A Protestant Learns About Greek Orthodoxy

[@FaithfulReflect]

I am a convert to Orthodox Christianity from protestantism and I really respect how the guy who made this video did so very objectively and fairly.

[@ArabChristian1]

You saw the Truth. Thank God

[@flawlessvic]

I agree. He didn't bully or cut the video to make his 'side' better. He provided some differences, but did so amicably.

[@shirleygoss1988]

J S Jesus promised to build a church! That Church is not a nebulous concept, but a visible reality.

[@FaithfulReflect]

@ while I certainly agree that being a convert to Jesus is essential, I would point out that being a convert to Orthodox Christianity is being a convert to Jesus. The Orthodox Christian church is the same church that Jesus established on the day of Pentecost and still continues to this day. One cannot become a Orthodox Christian about being converted to Christ. With that being said I firmly believe that we would both agree that the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the most important thing in all the universe and relationship with him is the pathway to Salvation. After all he is the way, the truth, and the life. All glory be to the father and the Son and the Holy Spirit now and ever unto ages of Ages amen!

[@FaithfulReflect]

@@flawlessvic I completely agree that he did an excellent job and that it is extremely rare to see people of one Faith tradition betraying a different Faith tradition in a fair and balanced light. It certainly was a breath of fresh air. If only all Christians would spend less time bickering among themselves and more time serving the lord Jesus by serving this broken and lost world!

[@BlackSilver23]

The Internet needs more content like this; non-confrontational, sincere, open and honest. Thank you.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Thanks!

[@NathanAMeyers]

There are tons of other vids which are like this over at *cosmic skeptic*

[@lindaroche1363]

Jesus was confrontational.

[@kayharker712]

Nonsense. The video should have been titled "A Protestant Learns About Greek Orthodoxy ...... and discovers it's why Greek and Russian societies are so corrupt and backward - on a par with Romans and slightly above Islam"

[@TheBaconWizard]

@The Owlets Actually, I am a big proponent of confrontation, but not violence: It should be a sacred thing in itself. But, the OP is not wrong. There is no shortage of confrontation between religions on the internet, usually from a place of ignorance. While I defend confrontation, there is always more room for understanding. Context: I am a loud atheist who loves The Bible and Genesis in particular.

[@cmoberg2036]

I was Lutheran all my life until 3 years ago...After losing our son to suicide..lost my relationship with God...and my church did not help...I went looking for Him and found him in the orthodox Christian church . I converted and found my son. peace, comfort and my Lord. Jesus Christ

[@dystopian2153]

Oh this brought me to tears. I am so very sorry for what you have been through but glad that you found a place of support in Orthodoxy. My heart goes out to you. I was raised Orthodox but I strayed to try other churches. My heart has never forgotten. I plan to return and stay. I need the support as well as I as my son is going through tough times. Again, please know that I hope you're doing well and I'm sending love and light your way. GOD BLESS

[@FaithfulReflect]

I am very sorry for your loss and can only imagine how painful that must have been. I myself am a single father to a beautiful boy and would not even want to think about how I would feel if I ever lost him. Glory and Thanksgiving be to our heavenly father for bringing you peace and comfort through this incredibly difficult trial! May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always!

[@victoriatheo6070]

God bless you!!!! Have strength in Jesus our Lord and don't give room to doubt!

[@billbill2072]

Rip to your son

[@gunner678]

Bless you!

[@jbhrs]

I'm actually converting to Orthodox Christianity now, it's going to be a hard journey but I love the people in my church, even the small orthodox enclave in a rural town in Texas is more beautiful than any evangelical megachurch.

[@heimdallwg2112]

Welcome home brother.Greetings from a Serbian Orthodox. May our Lord have mercy on us.

[@JustBillyLoL]

@@heimdallwg2112 Brother 🇬🇷🇷🇸

[@IAMFISH92]

Congrats, brother. I’m in the same boat. Unfortunately, my wife and son aren’t converting with me. Pray for me.

[@jimsaltaferos2880]

@@IAMFISH92 ill pray every night for you brother

[@jimsaltaferos2880]

Lord give you strenght

[@nebraskafootball372]

Known this priest since I was 5 years old. He is a great man, used to ask him questions all the time about God when I was little, was always very patient with me, something I would not be able to do myself.

[@Ban_Usury_Worldwide]

Really? I'm in Lincoln, is he in Nebraska?!!?!? I'd love to go meet him, I'm currently looking for a church!

[@malachi-c]

@@Ban_Usury_Worldwide In the description of this video, it says he's in Colorado unfortunately.

[@Ban_Usury_Worldwide]

@@malachi-c Ah, thank you.

[@ysteffes]

St. Francis of Assisi Church Address 1145 South St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2253

[@Ban_Usury_Worldwide]

@@ysteffes Thank you, I'll look into that, I'm going to attend Vespers at St. John of Kronstadt church this evening, but I may check out St Francis as well.

[@slavdefendov1499]

GOD BLESS ALL CHRISTIANS. Love from Serbia!

[@karlfabianoskarpettersson9383]

God bless from Sweden, Kosovo je Srbija!

[@bryanbridges2987]

God bless Serbia. Love from Louisiana. :)

[@danielandres1579]

Amen brother 🙏🏼

[@andruamaru2860]

Thanks Slav, God bless! Love from Egypt

[@swagodaman6320]

CCCC

[@LetsGoGetThem]

Don't forget your brothers of Ethiopia, Orthodox. They remained when others fell, the land of Prester John

[@oldschoolfootball9517]

Accept the Synod of Calcedon...

[@kylepietrusiewicz2749]

I wish for reconciliation my brother in Christ

[@TimeToMine830]

CRAPTASTIC I thought they were Coptic?

[@arom219]

By Othodox do you mean Eastern Orthodox or Oriental Orthodox (pre-calcedonic)?

[@kylepietrusiewicz2749]

@@arom219 both

[@jonathanmather6897]

After going through Bible college before getting kicked out for asking the “wrong” questions, I was left with loads of inquiry and nowhere to go. Two years later I’m so happy to have uncovered the ancient faith in Orthodoxy. So many questions answered, so much confirmation from the Holy Spirit, and so much peace. I haven’t participated in the church services, but I have found the theology to make the most absolute sense.

[@michaeldavidson6903]

I strongly encourage you to participate in the services my dude. Participating in Orthodox worship will strengthen your faith in ways you could never imagine.

[@AmayaUsagiTenshi]

Same! I didn’t go to seminary, though I wanted to. I was struggling with questions about my faith and discovered orthodoxy and I’ve been trying to research it more. Love everything I’ve seen, it seems RIGHT. I have such a hard time d paining it to my friends who are Protestant though. I have to study more so I can have a deeper understanding, I want to know more

[@sashenkadumerve3017]

Amanda Tenshi me too, I’m not a convert but I am questioning Protestantism

[@MrWesford]

@Pedro Ivan Sanchez You should find an Orthodox Church near you.

[@TGuard00014]

@@MrWesford Not always an option, the one closest to us is 200 miles away. (I’m not orthodox but have been looking into orthodox faith a lot lately.)

[@smartereveryday]

"We're the ones with problems". Ain't that the truth. Enjoyed this interview very much.

[@AstroStrongBox]

SmarterEveryDay We make mistakes for sure, because we don't have all possible inputs. But do babies really have problems?

[@Joshula337]

Blaze Sanders They have the problem that they will die. If they are baptized into Christ then they both died and I raised up within Him. Even if someone can skirt through life without any personal conscious sin, They still live with in a fallen world and within fallen flesh. So if anything babies especially deserve a path to salvation simply because they are going to suffer from the effects of being in a fallen world.

[@snowice3837]

Weird to find you here. Lol 😂. I enjoy watching your videos.

[@AGENT47ist]

@@Joshula337 babies don't have sin, they are newborn souls, from The Creator. Babies are pure and light.

[@Joshula337]

AGENT47ist I didn’t say they have sin. I said they have death. They will learn sin because they are not born into a perfect world.

[@Byzantios1]

Nice to see Christians being able to sit down like mature adults and have a respectful discussion.

[@7.62mikemike3]

Right, true christianity only needs to be compared to the bible for authenticity, I don't worry about the name of their denomination, I wish all Christians would get along

[@shaami8622]

@CAVKING19DELTA TEXAS never thought i can find the word "muslims" in a christian discussion reply section. 😊

[@c0nstantin86]

well then your liberal heart should rejoice cuz in the Bible God said that the Anti-Christ will unite all denominations into one world gangbang of a religion. "I did not come here to bring peace, but a sword" - Amen!

[@justforever96]

You seem to imply that's something unusual to see. In my experience Christians are generally a lot more willing to sit down and calmly discuss things than people who are opposed to Christians and religion in general. They tend to prefer making sarcastic comments, alluding to the ignorance of the "fanatics" and calling them all manner of names.

[@orisdearborn850]

Hi brothers and sisters! Despite different traditions, and disagreements, and different smells I think the Nicene Creed defines us as One Church. We are going to spend eternity together.

[@samkhalil3784]

“The Orthodox Church is evangelical, but not Protestant. It is Orthodox, but not Jewish. It is Catholic, but not Roman. It is not non-denominational, it is pre-denominational. It has been believed, taught, preserved, defended, and died for.”

[@lornelz]

one day, as Christ prayed for and asked of the Apostles, the church will be one again.

[@gilbertcheng3862]

Aptly, put. Is that a quote from somewhere?

[@samkhalil3784]

@@gilbertcheng3862 I got it from a premier for Lent

[@stansmith4054]

My brain just exploded!

[@SanjayFGeorge]

That was one awesome description ! Well put.

[@longball756]

As someone who grew up Roman Catholic.. all I have to say is WOW... that is truly a beautiful church... God bless the Orthodox tradition!!

[@ddosddos297]

Православие это Истина, глава Православной Церкви это Господь. Православное учение идёт от жизни Господа и не прерывалось 2000 лет. Будьте с Богом и спасайте душу.

[@MrAdamsanto87]

You'll enjoy a Byzantine Catholic mass, full communion with Rome.

[@ThatOneManYouTube]

@@MrAdamsanto87why would i need Full Communion with Rome when i want Full Communion with God… I spit on Rome and these Earthly places

[@MrAdamsanto87]

@@ThatOneManKZbin you're doing great at exemplifying Christ-like behavior 🤡

[@Compulsive-Elk7103]

​@@ThatOneManKZbinprot L

[@FaithEncouragedTV]

Matt, thanks for giving us Orthodox a listen. I'm a former protestant pastor, now Greek Orthodox priest, and I really resonated with your questions and my buddy Chris' answers. God bless.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

You bet! Chris was a delight!

[@christianv8676]

One word....Reformation

[@RevGary]

You were Protestant else you'd not have become a turncoat to paganistic greek idolatry.

[@sofia2moro]

Bless you father❤👍👍👍👍

[@bodoarca]

Did you find Jesus? Shalom!

[@mowbry2809]

I am a Roman Catholic and really enjoyed looking inside this Greek Orthodox church, as I have always wanted to know what they looked like. It is a very beautiful cathedral. For obvious reasons, I do not agree entirely with the father, however, his humility and love for God shone through. Thank you for filming this, it is a worth while journey you are on. Peace be with you and God bless you.

[@benjaminharris5033]

Catholics and Orthodox Christians have beautiful churches! I’m proud to be catholic!

[@Eowyn3Pride]

Love...Icons...😍

[@CyprusHot]

What did you not agree with?

[@annesuzy]

Mow Bry im Catholic too. 🌸

[@jonanalex5904]

Michael Deltz yep several mistakes but that’s classic of them referring to the Catholic Church

[@SethMason88]

"The holy spirit doesn't got problems, we're the ones who've got problems." Love that so much!

[@jongmagee]

I love the "chillaxed" attitude of the father. Really feels quite down to earth.

[@Jordan-hz1wr]

Most orthodox priests I know are! Very chill people. Almost as if they have nothing to prove.

[@CATboss001]

As a catholic, I really respect our orthodox brothers and sisters.

[@Pepe13Pew]

Thanks for that. If you've ever been in an Eastern Catholic church it looks scarcely different from an Eastern Orthodox church on the inside. The same icon styles the frescos, the altar, the incense, etc. It shows how we were all one church at first.

[@AmericanaGardens]

Orthodox are Catholic but we are not Roman Catholic.

[@GamingMaster13]

really love to see sometimes for my own eyes a orthodox church. Like the interior

[@TruthBeTold7]

We are not your brothers. You are a schismatic heretic.

[@quoththeraven5631]

@@AmericanaGardens Orthodox are not in union with the Holy See, therefore orthodox are not Catholic. There are 23 churches within the Catholic Church. . .Orthodox is not one of them.

[@MariosDoumou]

As a Greek I can say you found a great guy, Father Chris.

[@snina9651]

"I don't understand that in the Protestant world's it's like once you're dead you're gone. Why? Because you can't donate anymore?" Lmao Savage.

[@gregmoldovan5921]

That was awesome! Also his comment about governments adopting the dome in buildings.

[@Nonnobisdomine77]

😂

[@Gideon_Judges6]

Uhh probably because communicating with the dead, even dead ancestors, is necromancy and prohibited all over the Bible including Duet. 18:9-13

[@Nonnobisdomine77]

@@Gideon_Judges6 so you're telling me there is no life in Jesus after death 🤔

[@Gideon_Judges6]

@@Nonnobisdomine77 I'm telling you that the resurrection of the dead hasn't happened yet... or rather, I'm repeating what the Bible says.

[@ΔοσίθεοςΤρνηνητς]

Greetings from Serbian orthodox👋🏻 Bless you all my friends♥️ I have to say that Greek churches are totaly same as Serbian but only the chairs are different! I was in Greece, and I love how we love and worship our faith, so beautiful!!!

[@ΔοσίθεοςΤρνηνητς]

@Greek_In_Serbia 2!!! I agree with you in some way. But these two are not same at all. We may have same cross and icons and religion but our traditions and dates are werry dofferent. Χαιρετισμό 👋🏻

[@Србомбоница86]

They have chairs which surprised me

[@selampomi5739]

Greetings from an Ethiopian orthodox the difference i saw is that we do not wear shoe when we inter the church. But the chairs didn't surprise me much cause we have them in some of our churches to

[@emZee1994]

@@Србомбоница86 I think that's an American/Western thing. Here in Australia a lot of Orthodox churches are former Protestant churches which are renovated. They usually keep the pews becuase they are glued down. Also because of culture I think westerners would be less interested in going to try the Orthodox Church if they had to stand

[@elliotdavies1418]

@@selampomi5739 Monophysites are not Orthodox.

[@magikarpolycarp]

Former Evangelical currently converting to Orthodoxy. This video and comment section restored some of my faith in humanity.

[@callummackay4282]

I’m not Christian but I have an urge to go to an Orthadox Church after seeing this. That gave such a feeling of family.

[@noahjohnson2611]

Did you go?

[@callummackay4282]

@@noahjohnson2611 There are none near me sadly so I have yet to go because of covid!

[@lizzkaayako2270]

@@callummackay4282 Once you get a chance, go and see. The Orthodox liturgy is an experience of beauty...especially as you experience it for the first time. And what's just as great is that no one there will try to hassle you into converting.

[@ኢትዪጵያህይወቴ]

May GOD leads you to the light seek him look for a church praying for you🤲🏽

[@Greekorthodoxgirl-w2p]

I am Greek Orthodox, and church always feels like a family gathering, we are all very close and grew up with each other. Two days ago someone joined our faith, and everyone welcomed him with open arms.

[@FolkBoyify]

I’m Greek Orthodox and when I first saw this video, I was amazed by the peaceful nature of this Protestant. I’ve run into some who were very aggressive, and some who were kind. ☦️

[@FolkBoyify]

@Rachelle Hagenbuch It comes with an Iphone update. I don't know if Android has it, but I know Iphone does.

[@berno8535]

Yeah, but that's a little discriminatory though. I met many a Catholic that were aggressive and insulting as well as Orthodox members. Also some that were kind. Extremists and hateful fakes are everywhere, don't limit to just one group.

[@expecttheunexpected8070]

I know many aggressive Orthodox ppl too :) Its how much we follow Christ what determines whether we are Orthodox or not..not where we are born

[@iamhomeless8594]

That sounds like interacting with most people. Some are nice and some aren't.

[@ΠαῦλοςΠαυλίδης-χ7θ]

@Rachelle Hagenbuch ☦️🇬🇷

[@christinahanna7957]

I loved Mat’s characterization of the Orthodox Christian church as a “round table” gathering of witnesses. This is indeed exactly what it is! Not only are the people attending witnesses of the mysteries but also all of the people we have depicted on our walls (the saints, apostles and “martyrs” which literally means witnesses) are all also present for this round table heavenly gathering of church services. Our God is the God of the living; those saints who chose to love Him back are now in a new life (eternal life) with Him. Thanks so much for this video, Matt! On a side note: Fr. Chris did a great job answering questions accurately. Just to clarify one point, we, as Orthodox Christians, believe that “hell” is a state of being. God loves every single person more than one can fathom. When we choose to love Him back (because He loved, currently loves and will always continue to love us first) then we enter into heaven with Him; the bliss of being with Him. However, when we choose not to love Him then we enter into hell. A state of being tormented by His love that we consistently reject. I believe that this is what Fr. Chris was also trying to say here. There are beautifully written books on the topic!

[@pospouris]

“martyrs” which literally means witnesses). You are wright and wrong at the same time. A martyr, as is mentioned in church, is somebody that was tortured, and endured all suffering for witnessing Jesus as Lord and Savior. So the difference of somebody in the church to be called a martyr, from another, let's say in a court of law, that is also called a martyr, is that the one in church endured pain and suffering.

[@DeadPool----]

Brother help me i dont understand is the chris guy catholic or orthodox? Is he a priest? Why is there a colar? This is an orthodox church for sure but what is happening?

[@froyo9674]

@@DeadPool---- that is an orthodox priest and he goes by Father Chris

[@Phantom-xp2co]

​@@DeadPool----who told you orthodox priests don't wear a collar?

[@DeadPool----]

@Phantom-xp2co no one it's just uncommon, if he indeed is it's the first time I see one🤣

[@Rusty_Shakleford]

Dude... The Orthodox believe The Bible is Divinely Inspired by God. They just know how it came about to be. It did not fall from the sky instantly compiled

[@titofeliz7416]

Well, yes and no. I find that different factions of the church use different definitions. Also, the different beliefs of theology and ecclesiology will have a huge effect on how you view of what scripture is and what you can do with it.

[@johnpearlstein5657]

I wish he would correct that in the video. I know it was a matter of innocent misinterpretation but a lot of people will hear this and be misinformed

[@CarolineJoyAmico]

Yes. That’s the only misunderstanding in this video. We Orthodox DEFINITELY know the Bible to be divinely inspired.

[@sjappiyah4071]

Andres Sicairos Protestants also don’t believe it was instantly compiled, however we don’t just believe as Father Chris said “we do whatever we want with it” 23:55 we also believed that the compilation of the Text was divinely inspired, and used reason to determine what belongs within and what doesn’t. Peace and Blessings brother

[@jgw5491]

@@sjappiyah4071 And the Orthodox/Catholics were the ones divinely inspired to compile it as it was and they wanted it that way. The scriptures weren't originally compiled just like the King James Bible or Luther's Bible.

[@heyfitzpablum]

As a Greek Orthodox Christian I appreciate this opportunity to present the tenets of our Faith. Thank you!

[@DanDelzell]

I like your statement that their building is designed to make the people feel part of the church, rather than express the superiority of the church. It was a beautiful building and if that's their design philosophy I could get behind that. We've lost too much of church as a community.

[@Rubberglass]

Daniel Delzell Yep! Loved that too.. we need more art in our Protestant churches.

[@niko95sw]

Regarding the building it's truly a shame that the Greeks have adopted pews in recent decades.

[@LauraBeeDannon]

@@Rubberglass just become Orthodox or Catholic. Easy peasy.

[@thronethrower4540]

@blueisbeautiful As an outsider looking in, most of ancient Greek history was different groups of Greeks fighting each other and occasionally killing Persians. So I don't think there ever really was much love between Greeks to begin with.....

[@dejancavic6618]

@blueisbeautiful Divine liturgy is meant to be understood.

[@davidbolt9566]

This dude is one of my favorite protestant youtube personalities! Always having a cool head and an open heart. Thanks man!

[@wheresmyeyebrow1608]

"This place smells different from Protestantism"

[@ddylla85]

And without being there I knew exactly what he meant.

[@GeekyGarden]

@@ddylla85 As a Baptist who has visited a Greek Orthodox church before, he's not wrong. Also, "church basement" is it's own thing. Similar to "old library", but different.

[@jamesanthony5874]

Knew what he meant immediately. Was raised in a series of churches, and while I wouldn't go so far as to say that each denomination (of the 3,500 Christian denominations) has it's own smell, there's definitely a difference between the smell of the ones that use incense or candles and the ones that don't.

[@unique32journalist]

Yep-that smell is incense, beeswax (from candles) and olive oil. ☦️

[@edmundkemperffsivegonepc5736]

@@Levendi yes that's the smell

[@musaali4107]

As a Muslim, I really find these videos interesting learning about the different expressions of Christianity. Thanks for the videos.

[@gwodark]

Musa Ali I appreciate your openness!

[@novazemlja2921]

@@Eowyn3Pride Both deny Jesus Christ as the living God, so tell me how exactly they believe in the same God as Catholics or Christians in general?!

[@novazemlja2921]

@@Eowyn3Pride You realize Christians came before Muslims, so once again how are they your elders in faith? Who is feeding you this nonsense?

[@AFR0MAMBA]

Nova Zemlja yup, Jesus had always been there since the beginning so the Jews are no even the “elders” muslims are like distant relatives. Very distant

[@musaali4107]

Eowyns Pride Judaism is the older faith of the three Abrahamic religions- out of this came Christians and out of Christianity came Islam. Islam has more in common with Judaism than it does Christianity in terms of rules. Muslims believe in the old and New Testament but differ on who Jesus is- they don’t believe him to be a son of God but instead a messenger of God.

[@blacksheep_77]

Our interpretations are the ones with problems!!! What an awesome statement. Matt, I have been away for a while but you are hitting something that I find to be central to my convictions. The ability to approach other believers and have a honest conversation without it becoming ugly and accusative. I have serious issues with the drama and division that surrounds theological debate, and you have shown me that there are human beings that can handle not getting offended at another communities search for proper worship. I hope your relationship with Chris continues down the road, he seems like a very good brother.

[@nannykat1057]

I am a Lutheran (LCMS) and I seriously like this video on the Orthodox church....thank you for these insights! I would like to attend an Orthodox Worship service...when this 'stay home' order is lifted.

[@pospouris]

I'm an Orthodox Christian and I want to warn you that when you attend an Orthodox Worship service, you will discover where the word mess came from.

[@nannykat1057]

@@pospouris Do you mean it can be 'confusing'? If so....then it's probably not much different from our Worship service as perceived by newcomers... ;-)

[@pospouris]

@@nannykat1057 No , I mean, well I'm actually talking of what's happening in Cyprus or Greece, when you go to the church you will sit there to listen to the priest doing his stuff, but you cannot concentrate because the one next to you is talking about cooking and the one in front of you is talking about what her neighbor does or how much grocery she have to buy or what her hairdresser told her and so on and so on........ that's why is a mess, but don't let me get you to have a negative thought about it. We have it like this for ages and we love it, well, we get used to it at least, but it's not everybody's cup of tea.

[@nannykat1057]

@@pospouris Whaaat?!! The congregation 'chats and visits' during the Service?! Ooohh no... I can't imagine even that. Worship is a very reverent time in the LCMS …. You have indeed shocked me. LOL

[@26alexxkidd]

@@pospouris to be fair, people go to the masses all the time they know it by heart, it's only natural to talk about other stuff during it lol. That's what church in a way, like in ancient Greece, a gathering of people to come together

[@saintirinithemartyr]

Thank you Father Chris! I am a convert from Baptist to Holy Orthodoxy! Every protestant should learn the roots of Christianity . Before I became an Orthodox Christian I lived across the street from that church in Denver! Great video Matt.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Thanks Keri!

[@princeofpeace794]

Keri Grandalski I was orthodox my whole life before 4 years he appears to me in my dream. Orthodox is full idolatry.. they make idols pictures status. The Bible clearly don’t say make any pictures or idols it’s wrong . You need to be born again. The catholic and orthodoxs do many unbiblical things.!!

[@lessthandust]

@@princeofpeace794 Have you been just traditional orthodox or had you also a personal relationsship with Christ?

[@cvijn6923]

@@princeofpeace794 Look at Exodus 26:1. In God’s commands to Moses concerning the taber­nacle, given just a few chapters after the giving of the Ten Commandments, is this instruction: “Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains woven of fine linen thread, and blue and purple and scarlet yarn; with artistic designs of cherubim you shall weave them.” A similar command with respect to the Ark of the Covenant instructed Moses to have two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat. God said, “And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, of all things which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel” (Exodus 25:22). Here are images directly connected with the presence of God, and commanded by Him. From the very earliest years of the Church, Christians used such symbols as the cross, the fish, the peacock, the shepherd, and the dove. And early Christian tombs and catacombs bear paintings which are representations of biblical scenes. For example, the fourth century Church historian Eusebius tells us that outside the house of the woman in the Gospels with a hemorrhage cured by Christ was “a bronze statue of a woman, resting on one knee and resembling a suppliant with arms out­stretched. Facing this was another of the same material, an upright figure of a man with a double cloak draped neatly over his shoulders and his hand stretched out to the woman.” Eusebius goes on to say, “This statue, which was said to resemble the features of Jesus, was still there in my own time, so that I saw it with my own eyes” (Church History, Book 7, Chapter 18). He tells us further that portraits of the Savior and of Peter and Paul had been preserved, and that he had examined these with his own eyes as well. In that very same century the famous bishop and theologian, Saint Gregory of Nyssa, tells of being deeply moved by an icon of the sacrifice of Isaac: “I have seen a painted representation of this passion, and have never passed by without shedding tears, for art brings the story vividly to the eyes.” His friend and contemporary, Saint Gregory Nazianzen, writes of the persecution of Christians by the cruel Emperor Julian the Apostate: “The images venerated in public places still bear scars of that plague.” The witness of many other great early Church writers bears out the same truth. Icons were known and venerated in the earliest centuries of the Church. All right. So the early Church made and possessed images-or icons, as we call them in a transliteration of the Greek word for images. And the Christian faithful honored or venerated them. But does this fit with the biblical warning concerning images? The command in question is from the Ten Commandments: “You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself any carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth be­neath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God” (Exodus 20:3-5). Note that the context shows that the term “graven image” is used to refer to an idol-an image created to be worshiped as a god. Could this mean there are in the Bible two classifications of image-true images and false images? Appropriate images and in­appropriate images? If so, how do we distin­guish between them?

[@kharu1975]

Well done Wellcome to the Holly Ortodox Church Now i can call you sister !

[@sophiedegaramo9046]

Most respectful comment section I have ever seen

[@marcberube3729]

Alleluia! Love you all. May we cling together as brothers with our Christ-focused similarities being in the forefront.

[@MalachSafarad]

Wow... Great video... I had a similar experience... Orthodox ppl are amazing... When i was pastoring a church in San Diego... I put out an add on the web that I needed basic stuff supplies to launch our kids Sunday school... And the orthodox responded by donating desks, tables, kids chairs, whiteboards, and office supplies...

[@lizzkaayako2270]

13:14 Brother, I'm an Orthodox Christian and I've never heard *that* particular feeling described better by Orthodox lips. Christ bless you and your Work.

[@Agras14]

This looks like an Americanized version of a Greek Orthodox Church. There are some differences if you have visited an Orthodox Church in Greece.

[@EliasKolovos]

well put

[@Agras14]

@blueisbeautiful I don't know from where you are from, but you seem to generalize too much. My comment mostly had to do with the environment that i saw in the video, not the character of the Christians that participate in it, nor their traditions. I notice anger in your comment. Eastern Orthodoxy is very religious, i would say the most religious sect of Christianity. I don't know what you have experienced there in relations to Orthodox Christians, but you should visit a real Orthodox country, absent the multicultural fabric of America, in order to have a more solid picture of what Orthodox Christians are like, real Orthodox Christians. That aforementioned aim to make money is seen all over American religious institutions, and not that very prominent in Orthodox Christianity, which is a very organized religious institution with ties to the traditional countries it originates from. It doesn't really need donations, it has many revenues and ways of making it through. Last, those "stupid" "village" "traditional" dances are there to impress no one, just for the local national organizations to preserve whatever tradition they are able to preserve, considering their foreign environment and their intermingling with foreigners, but as a side note, they are nothing like the ones we see in Greece, which are more accurate and more beautiful than what you see in multi-cultural America. There are also other gatherings, of a more local (pertaining to their places of origin in Greece) nature, which are not open festivals but simply for the community and these are usually more honest and even have bands who have travelled from Greece to play for them. The Greeks of America and other countries have to a large extent lost their fire and unique character, that's not a rule of thumb but an observation of mine after a dozen or so visits to America, i even saw this in the Greek national parade of New York on the 25th of March, which is nothing like the parades in Greece, but simply put an industrialized form, a result of American interaction i would say. That said, real Greek religiousness and cultural traditions are much more potent than what you have expressed in your comment above. There are many converts from Catholic and Protestant churches to Orthodoxy, because the vast religious richness is there for whoever wants to exploit it. The tradition of the Church Fathers and the Saints never seized in Orthodoxy. The Orthodox monastic traditions are alive and well with a lot of wisdom. You don't have to be a convert to appreciate it, many non-Orthodox people confirm all these.

[@Agras14]

@@ehablabib8803 I know mate. Even the Orthodox Patriarchates of Alexandria, Jerusalem, and Constantinople are Greek Orthodox. Regardless of that, Orthodox Christians worldwide are the most religious sect of Christianity. Thanks for the reply, be well.

[@Agras14]

@@ehablabib8803 Nice to hear that brother, take care.

[@Gankzillorated]

russian orthodox churches are not much different. Kind of like a minecraft/npc version of the real thing. Still, much better than what the locals call churches, which are basically just warehouses or sheds.

[@incredibleindia0001]

I am protestant . i love orthodox, catholics and all in jesus name .

[@risingdawn5788]

So am I and I also love them.. that doesn't mean their doctrine or true or that they're even saved. Love delights in the truth, and that's why I protest much of catholic doctrine, as well as orthodox, as well as protestant doctrine that is contrary to the teaching of the word of God.

[@internetexplorer4858]

@7878 stew Mother Mary is the new ark of the covenant. In the old testament, the Jews faced towards the ark of the covenant when they worship God. If you want to look at God, look at our Mother,, she will show him to you. “Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.” --Saint Maximilian Kolbe

[@Diverso3000]

Protestants are man made religions. Orthodox and Catholic churches date back to Jesus Christ.

[@tibarobert1172]

INCREDIBLE INDIA love u too,,..Catholic here

[@deepblue3682]

Hindus??..

[@farhan00]

I'm a Muslim - I find Orthodoxy very interesting. Thanks for your honest presentation, we share the same attitudes in how to approach these issues. Subbed!

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Thanks and welcome!

[@pygmygiant]

Assalamualaikum! I love finding respectfully curious people in the comments from other religions. I’m Jewish and also fascinated.

[@LukaSjekloca]

lyraface Shalom alekhem, buddy

[@2dimitropolis370]

Then why you kill us so much?

[@LukaSjekloca]

2 dimitropolis Because of stupid fundamentalists and naive people who really think that killing us „infidels“ is good

[@Valyoungdaughter]

I've been a member of many Christian churches but when I started going to the Orthodox church, I felt fully at home and accepted. It was not the people in the churches, they were great. My feeling of being truly not being an outsider is God. I'm not yet allowed the communion as I have to go through classes but I am accepted by God. I'm finally home.

[@Christisking1911]

Same here

[@tezi21]

I love that he took off his hat, even though Father Chris told him it's okay for him to wear it. It's like the sacredness and holiness of the space moved him to do so.

[@TheJwbooth]

I was an atheist most of my adult life. No one judged me, hated me or doubted my sanity. But when I became a Catholic! Contempt, suspicion, traitor, unAmerican, "I used to think you were smart", all from friends and relatives who had very little knowledge of their own denomination and could not tell you why they joined one specific group out of 66,000 except that it was closest to their house

[@theoneoutofnazareth]

Hi dude! My wife and I discovered your channel roughly 2 years ago. She was totally captivated by the different church visits, especially the Orthodox parishes. This video above along with some Theoria videos, etc were our first exposures to Orthodoxy and it has been absolutely life changing. We started attending a small parish in Georgia last February and we’re recently received into the church as converts from Non-denom / charismatic stream of the faith: think Hillsong and Bethel Church. Thank you for providing an avenue for folks to learn about Orthodoxy. It has helped to restore my faith in Christ, rebuild my marriage, and provide the structure and setting I know I need to be a good father to my kiddos.

[@SomneDist]

Δεύτε λαοί άσωμεν άσμα Χριστώ τώ Θεώ. Greetings from Greek Cyprus.

[@Милошелики]

Cyprus is Greek like Kosovo is Serbia :) God Bless

[@SomneDist]

Милош Тасић Well said!!! God bless orthodoxy, brother!

[@littlecypriotbarbie8671]

Ο Θεός μόνο με την μετάνοια θα μας ελευθερώσει, ας μετανωήσουμε 💕🙏🏻

[@26alexxkidd]

Αμήν

[@yuseinali3013]

It's nice you said Greek Cyprus 'cause we all know there's also a Turkish Cyprus 😊

[@matmar10]

Him: "You know who stole the dome, right?" Me (Muslim): ... uh ... Him: "The government! Because they want to watch over you and collect your taxes." Me: 👏👏👏

[@_____c___482]

Matthew Joseph Martin 😂 😂

[@oneman80840]

From a house to honor the one true God of Abraham…to a pagan temple adorned with images of Greek deities truly 😔

[@borkmapper7419]

mashallah my friend, from the great plains of minor asia you've come. From the great steppe and orient, the far way across your beau... ohh wait you are Musim. I thought the religion.. Yeaaa....

[@matmar10]

@@borkmapper7419 Haha yes that was a typo. I've fixed it.

[@merrilllangs]

Or the gov was Christian 😉

[@hazzatube7505]

Matt - you have a very compassionate and respectful interview style.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Thanks! I was there to learn and Father Chris was kind enough to give me his time and thoughts.

[@yosiefghebre6831]

am orthodox chirstian from east africa and am glad to learn more about the concept of salvation. God bless you all in yesus name.

[@RideAlongside]

Love it Matt. Thanks Father Chris for your help in teaching all of us about the Orthodox Church.

[@sluga_u_hristu]

@@NadaVerse "Did Jesus mean that we should never refer to our earthly father as 'father' (Matthew 23:9)? Is it wrong for Catholics to refer to their priests as 'father'?" Answer: It would be confusing for God to give the fifth commandment in Exodus 20:12: “Honor your father and your mother” and then later restrict us from calling our earthly father “father.” Matthew 23:9 states, “And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and He is in heaven.” The context of Matthew 23:9 tells us that referring to one’s biological father as “father” is not what Jesus is speaking about. In Matthew 23:1-12, Jesus is denouncing the Jewish scribes and Pharisees for rejecting Him as their Messiah, in particular for their hypocrisy in elevating themselves above others with titles such as “teacher” and “master.” The Jewish teachers affected those titles because they supposed that a teacher formed the man or gave him real life. They sought, therefore, to be called “father,” as if they were the source of truth rather than God. Christ taught that the source of all life and truth is God, and no one ought to seek or receive a title that properly belongs to Him. No one should be as revered as God is.

[@sluga_u_hristu]

@@NadaVerse Roman Catholics call their priests “father,” and the Pope is the “holy father.” Abbots take their title from the Aramaic word abba, which means “father.” This is clearly unbiblical. The priest as “father” is problematic. In the case of “holy father,” there is no doubt this title is unbiblical. No man can take on the title of “holy” anything, because only God is holy. This title gives the Pope a status that is never intended for any man on earth. Even the apostle Paul made no claim to holiness, referring to himself as the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). Although as Christians we have exchanged our sin for the righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), holiness will not be attained until we are in heaven and have left the last vestiges of our sin natures behind. Until then, the Pope has no more holiness than the average Christian and is not entitled to be called “holy father.” What about the apostle Paul’s reference to “our father Abraham” and his implication that he himself is a father to Timothy and Titus? When Paul refers to Abraham as “our father” in Romans 4:12, he is not making the same mistake as the Pharisees. Paul is saying that the promise that saves us was first given to Abraham who in faith believed. Paul is pointing out that God began His plan of redemption of all nations with Abraham and that Abraham is the model of justification by faith, apart from the Law (verse 3). Paul is not raising Abraham to God’s level or assigning an official title to Abraham but merely acknowledging his faith. Abraham is the metaphorical “father” of all who believe in Christ in the sense that he is the prototype of faith. When Paul calls Timothy and Titus his “sons” (see 1 Timothy 1:2, 18; 2 Timothy 1:2; and Titus 1:4), he is merely stating that he was a father figure to those whom he taught the gospel to. Paul committed himself to teaching, correcting, and training his protégés. He was more than a teacher to Timothy and Titus; he was like a father because he loved them so much and was a guide to them in their ministries. Paul was not putting himself in the place of God, and he never required anyone to call him “father.” In referring to Timothy and Titus as his children, Paul was expressing his love for them. Paul cared for them as a father loves his children and seeks their welfare. Just as there is nothing wrong with using the word father metaphorically, there is nothing wrong with calling our earthly parents “father” and “mother.” In doing so we are not giving our parents an elevated title or position that belongs only to God. Our earthly parents are worthy of honor, and we are to honor our parents daily in the spirit of Exodus 20:12, Matthew 15:4, and Ephesians 6:1-3.

[@sluga_u_hristu]

@@NadaVerse Spirit of the Lord be with you. I just gave you answer that I found on google, I could do it by myself but I wanted to give you extensively answer. Father not like earthy father but Holy One, whom all Glory and Honor belongs. God Bless You!

[@sluga_u_hristu]

@@NadaVerse Bog te Blagoslovio sestro, da sam znao da smo iz istog korena pricao bih nasim jezikom. Mir Isusa Hrista, naseg Spasitelja neka je sa tobom! Amin.

[@Joshualbatross]

The Orthodox Church is the church which Christ Himself ministered in the 1st Century. There is no truer expression of Christianity than Orthodoxy.

[@lupinthe4th400]

Exactly!

[@Shaw4123]

When did he do that source please

[@manofchange832]

As far as I read on the bible Jesus observed Judaism till his last days.

[@Joshualbatross]

@SteinbrecherBack I'm assuming you adhere to Sola Scriptura? The Orthodox Church is the source of the Bible. St. Luke was the first iconographer and is credited with the first depiction of Mary cradling the Christ child. The Orthodox expression of faith is the continuation of the Bible's story unto the world. Without Orthodoxy, there is no Bible, no tradition, no religion. As for tradition, icons actually predate the Bible in terms of what has historically been available to laypeople for means of worship. They are not idols. Orthodox Christians do not worship icons, rather they venerate the saints who are depicted in the icons. Widespread literacy is a generally recent phenomenon, and before it people learned of the Biblical stories through iconography and word of mouth (Before about 1500, books were difficult to make, very expensive, and not widely available).

[@sachemofboston3649]

Disagree, Catholicism is Christianity in its truest form.

[@timster1995]

The Orthodox Church ⛪️ is one of the most ancient churches of Christian culture. Go to the service and you’ll hear the choir and the traditions are expressed in an ancient way and the art as you see it’s amazing 😉.

[@georgekoul]

Actually it is the most ancient not one of the most. First Christians were Greeks and specific a Greek woman named Lydia

[@vlad.the.impaler.]

@@georgekoul first christians were jews bro

[@georgekoul]

@@vlad.the.impaler. not exactly. They are Jews not Christians. It's the same but also not the same. Christian belief has many differences. So there is no point in your message. Get the facts correct.

[@vlad.the.impaler.]

@@georgekoul the first Christians were the 12 apostols bro.. Just think for 2 secs before replying

[@georgekoul]

@@vlad.the.impaler. Christian faith based on Christ first and the holy Trinity(Πατήρ, Ιός και Άγιο Πνεύμα which means Father, son & holy spirit) . With that form Greeks were the first Christians. Jews are not Christians, they are Jewish

[@judithconigliaro3731]

Awesome. As a ROMAN Rite Catholic, I often wondered who and what made up the Greek Orthodox Churches. Now I know and truly appreciate the history gleaned from this video. Thank you!

[@juanee2]

The church of the east (orthodoxy) and the church of the west (Roman Catholic) were one for a 1000 years. Looking into the beginning of Christianity.

[@crystalclinton77]

I'm a former protestant, converting to Orthodoxy a year ago. I very much appreciate this video.

[@rogaica81]

Welcome brother

[@levidyer7714]

Was he not already a brother when he was a protestant?

[@Paul-uv6mb]

Welcome brother in the real faith!

[@Paul-uv6mb]

​@@levidyer7714when we orthodox Christians call other orthodox Christians brothers is not about the flesh,or about one beautiful words,is about the clean faith in the god

[@gus..611]

Amazing tour. I’m an orthodox from Brazil and I love the liturgy. Great video ! This is the kind of content which make KZbin worth a time.

[@avos202]

Im not sure how this ended up on my feed, but Fr Chris was one of the most influencial people during my formative years. Hes a genuine guy. Love his whole family. Glad you got to meet him.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Me too. I like and respect him!

[@Mikedeela]

I'm glad you took off the hat. In my generation, hats inside anywhere were disrespectful. In a church even more so.

[@OrthoReadings]

Crumbsly the Bible said men should not cover their heads during worship or prayer. That’s why.

[@nomeslife]

It’s in Corinthians

[@reasbey]

As a Roman Catholic I found this really interesting and informative.

[@AserHapi]

"We don't consider them herectics...well, actually we do..." That millenia old shade

[@bokibo87]

Ha ha :)

[@AngeloBrazilGenon]

Schismatics

[@reigenlucilfer6154]

time stamp?

[@eduds6]

@@AngeloBrazilGenon in fact they are not, there is no schism as the churches were one and there was no above another. Mas continue acreditando em contos de fadas (ahistoricos) catolicos, rad trad

[@Ldomps]

@@eduds6 impressionante como ortodoxo de internet é chato, ainda mais brasileiro, tudo tentando fugir da verdade que a Igreja Católica é a correta

[@evy684]

So very interesting. Would love to see more of these. A big thank you to Father Chris. It made me want to know more about Greek Orthodoxy.

[@risaac9663]

Come and see! And there are many jurisdictions within the Orthodox Christian world, including the Greeks, Russians, Antiochians, Ethiopian, etc.

[@SilentSepia]

As a fellow who grew up in the Southern Baptist Christian tradition, I can honestly say “you’ll travel back into time”. When a dear lady from the Baptist Christian church that I attended, had learned of my baptism into Orthodox Christianity, she so lovingly remarked “that’s like the grandmother of all the churches”...to which my heart melted.

[@spartanmoon]

@@SilentSepia Very beautifully put⚘🕇

[@susannemcarlisle]

Search for Bob Edwards, orthodox, 60 Minutes. That story on Bartholowmew and Mount Athos is precious and amazing.

[@jamesarmstrong6008]

I think this is an excellent video. I'm an Anglican and I could easily become an Orthodox Christian. Thank you Father Chris for allowing Mat the interview.

[@jacfalcon]

Pray and do your best to follow God, but I sure hope He leads you our way because we'd love to have you

[@Православл]

James Armstrong yes you could! The main difference is that Anglicans ordain women, but we have nuns so it’s ok lol. You are missing a piece of yourself by not being orthodox, come to Divine Liturgy.

[@jamesarmstrong6008]

@@Православл Thank you for the reply. I am of The Reformed Episcopal Church. This church doesn't ordain women. The ordination of women is one of the several reasons why I left ECUSA.

[@Православл]

James Armstrong well in that case, you should join very soon. There really is nothing stopping you. Have you been to Divine Liturgy?

[@jamesarmstrong6008]

@@Православл I haven't attended as yet. I want to meet and visit with the priest of the local (only) Greek Orthodox Church to learn as much as I can, before attending. My former church had to close, because there were not enough members to keep the parish viable. I have been in contact with my former priest and he has told me that the Greek Orthodox Church would be a very good choice for me.

[@dimitritriantafyllides682]

As an Orthodox Christian I must say you did an incredible job with this interview, allowing Fr. Chris to share with you a bit about our tradition. To his defense, not sure about the context of his comments about the Bible, but we definitely believe the books of the Bible were divinely inspired. But we also believe they were written and edited by humans, and we know that it was our Church Fathers that debated which books should or should not be included in the Bible. In that sense, the Bible is the Library of Church Books. If anything we cling closer to the original Bible than most Christian traditions, continuing to use the Septuagint OT rather than versions based on post-Incarnation translations. Pro tip: If you don't feel comfortable calling him father call him presbyter! Thanks for a great video.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

I found other Orthodox writers and leaders who held the same position as Chris but others who took a stance that sounds more like yours. I suppose there's some variety of perspective and emphasis within every group.

[@karenbling6550]

Sorry but ST. Peter IS the first Pope, Jesus is the one who established the Church, Matthew 16;18 and the Greek orthodox church did not want to follow the Pope and broke away from Christ's Church.

[@dimitritriantafyllides682]

Karen, 1. Peter founded the church of Antioch prior to Rome, which is an Orthodox patriarchate. 2. Rome was given primacy of honor, not authority, because it was the seat of the empire. 3. James, not Peter, presided over the first council of Jerusalem (Acts). 4. No council was ever subject to a bishop, but rather was supreme dogma of all bishops. 5. The unilateral change of the Creed by the Latin Church led to the schism. 6. According to official Roman Catholic teaching the Orthodox are still part of Christ’s Church.

[@peteroleary9447]

@@MattWhitmanTMBH Great job on this interview! As an Evangelical coming to Orthodoxy, I got hung up on this, but discovered it was a technicality I hadn't understood well. Orthodox view Scripture as the human textual representation or icon of the divine Logos or Word of God. Written and interpreted by and through His Church, the Orthodox definitely see the Bible as divinely inspired, but written in human language through human experience. Its totality represents Christ in that it is both wholly God and wholly human, without confusion. I remember hearing that there is no "Bible" in the Bible lol. The Orthodox Divine Liturgy is comprised of more Scripture than one would hear in a typical Roman Catholic or Protestant service. I enjoyed this and subbed.

[@christourhopepodcast]

@@MattWhitmanTMBH While I am actually a Eastern Catholic, the teaching of the Orthodox Church is that it is divinely inspired with human authors. Many people within the Church may debate that, or have varying perspectives, but is our job to conform to what the Church has been given as teaching by God, seems like they may still be working on that part lol.

[@Awakeningspirit20]

I'm going to comment a second time, this amazing video deserves it! I just love this Orthodox priest, he's hilarious and does a great job explaining things! I grew up Catholic but never believed most of Catholicism until much later when I met Jesus through the Eucharist. But Catholicism is so absolute, singular, unquestionable. Orthodoxy, as per this priest's explanation, is almost like Protestantism where it relies on the individual but is like Catholicism with the rich history and connection to the ancient world, the continuity. What an incredible religion.

[@worldtv5848]

8

[@reverendcoffinsotherson5807]

Catholics can't have their own beliefs on certain non dogmatic issues?

[@brankabrnica1914]

Rome was the only Patriarchate that made CHANGES out of 5 in total. Other 4 separated themselves from Rome's spiritual downfall.

[@KannyValentine]

I absolutely loved everything Chris said. Finally Christianity makes sense to me.

[@sophiaruiz6717]

This make me want to explore Orthodoxy more.

[@slavdefendov1499]

Try it sister you wont regret it

[@dystopian2153]

Although my father was orthodox I was never into it. I was a kid and couldnt speak Greek so it was hard. But they will give you the liturgy in English and My church is going to offer free Greek classes soon! My husband and I have been attending orthodox classes at the local church and they are blowing our minds! My husband who has been attending nondenominational churches for years says it's the only church that has resonated with him and he has found where he belongs. I attended bible study last week and I literally was getting chills. I have tried so many different church's and this by far is the best for me

[@someguy9571]

Go for it. As a former Protestant, I've come to the conclusion that this is it.

[@MiddleEast-o4f]

Watch videos about :Agion Oros peninsula !

[@Agge58]

@@dystopian2153 welcome home !!!!!

[@PASTRAMIKick]

So Francis Ford Coppola retired from making movies to become an Orthodox Christian priest.

[@Doot414]

Underrated comment

[@doctorbrash5068]

That would also make him a lapsed Catholic....

[@HB-ud3ne]

Southern Italians that among all Italians mostly immigrated in the US, are half Greeks racially. South of Naples, especially. Decendants of Ancient Greek colonizers, mainly from Sparta. They were also Greek Orthodox, despite the proximity with Papal Rome, until about 200 years ago. So the resemblance is absolutely natural...

[@maxmaroll7140]

The Greeks gave us faith, thanks from Russia :)

[@argvas373]

And the alphabet

[@sylviag3576]

Thank you Father Chris, you did explain Orthodoxy in a very clear way. Thank you Matt for doing this, it is a great service for us Protestants to understand something so different to our way of looking at faith. Love the scriptures!

[@dimesonhiseyes9134]

It's always a good thing to try and unite and understand our brothers and sisters in christ.

[@RevGary]

Sylvia he is NOT A FATHER we're told only God is father this clergyman isn't born-again he's an adherent of an apostate paganistic cult.

[@dimesonhiseyes9134]

And then there is this guy... Who just starts saying dumb things and spewing hate.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

I like you.

[@dimesonhiseyes9134]

@@MattWhitmanTMBH I like you to. Did we just have a moment?

[@gumballlove]

This is my first Orthodox priest!! When I was ready to convert from Catholic to Orthodox. Fr. Chris helped me do this in a non-judgmental way. He's very non-traditional in a lot of ways which makes him so much fun. Also, Fr. Chris very much believes the bible is the word of God. And the Orthodox church has never changed the bible or done what they want with it. I learned from Fr. Chris and he is very much not relaxed about God's word. I think this guy took it out of context a little bit because Fr. Chris has taught many bible classes. But it was so great to see my first priest again!! Great video quality, interview and good questions. It was very entertaining.

[@itsmeme8287]

I too know and love Father Chris.

[@Ali-yu7qz]

How does the conversion process work? I'm currently a (struggling) raised Catholic and everything Father Chris was saying resonated with me. Also, can I just start attending an orthodox mass?

[@CetomimusGillii]

@@Ali-yu7qz As an inquirer myself, I can say that in my area (and I've heard that this is the case in most places that are not traditionally Orthodox) most congregations are extremely welcoming and always excited to see a visitor. Now there are stories of people visiting congregations that don't know the visitor's language, which can be awkward, but this seems to be rare in most areas. It can seem overwhelming and very weird, but just observe and pray. Nobody will mind that you don't know how to participate in the liturgy or anything, but it eased my own anxiety to watch see videos about the Divine Liturgy to get an idea of what to expect. As for conversion, it sort of depends on the area, but by and large it is encouraged that you slowly and gradually explore the faith before becoming a Catechumen, a formally-recognized student of the faith. This is usually a long process in my area. I recommend the videos from the Protecting Veil channel, particularly those interviewing Frederica Mathews-Green and Fr. Thomas Hopko. Blessings!

[@Ali-yu7qz]

@@CetomimusGillii Thank you for sharing this information! I found it very helpful. :)

[@MrNektarios1973]

Mr Chris is a fake orthodox priest and clown with catholic clothing and short bard.

[@Cakravartin1818]

Please do one video where you visit a traditional catholic church/cathedral. A church that is just as impressing as this one, so you'll do them justice. Probably one of my favourite videos by you so far, simply fantastic!

[@ArtofMillion]

Cakravartin I agree!!

[@jmjaquinas7298]

Yes! He should go to Cody or Lander since he’s in Wyoming St John XXIII in Fort Collins

[@MasterTop100]

I agree. I would love to see more of this! Thank you Matt!

[@mauwze]

To add, please visit Catholic Priest Fr. Mike Schmitz! Would love to hear a conversation between you two :) God bless

@@mauwze Or maybe Arch Bishop Vigano!

[@bulwyf2572]

I am an Orthodox Christian that converted 11 years ago from almost thirty years of being a United Methodist. I absolutely love Orthodox Christianity. This video was a fair and wonderful introduction to our beliefs.

[@pelopidasalexis6943]

Talking about energy you are feeling in that church.. Imagine standing in Agia Sofia in Konstantinoupoli (Instanbul). The architecture truly can bring a man closer to the divine. Nice video and greetings from Greece

[@glennvannijevelt1133]

ΠΕΛΟΠΙΔΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΗΣ yes. That is the Mother Church.... now a museum, after serving as a mosque for 500 years.

[@Mrs.Karen_Walker]

the agia sofia is no longer a church. the Altar and the relics have been removed when it was desecrated by muslims. It is merely a pretty building with a big dome.

[@pelopidasalexis6943]

@@Mrs.Karen_Walker Agia Sofia will always be a holly church for Orthodox Christians, especially for Greeks because of the Byzantine Empire!! We never forget, and we always believe, they want us to forget that is why they did all the crimes in the first place, but they cannot succeed, every year thousands or maybe millions visit the Holly Church Agia Sofia.

[@Mrs.Karen_Walker]

i understand your sentiment Alexis and i share those sentiments. However the agia sophia is NOT a church anymore. According to orthodox canon rules a building can only be a church when there is a consecrated altar present containing holy relics. The moment the altar and relics have been removed from the agia sophia the building turned from a church into just a building. The hagia sophia can and may only be called a holy Church again when it will be consecrate and an altar installed. Untill that day its just a big building with a dome.

[@pelopidasalexis6943]

@@Mrs.Karen_Walker The moment you start bringing man made rules to the core of your religion you have already lost your "game". Do you believe on God and in Jesus? Do you believe that your body is a church? Then how can you believe that it's just a building with a dome.. Especially in Greece (Orthodox Christian country) that is a blasphemy, we do jot count the presence of God by holly relics here!!. I dont care what you believe or if you think that i am sentimental, Agia Sofia was, is, and will always be a place that you can feel the Divine energy just by standing in it.

[@honoraryanglo2929]

The Greek Orthodox Church seems like the most concrete and logically based church or at least that's my impression of it

[@honoraryanglo2929]

@Zengine I thought that's what the Roman Catholics claim

[@TheBearNYC01]

@@honoraryanglo2929 Both churches claim it. "orthodox" (small o) meaning "proper/correct worship" and "catholic" (small c) meaning "universal."

[@honoraryanglo2929]

@@TheBearNYC01 that makes sense

[@jamesr.g.2320]

Look into their theology. It isn’t.

[@markschmitz5038]

Greek is the mother toungue of the gospels.

[@Conmezzo]

It seems the Eastern Orthodox view salvation as medicine for the human soul instead of a legal judgement before an angry God. Will there be a part two?

[@777Justin]

In the East, Church is the hospital for those with the sickness of sin. In the West, Church is the courtroom for those with the crime of sin.

[@randypittman279]

Yes, though it is important to note that it's not exactly a strict either-or, but a difference [albeit a strong difference] in emphasis. The Orthodox Church does not reject scripture that speaks about the wrath of God or about atonement or sacrifice, but understands such scritpture through a very different lens than the that of the oft-juridical West.

[@prayunceasingly2029]

@@randypittman279 They must see sin differently too if they view the wrath of God differently. Because sin brings God's wrath if it not dealt with but the perception of that seems worlds apart.

[@isaakios]

It’s more complicated than that. The Orthodox believe in original sin, they believe in forgiveness. To hear some modernists talk, you’d think that the patristic writings had no Judgment/Forgiveness/Wrath language, and nothing could be further from the truth. The Orthodox do not limit the Atonement to forensic justification, however. It is heresy to deny original sin- this is one of the early Orthodox African councils. American Orthodox are victims of Paris-School Russians and liberal Greeks, who, in attempting to sift through the more Westernized forms of Orthodox theology written in the 17th-19th centuries, at some points threw the baby out with the bathwater.

[@isaakios]

Mystical guilt because of the unity of human nature in Adam is different from actual merited guilt from our personal choices and the passions. Even Westerners make that distinction and it’s embarrassing when Romanides and others failed to make those distinctions in their discussions. Like a car drifting off the road, more dangerous is the “over-correction” which can send the car of sound theology flying overturned into the ditch of heresy. For modern Greeks, stick with Photios Kontoglou, St Paisios, and Constantine Cavarnos. Trembelas is sound from what I hear, but none of his works are in English. Romanides is awful- more sci fi than theology.

[@12j10]

My Lord Jesus! This was one of the most beautiful churches I have EVER seen in my life!!

[@sayandebhalder1618]

Wow are there Christian in Kosovo

[@TK-317]

@@sayandebhalder1618 in Serbia*

[@laurelcello]

"this place smells different than protestantism"

[@yank-tc8bz]

"Smells and Bells" that's the Orthodox Church

[@Abram-PA]

It smells to a church who adapted pagan rituals. The Law, prophets and Psalms are fullfilled, but when you converted to Christ and you are baptized with the spirit of Christ, the law of Christ lives in you with conscience, that means not that Yahweh tolerates idolising himself. The excuse that was used by the priest: the ancient church taught the gospel by idolising paintings of himself. Why taught the rabbi's hebrew to young child's when they had bar mitzvah. Everywhere you look in orthodox, Armenian and Catholic church you see old pagan rituals that where adapted by the pagan so called converted emperor Constantine. When i was in the so called church of the holy sepulchre I cried with pain and sorrow, when I saw that my Jesus was idolised. When I read the bible and see this churches I see not any references.

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

Abram - Protestants will never understand: it’s precisely our ‘paganism’ that makes the Greek Church so...well, Greek".

[@expecttheunexpected8070]

@@Abram-PA so a God..adopeted pagan ppl...pffff what a pagan he is..

[@someguy9571]

@@hh8222 "It's foreign to me and I don't understand it therefore pagannnn!!"

[@NIKOLASINGLESSIS]

Thank God that are priests like Father Chris who explain things in a theological context and not just dogmatizing !!

[@debelae]

”This place smells different” I know what you talking about MATE the incense and beeswax combination is unforgettable no matter where you are.

[@johnmascola3403]

Father Chris explained the Best definition of what Salvation really is. BRAVO !

[@cuthbertsboots5733]

It is unfortunate that your equipment wasn't working well when you discussed the Bible because that was an important point that seems to have gotten glossed over. The Orthodox Church does believe in the divine inspiration, inerrancy, and infallibility of Holy Scripture. When Fr. Chris said "we wrote the Book," he did not mean that it was written by mere men, but that it was the Church that wrote and compiled the Book under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit for the benefit of the Church. The Scripture was created for the Church, not the Church for the Scripture. So, the Holy Scripture must be treated respectfully and with reverence as a part of Holy Tradition, and always with the benefit of the Church in mind.

[@glennvannijevelt1133]

Eugene A. Schreder A definite selection of the Gospels and the Apocrypha and the consensus to use the Chaldean Trinitarian Doctrine (God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit) was cemented in the First Council of Nicaea in 325, an event presided by Emperor Constantine the Great in his attempt to unify his Empire through the teaching of his Bishops and Archbishops.

[@cuthbertsboots5733]

stringypete Your response simply demonstrates a misunderstanding of the term “Tradition” in an Orthodox context. This is the Tradition, the doctrine and Truth that Christ through the Holy Spirit handed down to the Saints once for all. It is not in any way equivalent to something like a family Christmas tradition or anything like that.

[@randyrandall8274]

Eugene...the scripture was written for the benefit of people!

[@cuthbertsboots5733]

@@randyrandall8274 Yes, that's what I said. The Scripture was created for the Church, the Church being the people - those who have been called out of the world to come together and commune with the Body of Christ.

[@ownpetard8379]

@@glennvannijevelt1133 The emperor's goal was to have a coherent expression of Christianity to complement his goal of a coherent political expression, his empire. He wanted the bishops to have a common view of what Christianity is. What the bishops agreed on was not important to Constantine. Rather, it was important that they agreed.

[@matthewketelhut4966]

Lutheran here awesome video! Orthodoxy has always been super interesting to me

[@CarolineJoyAmico]

I came to Orthodoxy from the WELS!

[@em1694_]

I’m catholic but I love this video so much! Thanks for sharing!

[@susannemcarlisle]

We can take in your church but you cannot take in hours. Bit of snobbery there, if you ask me. ;-)

[@susannemcarlisle]

@7878 stew What? I don't set church doctrine! Why would you say that? You don't know me.

[@susannemcarlisle]

@@OGCaan Communion. Personally I don't understand why. Seems unkind.

[@StMark2411]

You shouldn’t love what the priest said. He denies truth that the Catholic Church started at Pentecost, the same day as Orthodoxy. He blatantly called us heretics and schismatics but didn’t point to the fact that the Petrine primacy was well understood and agreed upon between east and west and confirmed with the Tome of Leo where all Bishops and patriarchs of the church agreed. This isn’t a good representation of the history of the church and was very one sided.

[@susannemcarlisle]

@gayify me I have, several times. And I always make clear beforehand to the priest that I am.

[@FiliusChristi1]

This is my church, and that's because of this video. Thank you for what you do- Praise God, Christ is Risen!

[@WES03R1]

That was very cool and awesome of Chris to oblige! I’m getting “Smarter everyday” when it comes to my faith! Haha

[@dkecskes2199]

+ I agree completely.

[@sonsoftheedelweiss72]

Great explanation. I was Protestant until I was 50 then I learned about the true history of the church, I was blown away with what I found out and what the Protestant church does not know or teach . It change my perspective entirely. The EOC is heaven on earth.

[@Мухтешем]

Welcome home, brother! It's never too late. Greetings from Serbia! :)

[@RudyCarrera]

God bless you and keep you.

[@katbos4995]

Father Chris was awesome! He was cool and laid back.

[@osvaldocristo]

As a "classical Presbyterian" guy I found your series of videos very instructive. Thanks to bring light to our typical ignorance to understand the broad meaning of Christianity. Great work.

[@johnflorio3052]

God bless the Orthodox! I'm Catholic and you're my closest brothers.

[@virvisquevir3320]

John Florio - Agree.

[@princeofpeace794]

John Florio yeah because both of y’all worship idols make pictures status etc..y’all believe salvation is by work not by grace through faith. Stop kissing your Popes hand 🤚 stop telling what you have done to your pope . Jesus is the mediator between God and man

[@johnflorio3052]

We had a healing service after Mass today!

[@johnflorio3052]

Tell me about the sect you follow.

[@2dimitropolis370]

I don't think so. If we are, you wouldn't be so evil to us

[@PiperMcPhersonTheWren]

I grew up Protestant myself. I became a catechumen within the Russian Orthodox tradition after hearing Slavonic chants by Russian monks. I had become enchanted and mystified by it and found it very appealing.

[@srfrg9707]

You are blessed. Jesus said that the shepard will have no rest until he has brought the lost sheep back. Δοχα σου χριστε.

[@alithos.anesti]

You would love the Greek chants

[@LauraBeeDannon]

Gregorian chants for me.

[@NessieAndrew]

So because you like their songs it means it's true?

[@PiperMcPhersonTheWren]

@@NessieAndrew I don't mean to be rude, but I don't really think I owe an explanation.

[@Hablizel]

WHAT A GREAT INTERVIEW! It makes me realize we are 2 fingers of the same hand. I understand so much more now. It's not "us versus them". We're a team with different play assignments. Thanks. I would like to see the Roman view.

[@ArabChristian1]

Orthodoxy, oldest christian faith. Unbreakable, spiritual, it's just beautiful. Orthodoxy will save Europe and the West. ☦️

[@RawGameplay]

It's extremely disingenuous to say that Catholicism isn't just as old as Orthodoxy. It's also a little bit weird to say that Orthodox faith is unbreakable considering that they allow contraception, something the church fathers specifically taught against.

[@Roman_21]

@@RawGameplay what?????????????????? who says that??? study better next time the church Fathers are the pillar of Orthodoxy whatever else is heresy

[@thecarlitosshow7687]

I agree

[@lupinthe4th400]

@@RawGameplay Do you want to know why Orthodoxy is the True Church? How old is the ORTHODOX faith? If you are a Lutheran, your religion was founded by Martin Luther, an ex-monk of the Catholic Church, in the Year 1517. If you belong to the Church of England, your religion was founded by King Henry VIII in the Year 1534 because the Pope would not grant him a divorce with the right to re-marry. If you are a Presbyterian, your religion was founded by John Knox in Scotland in the Year 1560. If you are a Congregationalist, your religion was originated by Robert Brown in Holland in 1582. If you are Protestant Episcopalian, your religion was an offshoot of the Church of England, founded by Samuel Senbury in the American colonies in the 17th century. If you are a Baptist, you owe the tenets of your religion to John Smyth, who launched it in Amsterdam in 1606. If you are of the Dutch Reformed Church, you recognize Michelis Jones as founder because he originated your religion in New York in 1628. If you are a Methodist, your religion was founded by John and Charles Wesley in England in 1774. If you are a Mormon (Latter Day Saints), Joseph Smith started your religion in Palmyra, New York, in 1829. If you worship with the Salvation Army, your sect began with William Booth in London in 1865. If you are Christian Scientist, you look to 1879 as the year in which your religion was born and to Mary Baker Eddy as its founder. If you belong to one of the religious organizations known as "Church of the Nazarene, Pentecostal Gospel," "Holiness Church," or "Jehovah's Witnesses," your religion is one of the hundreds of new sects founded by men within the past hundred Years. If you are Roman Catholic, your Church shared the same rich apostolic and doctrinal heritage as the Orthodox Church for the first thousand Years of its history, since during the first millennium they were one and the same Church. Lamentably, in 1054, the Pope of Rome broke away from the other four Apostolic Patriarchates (which include Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem), by tampering with the Original Creed of the Church, and considering himself to be infallible. Thus your Church is 1,000 Years old. If you are a ORTHODOX Christian, your religion was founded in the Year 33 by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It has not changed since that time. Our Church is now almost 2,000 Years old. And it is for this reason, that Orthodoxy, the Church of the Apostles and the Fathers is considered the true "One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church." This is the greatest legacy that we can pass on to the young people of the new millennium.

[@nickzero6921]

Amen

[@Donb1233]

You totally misunderstood what he said about the Church and the Bible. He didn't say that he did not believe it was inspired by God. He said it was a book of the Church and it is.

[@Amy-be6ed]

I wish he would have worded it more clearly since he was talking to a Protestant.

[@Hope-ce9oy]

@@Amy-be6ed I wish he would have, too, because I am Mennonite and believe strongly that the Bible is God-breathed and Holy and should be held as God's Word. What got confusing was how he said that since it is the church's book, then they can do whatever they want with it, but I believe it is God's Bible and is Holy and sacred and we should not change a thing about it. Did I totally misinterpret what he was saying? I am genuinely curious as to what the Orthodox believe. Thanks. :)

[@andrewclover1462]

It's not my book. It's our book.

[@Pandaemoni]

@@Hope-ce9oy I don't know what it means to say "we should not change a thing" since the Bible has been changed again and again across Christianity since it was first compiled (mostly but entirely at the First Council of Nicea in in the 4th century). I mean, if we can't change a thing about the bible, does that not mean we should be reading it in Hebrew, Ancient Greek and Aramaic? Add to the translation issue, "The Bible" itself is a collection of different books that was assembled by the church in a series of stages from 200 A.D. to 500 A.D. (and then again during the Reformation) and the list of what books are in and out have fluctuated. Roman Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Protestants literally have different Bibles with different books in them (with most of them in common) because Protestants rejected some of what was in the Catholic Bible (except for Lutherans which largely still use the Catholic Bible as I understand it).

[@danktankdragkings7117]

I am recently confirmed in the eastern orthodox faith after being raised generic protestant Christian. You represented us and our opinions/beliefs justly. Thank you.

[@slavdefendov1499]

God bless you my Orthodox Christian brother

[@catfon10]

I am Roman Catholic but I love the Orthodox Church' expression of faith, more organic :)

[@slavdefendov1499]

Convert

[@someguy9571]

Why not be Orthodox then?

[@Cobruh_Commander]

Begome Ordodox! :DDD

[@cowmansr]

I've enjoyed visiting Eastern Catholic parishes. They have an expression much more like the Orthodox, while maintaining the unity of the Catholic Church.

[@patrickpettyjr.2487]

Silence, traitor!

[@AnthonyP73]

One and a half minutes in I already want to be Orthodox.

[@johnrevelation37]

Wait until the end of the video

[@Punnybone55]

I've been watching several KZbin videos about the Orthodox church and it's traditions this week. Mostly the "Protecting Veil" series. I don't see myself converting - there are still a few strong doctrinal differences between me and Orthodoxy as I understand it, tho less of them than with Roman Catholicism - but I'm finding the learning experience of the videos very informative, enriching, and even entertaining. The Priests and Abysses and other people doing the videos are ALL humble, approachable, down-to-earth folks I'd love to sit down and chat with in person.

[@danhurl1349]

Come join us! We have great food!

[@danhurl1349]

After all, that’s the important thing

[@danhurl1349]

Jeff Dunham you’re not wrong lol. The church I go to is actually a monastery, and the nuns are honestly the coolest. Like they’re really fun and they’ve just got this glow about them, like you can tell that they are truly the brides of Christ. It’s awesome. Also their quiche is amazing

[@shawnhampton8503]

You are such a breath of fresh air - maybe the Holy Spirit - and thank you for being yourself and having such openness to another tradition than your own. This is truly how followers of Christ should speak with one another. As an Orthodox Christian, I was very touched by your kindness and loving honesty, and that of Fr. Chris as well. He did say one thing that was a bit off, though I am sure he did not mean for it to come out this way: "There were no Bibles, we didn't have Bibles..." (meaning for centuries until the printing press, and then later modern press). The fact is that the Bible was translated by hand, books were worth the price of a private jet today, and very few could read, and the Bible was either in Greek or Latin, and eventually Slavonic, but not in any of the "vernacular" translations we know today. So, in effect, the average person did not have a Bible or ANY book for that matter for many many centuries. Again thank you, and God bless you!!!

[@louisstamas6672]

Yes, you're absolutely right. It was just a poor choice of words on Fr. Chris' part. Overall, though, his commentary and explanations were excellent.

[@ДимитърАпостолов-п7ф]

At one point I too was expecting Ft. Chris to really give only perfect answers :D Hey we are all human, you know.

[@ryanmartinson4531]

"We don't consider them heretics... Well, actually we do." Made me chuckle.

[@srfrg9707]

Well. On the theological level we consider they teach heresies but according to the canon law we need an oecunemical council to declare them officialy has heretics. And we can't have an oecumenical council without the western Church and the pope. So we are stuck. Officialy we say they are heterodox. Jesus prophetised this in the parable of st Peter walking on the waters (the nations) alone while the other Apostles remain safely in st Peter's boat (= the Orthodox Church). Then Jesus grabbed st Peter who was sinking (as the Catholic Church is now) and brought him back onboard the boat. For us it means that the first sign that Jesus is back will be that He will force Rome back to orthodoxy.

[@isaakios]

Λογος This isn’t true. St Mark of Ephesus declared them heretics, the Synod of Blachernae shortly before the fall of Cnople declared them heretics and repudiated the Florentine union. Ecumenical Councils can happen and have happened since the schism. The Palamite Synods in the mid-14th Century are undoubtedly ecumenical and will be officially promulgated as such, having been ratified formally by the entire Orthodox Church. Rome’s participation was relevant so long as it was Orthodox. There is no canon that requires Roman approval, Rome’s acceptance was necessary in the past in order to make something truly ecumenical, as were the acceptances of all the privileged Sees of the Church outlined by the canons. Nothing magical about geography or race- that would be spiritual Judaism.

[@srfrg9707]

The Owlets Well everyone focused on the miracle of Jesus walking on the waters. But Jesus was not the only one. St Peter tried also and acheived it for a while. before sinking and was saved by Jesus who told him that he failed because of is lack of faith. This is a prediction of Rome's destiny. In the orthodox christrian symbolism, the waters symbolise the nations. The boeat of st Peter represents the orthodox Church. St Peter is the papacy. One can see that St Peter is leaving the safety of the boat (orthodoxy) where all the others apostles remain (the other patriarchates). He imitates Jesus by walking on the waters and the waters support him (The pope declares he's the lieutenant of Jesus, that his magister is universal and the nations support him). But soon he starts to sink (he looses the support of nations, such as the eastern christians, the protestants, the british, the gallicans, the atheists.) He begans to sink. (Current state of the Vatican) and is saved by Jesus just before Jesus boards the boat.

[@srfrg9707]

Serbia Care Act Sorry but you are flat wrong. You need an oecumenical council to declare the western Church as non orthodox in the first place and therfore you can' just pretend to have oecumenical councils without Rome. It has nothing to do with the nationality of latins. Synodes are not oecumenical councils and no oecumenical council ever took place since Florence. Dont use circular thinking like the Catholics do to justify the so-called infallibility of the pope. We have to respect the canon law no matter your individual wishes.

[@TKUA11]

Tania but you can’t save yourself, Only God can save you, not of our own works. If you are not sure you are saved, how do you know you’re not doing all this in vein ?

[@BoBo0807]

American convert to Orthodoxy here. Your remarks in the choir loft, starting around 14:00, are soooooo right on. The church building is exactly intended to make the believer deeply aware of the *community* of the faithful; which very much includes the dead (as Fr. Chris said earlier), as well as the bodiless hosts: angels, archangels, et cetera. The Church is *not* "contemporary," literally "with the time." She is "extratemporary:" *outside* of chronological time; *within* eternal "time." Great video; I'm glad I found it. God bless you brother!

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

That's very helpful language. I think that may have been the most moving part of the experience for me. Thanks for weighing in.

[@imaginethat765]

I'm Greek Orthodox and I follow your show. Thank you for doing this segment.

[@Christopher_Wheeler]

Thanks for being fair to him. I know you would, but is rare to see.

[@fernandoxavier6928]

I'm a recent Orthodox convert, former protestant. Nice video! Thank you.

[@Tre86Q]

What an informative, interesting, and genuine conversation. I'm a resolute atheist now, but I'm moved by the Father's deep theological knowledge and reverence. What a breathtaking church. Even a nonbeliever should feel awe and serenity surrounded by such meaningful beauty.

[@thmspngs]

One of the best videos of that kind I have ever seen! Concratulations to the guy who filmed it in such an unbiased way and also concratulations to father Chris who gave such accurate theological explanations.