there are beautiful. They bring to mind the Emerson quote, “ Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” ..... patience is peace. 🙏

[@j.bethsteeley6483]

Your gift is love ❤️. Thank you for sharing and may you be blessed as you bless us

[@aveonuris6041]

I used to experience that when I see the flowers bloom. I cannot help but to kiss n thank God for their beauty. I also felt God's love touching my dogs, cats n chicken. They just simply stop moving when I talk to them with love. I couldn't help but talk to God when I look up and see the clouds or greet God when I see the stars and the moon. Oh, what a lovely place to be in Love with GOD, our loving living God.

[@Darthbetel]

Feel so good now Love and pray for you all Pray for me please Peace to all

[@patrickwalsh4754]

Thank you much father!

[@andreahutchinson5783]

Hello and many thanksgivings to God for you. Mrs. Hutchinson

[@SDOV8]

Thank you for speaking to me as if I were your only audience. Thank you for your devotion to God and for sharing the Good News with us. Praise and All the Glory yo God.

[@jelenamihaljcic3722]

What a beautiful place! Thank you, Fr. Seraphim.

[@miniscaria5372]

Thank you father

[@ishiftfocus1769]

Real praise and worship to God is the love for God’s word and right doctrine. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” - 2 Tim 2:15

[@nuzzi6620]

The definition of Orthodoxy is “right worship/belief”.

[@thewingedhussar810]

Thank you so much, father! It was a joy to see this beautiful forest and to see you, too and hear your thoughts. If I may add my own thoughts to it: you talked about that "paralyzed brain" experience, when one can feel the grace of the Lord. I read it somewhere, I'm just not sure where that this 'paralyzed' state of mind is our actual, true nature. This state when we realize the nature of grace, when we are really there, in that place, in that moment and we look at the world with the innocence and wonder of a child. That's our real nature, not this anxious, stressed, selfish, forever doubtful one we carry with ourselves. And father, you always have A LOT to tell us. Even if you may see yourself as just rumbling. As in Matthew 25:31 says, "for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink". We might not be hungry and thirsty in a physical way, father, but we definitely are hungry and thirsty for the love of God. And you, father, bring us closer the love of God. You are in my prayers. Stay well!

[@anna14campbell]

Your videos help me a lot in a difficult time of my life when l need to be patient. I have anxiety and wish l could be with my love and not have to worry about anything, but since l found orthodoxy (or orthodoxy found me) lm learning to accept that the easier l want life to be the more frustrated I'll become and that my struggling gives me opportunities to grow. I'm start to make my peace. God bless you Father, we greatly appreciate you.

[@ruthshivani]

🙏🏽🙏🏽 Feeling of gods presence - nature is our most wise and eloquent guru - so BeautyFULL- Thanku - the resonance of joy vibrated through you 🙏🏽In ‘the presence’ all questions are quelled - questions can only come from mind - Thanku for sharing - such holy, sacred joy 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@jp2861]

Thanks for taking us into the forest!

[@annawhiteley3128]

Yes it makes perfect sense. Please continue the visual journey walking prayers.🧚‍♀️💜🙏

[@rejoiceangelicsoul1067]

Evlogeite, your blessing. God bless you father. May your heart be purified through God, and may you continue, through His grace, to turn the other cheek in times of accusation. May you be given the strength to fulfill the Will of God in your life with joy. Forgive me a sinner. O dear Saint Luke the Evangelist, aid Father Seraphim in his journey! 😌

[@draskobozic4976]

I love you so much father. God bless you

[@maxinehall572]

Thank you Fr Seraphim for sharing the beautiful and divinely awesome creation that the Monastery is nestled within. I often feel very close to God when out walking my dog and the beauty all around in birdsong, in the colours, in the freshness, in the scent of the flowers or woodland or even in the feel of the breeze or stillness can at times be overwhelming. I feel so blessed at these times and thankful it is such a powerful sense of Joy. I continue to pray for you and the monastery. Amen

[@renatesipos6613]

Thank you for this. I appreciate all your wisdom and videos and although not face to face it is mind to mind and since we are one in God what privilege to experience His Love in this way. My Love to you.

[@MrIvorfan]

I had no idea that such natural beauty exists on the Isle of Mull. Thank you so very much for showing it to us, and so well done too. Dear Fr. Seraphim, thank you for trying to make the world a better place by trying to make a positive difference to people’s lives. Many must be deeply moved by your profound reflections, of which I am one. You have a personality which speaks of, and for, religion in refreshing ways which I have not before encountered. I, for one, reciprocate the warmth and goodwill radiated by your heart.

[@riaris1052]

Thank you so much! May God bless everyone with joy and peace! Thank you! Thank you!

[@user-yt2od4hw2x]

I understood from experience that we can at times know that we are in the presence of Grace. I have a friend whose life has been filled with unbearable suffering for most of her life, yet she is full of love and peace and sweetness. I can feel her love for God and His deep affection for her and it floats around her and touches me. God bless you, Father.

[@richardnewall4109]

Yes - this makes perfect sense...and thank you.

[@mysticalheart8107]

Father Seraphim....i love this video and hearing about your elder who was "deaf". I hope that you share many of your moments of grace with us...they are beautiful! I hope all is well with your eyes; i'm still praying for your healing.

[@binoyjude]

I wish I was also one among you and experience this love directly. Kindly pray for me. God Bless!

[@deerhodes4689]

I’m so glad you shared your gift of grace in the forest with us.💚

[@dianebeaulac9989]

Dear Fr. Seraphim, I'm so Happy to have found your videos. You have helped me (tremendously) spiritually, given me Peace and Joy. grandmother from Canada in J.M.J. Diane

[@michellelowe7127]

This does make sense. I often spend a lot of time exploring by myself and after I see something in nature that moves me, I first, thank God, but then I wish the world could share that particular moment. This island looks so beautiful. You and your brother's and sisters are truly blessed to live in such beauty. Bless you for this channel. I have just recently been lead to this channel, but I have learned quite a bit in the videos that I have watched.

[@beccogiallo]

Your enthusiasm and joy are contagious, and the love that fills you is tangible.

[@aei2023]

Dear Brother, thank you for this!!! I felt peace. May The Lord Bless you and Keep you Safe!

[@iulianadragoi7914]

God bless your smile, Father! To me it's enough😊

[@laurellelabrecque2754]

I thank God for His awesome Love

[@brandy4716]

What a beautiful place. I miss being a child and rooming the woods in Alabama (US). You look like my brother, Father. Maybe it's the glasses. Many blessings.

[@ninasakr3843]

May you be forever blessed 🙏😇