Ask An Orthodox Priest #4 - Lust, Spiritual Laziness, Asking Saints For Help

[@jonathangermain4143]

1:00 "We're not often good at resting in a Christian way." This really hit me. Silence and Prayer rather than binging and distraction.

[@TheophanP]

Oooof. So right as concept and much to act on. Thank you, Fr. Glory to God.

[@davidbaker2708]

But bingeing and distraction brought me here! 😅

[@andresgalindo7682]

I pray for the entire world to convert to the Orthodox Faith ☦

[@alphabeta8284]

The True orthodox faith is the Catholic Faith. Amen!

[@andresgalindo7682]

@@alphabeta8284 You mean the Italian faith? There is nothing Catholic in Rome city just Italian Paganism.

[@coalymoley8396]

The Orthodox Church is the Catholic Church! ;) Oh, unless you’re talking about the Roman Heretics.

[@WilliamSwartzendruber]

Behold, the Body of Christ. As divided as it's ever been.

[@deeznuts9375]

@@alphabeta8284heresy is not the true faith, papal infallibility is a false doctrine, repent and become Orthodox ☦️

[@nutsanutsaa]

I am glad to find this channel where priests explain Orthodox Christianity in detail and also share their personal experiences,which is helpful. I am also happy to see this kind of faith in the U.S. Personally, I am from the country of Georgia 🇬🇪 where more than 88% of the population is orthodox Christians ☦️ Our country has a two-thousand-year history of believing in Christ, sacrificing for Christianity ,saving the faith and relying on our father, Jesus Christ. In the 1st century, Andrew, the apostle of Christ, came in Georgia 🇬🇪 in order to spread the gospel here, and since then, my country has been trying to save this faith at all costs. I would be glad you to come and see our little and beautiful country and enjoy the beauty of Orthodox Christianity here❤

[@Yaz662]

I was praying about this yesterday. I told my lord I feel unworthy of him because I am full of passions 😢 this morning I open KZbin and this video is the 1st to show up ❤ No one can tell me my Lord is not listening to us

[@TheophanP]

I too found it at perfect time in Great Lent. As Father said, one demon steps away in falls, weakness and struggle ..and another spirit steps in to say things like 'God not listening.'

[@Ooweeeooo]

I have also been feeling despondency during Lent. But I went to confession & He cleansed me of this sin. I encourage you to go confess your despair 🙏🏻 The Lord doesn’t want perfect people, He wants sinners just like us. Also pray some Psalms and an Akathist if you can 🙏🏻 Lord have mercy!

[@abigailmcduff2445]

For the one who is leaving Judaism for Orthodoxy, read Surprised by Christ, written by Fr. James Bernstein. He was raised in a Jewish home and became a believer at sixteen, later he worked with Jews for Jesus. Eventually, he came to understand Orthodox Christianity as the fulfillment of Judaism. I am currently in the process of leaving the Hebrew Roots Movement. Fr. James’ words have been most helpful in my journey.

[@lynchcreekmuzzy5759]

Really good read, been converting to OCA last 4 months...first book in Orthodoxy I read all the way thru. ☦️

[@Godisone88]

I started fasting from 6 am to 12 am or 6 pm until 12pm. Because of this the Spirit of laziness has gone. It's like taking coffee you have energy and more discernment when reading the Bible. I recommend it.

[@Somerandomguy-b9z]

Bro so true( from my own experience)

[@GregoryCampbellSwag]

How can we overcome the sin of pornography addiction? It is something I hate so much and have been actively trying to quit for about 7 years but often when temptation comes, it can be very strong and I fall back into it.

[@Mavvyd96]

I struggle with this one immensely too, brother. ☦️

[@catalincata9043]

Like he said. Stay busy. Do house chores, workout, go to church, go to gym. Workout at home. Get a job if you dont have one. I would add, stay off your phone more and dont visit apps and websites that will trigger images of lust. Also try not to be by yourself too much. When you’re alone that’s when you can fall into temptation. Eve was alone when she sinned. Be strategic. Give your head a shake when you have an impure thought come in and pray to the Theotokos for her intercession. move your location when you have an impure thought, dont stay idle so long. Sing psalms. But everything he says at beginning of clip is very important. God help us.

[@CJohn33]

I struggle with the same thing. I cut it off a year and a half ago. It is a great battle. You must fight it. Most people will go to hell for this sin if they remain in it. Once you stop looking at porn and materbating, your battle will not be over. Your new battle will be the thoughts. They don't go away. The visions are still in your mind. The only help you have for this is having a spiritual father and following a prayer he sets for you. When you miss your prayer rule, you will certainly fall.

[@realmccoy124]

Hi Gregory. Firstly, thank you for your honesty. I thank God for you and your courage to ask this… the struggle is real. Anyone who tells you that it’s a one and done type of thing… most likely they’re lying to you. Your salvation is worked out in Community… so the real struggle you’re facing, is not done alone. Be gentle with yourself - I pray the Lord brings someone into your life with whom you can journey with - as you persevere. It’s gonna take effort. But there is a way forward in Christ God. Be encouraged. Lovingly, Lee.

[@sinfulyetsaved]

Many addictions are rooted in mental health issues or personality disorders. I would start with learning yourself first. Are you an avoident personality? Are you a anxious avoidant? Their are four types and these are all put on us since childhood. Also learn how to cope with stress better. We develop a addiction as a means of comfort. Learn the triggers. Then utilize porn blocking tools, have an accountability partner, buy things like digital angel that blocks out movies on streaming companies like Netflix that might have sexual content dont have social media instagram and tick tok are basically porn apps now.

[@garyfearon6181]

Glory be to Jesus Christ! I could listen to Fr Jesse all day. I love the practicality of the advise and applying it to everyday struggles. More of this content is needed! 😊

[@evanparrafx]

One of the most life-changing things I've tried to keep in mind is the oft-cited phrase: "God will never give you more than you can handle." We often struggle, we're always going to be tempted, we might even fail, but it's reassuring to keep in mind that there is always a way out and a way to overcome.

[@Blaisesongs]

“It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but that which comes out of his mouth, this defiles a man. ... “ Matthew 15:11, 17-20. Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and renew a right spirit within me.

[@noahbeebe6138]

This was absolutely beautiful and much needed. The point is to struggle up the mountain and keep on carrying that cross towards God. We struggle because God wants us too and our faith in him shows us that we need the struggle. Lord I struggle but i will keep getting back up, especially as an Orthodox Christian. This is the beauty of the Orthodox Faith☦️

[@Viatorem-OnTheMove]

I thank The Lord Almighty for coming across this page

[@Mavvyd96]

I absolutely adore every video y'all put out. And I see you're about to crest 15k subs so soon! Glory to the Holy Trinity. ☦️

[@RootsofOrthodoxy]

Thank you so much! Glory to God ❤

[@silvermonk13]

and now two months later and they are over double that. Just recently found the Orthodox church, never really considered it an option before (not sure why). I went to my first service this past Sunday and I learned that many of the principles I had self discovered through study is how the Orthodox faith is by default, so happy I found a spiritual home. Much love to all and God Bless.

[@JackMcGovern-g6o]

Praying for a reunion of Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Church

[@johnnyd2383]

Praying is good. But... you should be praying for RCC giving up of their false faith, repenting and coming back to the original faith that they held in first millennium - Orthodox faith. There can't be reunion w/o RCC rectifying itself.

[@ThomasG_Nikolaj]

Pray for not a false reunion through ecumenism, but for Roman Catholics to embrace Orthodoxy and convert

[@Thubten_Phuntsok]

Father Jesse you are amazing. I hope to meet you some day. God bless you. Glory to God!

[@Beastify9pointO]

This video was very helpful and practical, much thanks, God Bless ☦️

[@normadaly7506]

My heart went out to the young man who is a soldier. I've felt very alone myself as I've gone tru alot of rejection and persecution. God gave me the grace to remember St Mary magdelene..... She went all the way to the cross with Christ, right in the middle of the abuse and rejection and awfulness. I pray to her always. I'm not joking but God reminded too me of all the young men caught in no man's land in war and my heart went out to them..... And I realised I was not alone in that type of aloneness and relatively speaking I had nothing to complain about..... Perspective. God help you

[@inezvasquez8104]

The intercession question was answered very well! We need to hear more on this practice.

[@yourneighbour3309]

So blessed for this channel. So glad!

[@Faithful_Solaire]

I found your channel a week or so ago and I can’t thank you all enough. There is an Orthodox Church in my area and I look forward to visiting it. I hope it will be as…. I don’t know what the right word is…. peaceful, a home, warm… I think you understand.

[@gunterverlie59]

Like he says, maybe it can make you humble and closer to God. God s always with you. Stay trusting in His mercy and surrender also in your sin ❤

[@AshurBanipal0x]

A firm and strong relationship with the lord and constantly praying will melt Lust from our souls. Keep the lord in your mind every moment

[@yourneighbour3309]

thank you!!! very much needed!!!!!!💙💙

[@perrylc8812]

I remember when I did an almost 100% fast & was so happy then the very next fast I totally blew it. Yeah I got the message from that & had to laugh at myself.😂

[@BigJohnNewsChannel]

Let me be clear, as a 63 year old, the lust issue takes care of itself over time. I am glad that God has blessed me with a full life. At a younger time in my life, the answer is to associate with Godly men. Me need to talk their way through the lust issue in a caring environment. Talk.

[@JesusSavesForReal]

Not everyone has 63 years to live, though, that's the problem. It's best to repent and get ready for the Lord today instead of tomorrow

[@BigJohnNewsChannel]

@@JesusSavesForReal I need to repent more often than I brush my teeth. After every meal is not enough to acknowledge the divinity of Jesus Christ.

[@lancep994]

Certainly this can't be true. Lust seems unique to carry on even when physical desire, physical ability, and libido are aged out of.

[@JayzBeerz]

Good day ❤

[@euadrian9751]

Hello from Moldova

[@jessebellino9780]

Man I love the priests you guys have on this channel.

[@maxheinrichliebow]

Thank you Fr Jesse!

[@EarlyChurchWisdom]

This channel is a blessing 🙏 🔥

[@Flyingjos]

Orthodoxy in USA is of admiration. Here in Greece, one of the first places to adopt christianity, we have so many churches that sometimes a 10 min walking suffice, so I'm thinking how much courage and enthusiasm do they have there...

[@realTrissMerigold]

31:00 I just thought of an example. In the judicial system, we often consider rullings previously made to determine what the judment in the following case should be. And so the final decision of a court is based on the whole law but also on the "blueprint" i.e., the previous case. The blueprint case points towards the right way the law should be implemented. This kinda reminds me of the intercession process. I dont know if it makes sense but I thought I could share anyway. For the algorithm at least. God bless everyone!

[@aleksandraplavsic87]

Beautiful! Amen! ❤ Greetings from Serbia

[@brandonterzic]

It is a tough one. For men, mastering the libido is central to developing the spirit. It is important to remember that subverting and repressing this energy is just as dangerous as over indulgence.

[@Ooweeeooo]

Glory to our Lord Jesus Christ ❤

[@12Flowers1]

Intercession of the Saints is something I struggle so much with

[@theophanmackey3414]

Do you ever ask anyone else to pay for you? That's pretty much what it is. The saints are alive in Christ. In Revelation it describes the prayers of the Saint rising before the throne of God.

[@synthesaurus]

@@theophanmackey3414 i come from a place where prayers to the saints or a special ikon are the only thing people do. They also have vodka , cigarettes and kolbasa blessed for Pacha. Kinda like catholics end up worshiping Mary and the sacred heart. I’ve seen how veneration of the saints became nothing but idolatry. Orthodoxy is still new to America and the priests are doing a good job emphasizing the main points of Christianity. In many traditional Orthodox countries unfortunately not the case :(

[@theophanmackey3414]

​@@synthesaurusI have heard of these practices and others, I am sorry for it. Piety comes and goes in waves in the people and the priests. We must only do our best.

[@Brotherbear-er7rn]

Remember that the Lord Jesus was born a Carpenter. When idleness and lust creep into your mind do some wood carving or pyrography. A simple 16 ounce hammer and a set of Dewalt chisels is most likely not gonna run you anymore than $50 or $60 and small chunks of wood can be purchased very cheaply at any lumber store. Expanding upon this one of the first things you can try and do is using chisels and maybe a razor blade for marking make a small cross. As I’m writing out this comment and listening to this video that’s exactly what I’m doing

[@youtube_and_coffee]

My take on this is that we're not entitled to sin just because we work hard. The more we sin the easier it becomes to keep on sinning. Don't listen to the rationalization coming from the demon of indulgence

[@unimaginaryemily]

Thank you!

[@Hinderless14]

I go to church in a different state But the town i go to church in has a greek church and an english one I go the extra 15 minutes to the english one because they speak my language

[@josephverri618]

A reading at today's mass illustrates that the sin of lust is seperate from other types of sin because we are literally temples of the Holy Spirit. Releasing sexual tension can become an unproductive habit that is an insult to the Holy Spirit. One can cast out that initial lustful temptation with the Jesus Prayer, this will be your new habit. Then you will find out how close God really is.

[@realandross_yt]

Father , how can I maintain my dietary needs fasting?

[@WORKOUTSOLUTIONS]

We are not alone, God is with us ☦🙏💪 ❤‍🔥🔥❄😍✌👩‍❤‍👨💪🕊🙏✝CHRIST IS BORN ☦🙏💒🌟👨‍👩‍👧‍👦☃🫶🎄🥇⛸🚨🙌💯❤

[@beccasuemclean]

My priest is in the Army

[@carlosf3421]

Love your channel. How can I donate?

[@carlosf3421]

Never mind. I see now. Its on patron. Subscribed! :) God bless.

[@georgepapatheofilou6118]

Kyrie Eleison Me. I've not confessed so no communion . No matter how I've washed my clothes and flesh , I still feel unworthy to attend and be a hypocrite

[@markv2360]

Everyone is a hypocrite on some level and suffers a divide between our values and who we are currently. The part that matters is making a step forward to God. - from a fellow hypocrite

[@Osafune2]

Christ’s Church has plenty of room for sinners and hypocrites. Would you refuse to seek hospital treatment just because you perceive that you’ve made yourself sicker than others?

[@marcelawestberry6071]

HOW TO DEAL WITH Sickness and physical pain??? HELP

[@grimstuff1]

Stillness

[@mikejr.cornett6030]

I’ve only ever seen in the Bible instructing man to ask the Holy Spirit ask God ask Jesus for help never seen anything about asking followers of Jesus, who are dead for help. Can you guide me to the scripture that instruct me to contact dad followers of Jesus for help?

[@annalynn9325]

They are not dead “He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.” Mark 12:27 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43 Jesus to the thief on the cross Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16 Guess you didn’t read the Bible as carefully as you thought

[@rossyfn9688]

As an Orthodox Christian are you required to venerate the icons?

[@ukerkater]

Orthodox faithful venerate icons. Icons are windows to heaven.

[@br.m]

@@ukerkater 🦜

[@br.m]

Hi I am not eastern orthodox but I have tried looking in to it. I wanted to join because I was told it is the one and only Church and all other churches are false. If that's true I better join. However I have unaddressed concerns about their idols, among other things which are clearly against the Bible and against Jesus. From what I have been able to find out. No. No the church does not require you to worship the idols. It is optional, however from some people I have heard that there is extreme pressure to participate. So it is optional but you will feel like the alien, if you do not participate in worship of the idols, and bowing to, kissing, making the sign of the cross. Also you will pray to saints, and pray to the foreskin of Jesus. If I can't find the reasons and answers I think in 2024 I will join the LCMS. It is the most orthodox church on earth, with no idolatry and no praying to dead people or Mary. Good luck sir best to you happy new year

[@wien1563]

@@br.m venerating icons of saints is by no means idolatry, its venerating the saints of God whom they live in and He lives in them, and if you are not to venerate Mary the All Holy Theotokos you can not be called Chrisitan in the first place. EDIT: there is far more competent people on youtube who can explain that so much better than me, just take ur time and look it up

[@realmccoy124]

In a short answer - no - you are not ‘required’ to do anything. As you grow by the measure of grace already present in your life, if you permit yourself to draw near in faith and love… little by little, the Lord opens one’s understanding, and go a little bit further in our theosis - as you learn what’s good and proper and how to live out your faith in Christ-God. Honestly, when I first started towards Holy Orthodoxy - I had a negative stance towards Mary… but as things unfolded - my love for the Theotokos grew and grew. Be patient with yourself and be open to change as you work day by day in your repentance, and Come and See.

[@JVTRUTH]

I was baptized into the Catholic Church and went to Catholic school for a while then later in life went into the Protestant Church (non denominational). I'm kind of confused about if those in Christ who have died are asleep until Christ returns or are curently alive in Heaven? Thanks!

[@Kay_Sire]

I got a question about the story of the desert fathers and the brothel. Why did the brother stop him from sinning?

[@ParanormalTheology]

We cannot succeed against lust in terms of force. It's a perversion of God's method of bringing new souls into the world so it is inevitable that sex will be a draw and obsession on some level. We must flee list. Leave the situation. Go for a walk and pray the Rosary. Remember it's YOU that wants intimacy and physical love, but it is NOT YOU that wants the sin and excess. Remem

[@Theophilus_8]

Why would I pray to a saint when I can just pray to Almighty God to help me like our Lord instructed us in Luke 11:1-11 and Luke 18:1-8? I can understand asking for someone to pray FOR you, but i don't understand praying TO a saint for help instead of God. There's a lot of things I like about Orthodoxy, but praying to saints for me is a massive stumbling block.

[@TheophanP]

No one is praying TO a Saint...at all. Pls look into further if interested.

[@raschelelliott7667]

If a wife forgives her unfaithful husband is the situations to continue over and over?

[@bankaihadouken1180]

Shame theres no orthodox near me, i go to an anglo catholic church- ancient in the tradition but no commune with the pope.

[@aaasworld8693]

how is the holy trinity explained in simple terms in orthdoxy

[@justinchamberlain3443]

28:01 why not pray directly to Christ; "scripture doesn't seem to reflect that model of relationship"; uses the centurion example but w respect that was not a baptized believer in the new covenant -covers praying to saints for help

[@RestoreTheBody]

What "task" has The Holy Spirit according to your doctrine? Do you EVER include Him in overcoming, deliverence etc?? Do orthodox' consider themselves as someones having The Holy Spirit??

[@realmccoy124]

Hello @RestoreTheBody - Orthodox spirituality can be best likened to a deep well where one can hear the sound of many waters. To understand the ‘core’ of the what is the basic teachings of the Faith are, the Nicene Creed is the ‘universal symbol of the Faith’. It is in absolutely every Divine Liturgy. I am not trying to be an equivocator here when I answer your question with a ‘yes / no’… The Protestant mindset and the Orthodox mindset greatly differs - and even when the same terminologies are used, contextually they are vastly different. Our approaches in how we live out our Faith and repentance connect in some places, and are entirely other when compared to different people groups in Protestantism. Most folks who are focused in deliverance and such, as your question seems to imply, hail from a charismatic / Pentecostalism camp. We view the Scriptures as medicinal and not from the juridical bent found in the Fractured West. So, faith in Christ God is a continual journey - a continual renewal - a continual revelation of who Christ God is - AND - who we are and are becoming in Him. So, we are baptized into Christ, we have put on Christ… and in addition, we sealed with a holy chrism oil in very specific places on our bodies, and we are tonsured - on the day we enter the Church and become newly illumined. We do not amp up folks and manipulate their emotions. The Divine Liturgy is worship to God - so, there very little focus on the individual. But, in Confession, the Priest places his stole over the head of the penitent and blesses them and the mystery of absolution is performed. This is a profoundly beautiful experience. The entirety of the Holy Trinity is included in all we do. We do not try and divide up the Godhead and objectify God to our limited and rational mind. Additionally, we have all the saints who we may encounter along the way who help us to overcome and to be freed from snares and things that easily beset us that we may walk from faith to faith victorious. I hope this helps and I pray you are encouraged. As your soul prospers. Lovingly, Lee.

[@RestoreTheBody]

@@realmccoy124 I'm not a protestant neither pentecostal. Though I find it funny that you rely on traditions when The Word is available for each individual, as Christ Himself. It's like your scripts have manipulated you when reading The Word, just what your traditions says about it, leaving out Holy Spirit can talk directly to you. And I think that is the reason it will be difficult for you try gather sheep's from other denominations. (But maybe you're not that eager to do so, as the catholic's) Why are you not doing the same as Christ? Same procedure as Christ, when He got baptised, then emptied Himself, fasting right after He got The Father on The inside/baptised in The holy Ghost? Because Chris told the disciples He would not leave them Fatherless. It seems like you priests have replaced yourselves with The Holy Ghost trying blockade the continuance of the grape clusters on The Vine, Christ, as we are to be mentored into spiritual gifts, growing to become apostles ,or as far as possible into a succetion for new grape clusters/ecclesia as we are branches on Christ.. I wish orthodox church would rinse out Khemit traditions and acknowledge the continuity of Moses and Christ instead

[@annalynn9325]

We start our morning and evening prayers to the Holy Spirit: O heavenly King, O Comforter, Spirit of truth, everywhere present and filling all things, treasury of good things and giver of life, come and dwell in us,cleanse us of every sin, and save our souls O gracious Lord Also there is a sacrament of healing at least every year

[@ZephrumEllison]

But isn’t there a difference between good pride and bad pride? How about the Father who is proud of his son? Or just having pride in your work? I think we can take the rejection of pride too far. We look at Satan how his pride was his fall. But on the other hand is it what is asked of us to be abstinent from joy or happiness altogether? Would God give us these feelings if there wasn’t a time and a place for them? There is also a story of a monk who out of piety refused to accept gifts of any kind, people would come from all over and bring gifts he would have them take them back out with them. Mothers would bring food, he would send the food back out with the mothers. Then one day a little girl came bearing a rose she had picked to give to the monk. He refused the rose. Then the little girl said this “then you refuse me also, for grace has knocked on your doors, and you have sent it away.” The moral is that it is ok to accept people and gifts and even to ask for help and to share the gifts and to give gifts of your own also. People want to give, so let them. These are not the rewards Christ spoke of on earth. These are the fruits.

[@aisha8335]

I’m confused about praying to Saints. Isn’t that idolatry? Or necromancy. Shouldn’t we only call on the Lord Jesus? The Saints are only men from Earth. We don’t worship or pray to anyone else but our Father and savior Jesus.

[@jph2856]

A break to what. Read a good book.

[@dijahsyoutubechannel]

nah.. talk to me about “it’s ok to be hungry” once everyone on earth is fed enough

[@jessenicholasaz]

What if I told you God is closer to the hungry than He is to the satisfied?

[@dijahsyoutubechannel]

@@jessenicholasaz i’m sure you believe that but that doesn’t mean it’s true

[@danab172]

I would like to know this guys response to the thousands of sexual abuse of children, within orthodox and catholic church.

[@user-vv1do1wg1j]

within orthodox? it was never a systemic cover up like it was with catholicism also he has talked about it before. also, public school teachers, media executives, jewish rabbis, actors, film producers, all commit FAR, FAR more SA of children than the catholics ever did and it is still ongoing, unlike catholicism i find it strange that you people only talk about child s abuse when it concerns christians, id think that if you really cared about it youd talk and obsess over the biggest abusers.

[@br.m]

Since covid started, I had been looking in to the eastern orthodoxy. I wanted a nice church. Many in America are too lax. They barely even mentioned the Bible in the last church I attended. It was like a rock show they had a smoke machine and laser show. Unfortunately the orthodox church doesn't make sense. It's too bad there is idolatry, praying to dead people, praying to Mary. That sounds just like the Catholic church which I have already known all about. Hearing about the schism gave me hope. I thought anyone who recognized Rome had a false doctrine should be better. Like when Martin Luther called the pope out over indulgences. Except I don't see Idolatry in the Lutheran movement. Nobody can explain to me. The Bible said do not make objects to bow to. The Bible said to not call people "father". Jesus said do not bless or worship Mary and Jesus said she is not his mother and she is not the mother of God. The Bible said so. Except the orthodox and Catholics do all those things. And nobody can explain or convince me why. All I hear is "we do not do those things". So on top of being idolaters, blasphemers, backslidden pagans, they are also all liars too? Hmm something just doesn't add up. They also restrict food and marriage too. Well... I guess Islam is closer to God. That's not a good sign. My search continues.

[@jonathancabada3104]

You left the Protestant Church but the Protestant Church didn’t leave you. Of course you’re going to view everything through a Protestant lens if you approach everything with that bias. Look into church history, don’t take my word or your pastors word. You have a lot of anti-Catholic/Orthodox baggage from your Protestant background. God bless!

[@harispaterakis917]

First of all, many things that first Christians were doing, under Apostles guidance are not in the Bible. The sign of the cross, the divine liturgy and Eucharist, the priesthood, the honor to Saints and their bodies after their death. The faith that the Bible is the biggest authority for the Christians is something that started after Luther, and because of that now there are more than 500 different so-called churches. Now things you mentioned like do not call anyone father, to not bow to icons etc the most of them come from wrong translation that Luther did. They have different meaning in Greek language but also explained thousand of years before by the holy fathers and students of the Apostles.

[@realmccoy124]

This comment sort of feels like an old school Pentecostal / Fundamentalist Bible tract used back in the day for ‘witnessing’ - in disguise. But, let’s say you are being honest and sincere. Firstly, it sounds like you have already established a bias against the Eastern Orthodox Church and you not genuinely inquiring about Holy Orthodoxy. If the Lord is drawing you into all fullness, then perhaps it would be wise to lay aside some pride - and muster up a teachable spirit. The Orthodox Church doesn’t ask for our opinions - and since the faith is experiential - one really needs to find a solid parish and grow by the measure of grace already present in one’s life. Come and see - experience the goodness of God in a loving community. Be encouraged.

[@br.m]

@@realmccoy124 Hi thanks for your thoughtful response. There is nothing wrong with bias,. I may be like that Steven Crowder fellow who sets up a table with a statement and asking anyone "Change my mind". You advise me to muster a teachable spirit. However, should I be looking to be taught? In fact, I have but 1 teacher and He is in Heaven. So I was just looking to make sense of it. It just doesn't add up. I was looking to understand the church and its traditions. It just seems like they have taken the bronze snake, given it a name, and worship it. It seems like Moses went up the hill and the church makes father Aaron create a golden calf for them. If you have the time. How do you overcome 1 Timothy 4 as it pertains to your church? I mean, according to 1 Timothy 4 the Catholic and Orthodox are what Paul is warning against. Change my mind? Your church has special food days, and a priest can not marry. 1 Timothy 4 says that this is wrong, and 1 Timothy 4 verse 6 informs me that I should be pointing this out to you. Then I am a faithful minister. 1 Timothy 4 New International Version 4 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. 6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.

[@br.m]

@@harispaterakis917 So you are saying I should throw away my Old Testament? What if I have been starting to read interlinear Bible? Referring to Strongs Concordance, to see what the Greek words are supposed to mean. Line by line, word for word? Dear, the whole entire Bible has much on the topic of idols. "Icons" clearly qualify as idols. You would need me to lie to myself to pretend otherwise. Abraham was called by God out of sin, in a sinful world full of pagans and idols and doctrines of demons. Since Abraham, God has clearly been trying to get humans to move further away from where Abraham escaped. Therefore, I only see backsliding. Your church has backslidden and the prophet Jeremiah has words for you. 1 Timothy 4 has words for you. Sir if you are condemning Martin Luther then you must believe in indulgences, purgatory, and that monasteries are factories that earn favors, which can be sold as an "indulgence" to sinners. That is what Luther wanted to discuss and they tried to murder him. He was a faithful servant, a laborer in the vineyard who will get the same pay as any other laborer. Why didn't Jesus honor dead bodies? Why did he not even attend funerals and say "let the dead bury the dead"? Or did Luther edit that too and in the Greek it says "lift the dead over your head and parade them around and make pilgrimages to worship their bones and relics" Would you try again?

[@fellowdanbarber3323]

Since when do we need saints for help? This is blasphemy. The ONLY one that can help you is GOD. The ONLY one who can save you is God through Jesus Christ. The ONLY one we pray to and glorify is GOD.

[@lifeinthe80s]

Help yourself! No God

[@realmccoy124]

This is a typical Protestant fronema (mindset), and it feels rather steeped in American cultural values where ‘individualism’ is greatly esteemed. In an Orthodoxy, Salvation is worked out in Community, not independently. As I understand things - the Church Triumphant, the Church Militant are in Christ God. And we are connected to the Saints and those who have entered their repose - just as much as we are connected to those who are standing next to us in our local parish, and all Christians across to the globe. We all participate in ‘ministry of helps’ - because we all work together in a synergy of the salvation of the cosmos with God. I am confident that my Saint has walked with me my whole life, even when I was far from God… and none of this would have been possible had he not been connected to Christ God. It wasn’t until I was about 9 months out from entering the Orthodox Church that I learned his name… I knew he was a Celtic Saint. I stood in his land on vacation, looking at his little island off the coast of Northumbria, having no idea why I was drawn to the island in my spirit 5 years I entered the Church… Holy Cuthbert Wonder Worker of Lindisfarne.

[@jessenicholasaz]

How do you explain the Centurion going to Christ on behalf of His servant? Why didn't Christ insist that the servant must come to Him alone? What if both things are true? What if you're right... and God is the only one who can save... AND what if He does so THROUGH other people? I wonder if you're unwilling to accept this premise, what that says about how you view people, and how it is you came to view them in such a way?

[@copyright8291]

Saints are mediators between you and God. It is easier to have your prayer taken into consideration by a Saint who can then plead to God on your behalf, as one must achieve a greater level of purity and even godliness for God to answer directly. This is why prayers to the Saints are needed. But if you consider yourself worthy to speak only to God directly and make your requests heard, by all means.

[@synthesaurus]

@@copyright8291 The gospels clearly indicate that Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient for the sinners to come to the Father through Jesus the Savior. No one else is required. It is pretty clearly stated throughout the New Testament. The vail has been torn because Jesus the High Priest payed the ultimate price for our sins. Bypassing Him seems like a lack of faith or pride IDK

[@OrthoFireCrusader]

Father I have a question : why does God allow physical attacks from the demons ? does it actually help someone in his spiritual journey ? for exemple Saint Anthony the Great is said to have barely breathed after being physically atttacked by demons and he was in extreme physical pain. please can you explain

[@jessenicholasaz]

Short answer: Because He loves them. God is with every person and gives him what he needs.

[@OrthoFireCrusader]

@@jessenicholasaz Yes but how does that help them in any way

[@senpaidiodaddy3331]

@@OrthoFireCrusaderI mean I would look at job and use him as an analogy, God never puts you through something that you can’t preserve through, he permits it because he knows Saint Anthony the Great was strong and indeed he is now a Saint with God. I suppose it meant something and truly tempted his strength to be a monk, God let him know it was not easy, I’m not a priest, those are just my thoughts. There is nothing God does not know and he is just.

[@LouiseIngram-hd5yc]

Self discipline is under rated.