DEAD TO THE WORLD = THE BEGINNING OF LIFE

[@lady7918]

Don't give up hope on the west. As the Good Lord scatters us into the different parts of the world, we become seeds to where we go. I have come to discover the Greek Fathers in the desert of the USA. I have come to learn about the saints of Eastern Europe and Russia in the desert of the USA. Blessed be our God, He's always at work through His people. With love and respect, thank you.

[@Sudden-Death]

Just heard this in 2024, 3 years later and it’s very impactful thank you

[@iunusdimitriu3443]

Salutări din România 💙💛❤️

[@Jasmin-zs8hw]

God Bless you, Father. Please pray for my sick grandpa who just came out of the hospital and is very ill, my name is Jasmin Habib who is just a little girl wishing my Grandpa can feel better. Please help me Father also and pray that I can become successful in school.

[@shawnhampton8503]

For years, as a monk, I was taught that the Desert Fathers went to the desert because of the "Godlessness and debauchery, immorality, and decadence, etc." of the world. And that is true in a sense but not nearly the whole story. I realized that they did this because the Church had been made the "State Church" and that it was suddenly being overrun by social-climbing, ambitious, bureaucrats who cared nothing for Christ or His teachings, but knew they needed to "get the right religion" so they could advance in the Empire and curry favor with someone higher up than them. Yesterday they were offering sacrifices at a pagan temple and now they were putting on a cross and saying they were Christian because it was the "cool thing to do". Christianity had only just emerged from the age of Martyrs - where being killed for being a Christian was considered the greatest sacrifice of love to God. Now that the Church was not only "legal and tolerated, but THE OFFICIAL STATE CHURCH life was too easy: one could easily slide into mediocrity and being comfortable and pulled into the ways of the "world". Thank you, Father again for such a wonderful talk. Bless you and your communities.

[@andreahutchinson5783]

The amen.

[@scottgriffin9910]

Please pray for me father.. my name is scott griffin... I'm very sick and my family is sick as well..

[@mullmonastery]

Dear Scott, may Christ bless you and all whom you carry in your heart and prayers, dear one. I am so sorry to hear about your illness - I pray your health is restored quickly and that this brief suffering only strengthens your faith. Be blessed, dear one.

[@scottgriffin9910]

@@mullmonastery God bless you as well..

[@bethbloomer5951]

I will.pray for you and your family as well. Remember your spirit is capable of overcoming incredible odds. We are designed to overcome.

[@robinski5031]

Prayers going your way. Blessings to you and your family

[@kevinegan6311]

I too will pray for you and your family Scott, God Bless.

[@bethbloomer5951]

This is 100% the BEST advice and life path for humanity. The freedom and love that follows is absolutely beautiful and brilliant. I dearly love your sermons, your heart shines bright! Thank you.

[@joannhacker9120]

Sometimes we also need to show that same compassion to those with dementia.

[@syncleticasaint9134]

Yes!!! The Elderly have been made the scapegoat of these times along with the little ones . Please learn to embrace them. When i was a child my best friends were all in their 70's 80's and i read Scripture to them and sat by their beds and sang my school songs to them and danced folk dances. Then came the time i sat by their coffins. I did not see them as dead but as asleep. I loved my friends who were so full of wisdom! They taught me even with few words.

[@JaythePandaren]

This is a Good message. We need to be doing this more often. It's not easy for all of us, but Instead of paying attention to the Filth of the world, why don't we rest at the bosom of the Lord Jesus Christ who truly loves us for us instead.

[@caroldonaldson5936]

This is such a graphic illustration of dying to self/the world - it really landed with me Fr Seraphim - thank you.🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿♥️

[@thesaintcivillainofficial]

Bless you for your wisdom, Father.

[@mullmonastery]

May God bless us all, dear Gado. Please stay safe and healthy, wherever you are, and keep us in your prayers.

[@paul_rider]

Your words are so helpful. I felt dead to the world for a long time, but like a fool I buried that and attached myself to it fully. It has taken me many years to realise what you are saying now. There is a beautiful paradox in detaching yourself from the world you are able to love the people in it properly. Thank you.

[@drjohnn.sutherland3455]

After 40 years, I am beginning to understand. Bless you.

[@jameshutchins3396]

May the joy and peace of the love of the trinity with the saints fill all of our hearts father.

[@Mandf-fikir4ever]

❤💒❤ Thank you father🙏 I'm Ethiopian Orthodox Bliever and watching from Kuwait. 💚💛❤

[@yonasgirmaw6724]

Me too from ethiopia and I deeply respect fr seraphim a true chrstian monk.

[@r.m5883]

May u be a light unto darkness there❤️✝️

[@WittgensteinsBeetle]

That story from the desert fathers is one of my favorites as well. Thank you for your beautiful reflection, Father.

[@hilarywhite2953]

I love this story so much! The brother in the cemetery verbally abusing the dead... always makes me laugh. It's such a funny and great way to get this point across.

[@mullmonastery]

I know, dear Hilary. It's so beautiful to sense the humour of the Fathers - it says so much about their love for their younger brothers, and also about the need to always pick oneself up and find something positive in anything. A one-second smile can prevent a months-long depression. be blessed, dear one.

[@eraimattei]

But... Why do saints like Basil and Benedictine often wrote about ascetic life needing to be sad, to never smile and to always be serious. This has been one of my main obstructions with Monasticism (that and to what degree one has to abandon material possessions)

[@florencewhite7758]

Thank you Father, great explanation of dying to self.

[@mullmonastery]

May we all be blessed, dear Florence. There is so much JOY in what Christ is teaching us, but we somehow manage to turn everything into something sad or frightening - this is why I felt the need to talk about this. Please keep me and the Monastery in your prayers.

[@willmich1]

"Judge me, oh Lord" (If I am exalted by pride, humble me; If I am brought down by despondency, raise me up with hope and love.) For in mine innocence have I walked; And hoping in the Lord, I shall not grow weak. Prove me, oh Lord and try me; Prove with fire, my rains and my heart. For Thy mercy is before mine eyes, and I have been well pleasing in my truth." Psalm 25 As dross is removed from gold or silver, so too must the world be separated from my body. (ie my passions of Gluttony, anger, lust, vainglory, lying covetousness, selfishness, self-centredness anxiety, pride, despondency) I need to let go of this unnecessary baggage, and then I ask God to forge for me by His fire into the sword, the plowshare, whatever instrument I am intended to be, for as of yet, I don't know what that looks like. I need to become the man I was intended to be, the father I was intended to be, the son I was intended to be, the friend I was intended to be, The husband I was intended to be. May I die to the world, pick up my cross, And follow Him today.

[@willmich1]

I work as a hospice nurse currently, I have been on a psych ward, worked all over the hospital on different specialties, with people of every walk of life. The idea of looking beyond behaviours to what the deeper person is really resonates with me. Bless you and your kind words to this fallen world!

[@andemariam1763]

Amen Amen Amen father from Eritrea pray for us as people of Orthodox Church

[@mullmonastery]

May God bless you, dear Andemariam, and may He keep you safe and healthy.

[@annaread3829]

Thank you Father for this beautiful message! We western Orthodox are so mixed up in our understanding of the faith because it passes through our mixed-up western world views. To truly die to the world and to ourselves is something we know very little about, we think of it as rejection and seeing nothing good. Thank you for this beautiful, eye opening message!

[@nickcef]

What you are saying can be very difficult for many people, but once we embrace death to the world, we all discover the powerful rebirth of our consciousness and souls. May you live forever in the loving arms of Our Lady!

[@sisternovice]

Very important message here today

[@MalikaIC]

Thank you father for this BEAUTIFUL and Powerful sharing/ teaching..It moves me deeply..Infinite blessings father.....

[@michaelcampbell1936]

Thank you father. Blessings 🙏

[@user-rf9bg7oy7m]

You answered my prayer. Thank you Father. Silence wins many arguments, as my father used to say.

[@Mr.SLovesTheSacredHeartofJesus]

You are so right brother. Your daily messages are like a beacon of light to me and many others. As the storm clouds of this world grow darker and gather stronger. We always have the word of God to help us. We all must remember, that no matter what, God will never abandon us. There's nothing to fear when you have God on your side.

[@MrIvorfan]

Your message today, Father, is DEEPLY meaningful. As you say in the Byzantine rite: “Wisdom. Let us attend.”

[@Erstus]

This resonates with my soul a lot. The same way, as You describe, I've also been dead to the world. For me It's often just the most natural way to act, as if I don't even know what the world expects. Sometimes I've wondered if I should somehow be more connected to the world, even if it doesn't feel genuine, but that's obviously wrong and would give horrible results. Still I sometimes have doubts, even though I've gotten signs, that I shouldn't worry about it. With Your video, I believe that Lord wanted to make it abundantly clear, that this is the right way, that He has meant for me. Bless You!

[@carltonpoindexter2034]

As always, thank you Father Seraphim and keep us here in America in your prayers. You are a bit of light in the darkness of the world.

[@victorinoterradillosortega2539]

Filocalía. Padres del desierto. Nos hablan siempre, son fundamento y experiencia en nuestra fe cristiana. Gracias. Paz y Bien.

[@Subeffulgent]

Awesome! Awesome God we serve, awesome Holy Spirit. Thank you Jesus!

[@martinniceski4032]

You should start a show about the desert fathers and theur best teachings.

[@grez6330]

Thankyou my father, I love your teachings.

[@sisternovice]

I so love your talks, you are not afraid to go deeper and explain to us how to go about being a better Christian person. All this on the internet, to an audience that may or may not appreciate your candor. Still in all, I feel as if we are having a personal conversation to all my issues. I guess the surprise is, we all have some of the same issues. Thank you for trying so hard to give so much of yourself. It takes a special person to do this.

[@mariajiboc7168]

Părinte Aldea,sunteți minunat,un om trimis de Dumnezeu, spre ajutorul nostru!V-as ruga tare mult, dacă aveți timp,sa faceți videoclipuri și in limba română, pentru românii de acasă sau ce-i care nu înțeleg limba engleză, sunt sigură ca ați fi de ajutor pt mulți!Vă mulțumesc tare mult

[@lizsalmon533]

Thank you Fr Seraphim for your message today. As always Our Lord provided for my needs through your video. I too have much need of this lesson today and I will take your words with me and by the grace of God I will be a better Christian. Be blessed brothers and sisters in mull and throughout the world. My prayers are given up for you all. From your sister Elizabeth.

[@liehhungc3261]

Amen! In the next sermon, I am going to preach about this. Thank you, Father, for sharing the story of the desert fathers. This IS so important if we would like to receive grace and further connect to God.

[@amybastock8370]

Thank you, Father. I have always had difficulty understanding “death to the world”. This was a wonderful explanation. By your prayers, I will make progress.

[@МодестАдидасович-р5я]

Thank you very very much, dear Brother Seraphim. Your help is absolutly vital. The fight is hard, but with your help pointing to Christ and His true deciples we have Hope. We all should try our best untill the end. I pray for you and your brotheren and all of us in struggle. Thank you for your sincerity and kindness.

[@cynthiasarah4286]

Amen. Wow!!!❤

[@MarciesWhimsySoaps]

Thank you Father. You have motivated me to go to Mass today. I have so much frustration and anger that I wasnt going to go. I will take this talk to heart . Thank you and God bless you!

[@audreydonovan6710]

May God bless you Father for your words of wisdom. Please God I will learn to act and react in this way in future 🙏

[@barbarahvilivitzky6747]

Wonderful: be dead to the violent, lustful, hateful world - be non-reactive to the action of the world. Very good advice.

[@blahblee9383]

Thank God for you and the words you speak

[@zoiamadge4199]

Amin! Multumesc Domnului, ca v-a scos in calea mea prin 2015, cand am primit ajutor si din cele impartasite de dvs, la fel ca si acum, cu invataturile de credinta atat de necesare. Sa fiti binecuvantat de Domnul nostru Iisus Hristos si Maica Lui sa va acopere de tot raul!

[@bone6495]

I cant so read, so it wont stop me.

[@tinttiakka2028]

Thank you

[@robinski5031]

Very Very wonderful Post today. Absolutely loved the story. Makes so much sense. Thank you yet again for your knowlege and love. God Bless you.

[@syncleticasaint9134]

Excellent and Strong and True. You are holding one of the books that brought me to monastic life. Amen my Brother.

[@teodorangelov3764]

Praise The Lord !!!

[@andreahutchinson5783]

Thank you for what you are doing. Mrs. Hutchinson

[@rebeccamyers9441]

Thank you, Father. A timely message in these days when we struggle with our judgement and reaction to those who oppose our views. I am reminded of the poem “ If” by Rudyard Kipling, of all people. It starts “If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you. . .” But my favorite line is “If you can meet Triumph and Disaster And treat those two imposters just the same. . .” And the ending is “Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it. And-which is more- you’ll be a Man, my son. “ Death to the world as Love for the world. It is a lifeline in these perilous times. Deep calling to Deep. May God bless you and the monastery and strengthen you to continue the good work.

[@greatpharoh0303]

Pray for me Father Seraphim. Phillip El-Masry Coptic orthodox Christian in the United states seeking monastic vocation. To be the Saint I was created to become. I will pray for you as well. You are often in my heart and thoughts.

[@noell50]

Thank you my brother. Such a timely message. I received it in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Shalom

[@thomascornish9340]

Amen, praise God, amen amen.

[@Sophie-lg4li]

Thank you father this has been very helpful

[@prodigaldawtr7907]

Thank you so much 🙏✝️🌹

[@sofiak.4294]

Father I had read that many years ago and now I begin to realize what you explain it says: Dead to the world, death to our selves=birth to Christ. That doesn t mean hate to ourselves and the world. I probably start to understand it now due to the fact that as well I lost my mother recently and at the same time I was abandond by my relashionship... but not from God 💔💞

[@irina2549]

Thank you, Father! Greetings from Ukraine.

[@Book-bz8ns]

This helps a lot. This is going to be very difficult for me.

[@zacharylowreyna]

Thank you for this life and earth affirming message. It strikes me as very timely and relevant even if it comes from millennia past. So often I have supposed that being a Christian means fleeing from the world, a reaction rather than an affirmative drive. This orthodox vision is wonderful, thanks.

[@frankdee4526]

Thank you for that wisdom and direction Father. Especially in this troubling time, we need love more than ever and to find humility and rid ourselves of anger. Only our Lord can heal and direct us. If more people contemplated this wisdom the world could begin to heal. Amen

[@Mary-ui4im]

Amen Father. So beautiful to be/feel the release of not taking part in the evil actions that happen in the world even though I have to work in the world. Such a gift and grace.

[@mullmonastery]

We are the seed of what is good in the world, dear Mary. The fallenness of the world is not part of us, but it can provide the right soil for the seeds to grow roots. Be blessed, dear one.

[@brentgarner3143]

Amen yes and amen Fr. Seraphim

[@triciagarea9576]

Thank you Fr, and God bless Amen.

[@margareta7439]

Thank you so much dear Father, you always touching my heart deeply! During a very dark time of my life I came to know the desert fathers and I can say, with the Grace of our Lord they kept me alive, they were food for my desparate soul - God bless you Father!

[@katyarn85]

This was EXACTLY what I needed to hear. Thank you so much for this. I struggle with anger and I am thinking it is because I have not died to my selfish desire to be loved. The Litany of Humility has been recently meaningful in my life, " From the desire of being loved, deliver me Jesus" Would you say that this is a description of the virtue of Meekness? I think this concept helps us to easily love the world, because we cannot be hurt by the world. I love the idea of being "Dead to the world" So many people lately have told me that I am dead to them. Well praise God then. Thank you so much.

[@katyarn85]

senka bogolomov Thank you for your VERY kind reply. Your kindness means a lot to me. Here is where my mind is currently: What do you do when you are raised with parents who ignore basic needs. I never felt loved by them. I was so ill and they basically left me to lie on the floor and die. My mother told me she would not love me if I was fat and I believed her because of the way she treated her other daughter. Then I found people to live with and I thought they were my friends. They called me family until I became Christian and then they tossed me out, and their friends, who were supposedly my friends, treated me like 😡🤬

[@noviwulandari6841]

Thats I need ...thx u Father Seraphim..❤

[@OMurchadha]

I watched this only an hour ago, and the impact was immediate. The desert fathers have a way of doing this for me, but Fr. Seraphim expounding on this had amazing significance. I can't thank you enough, Father.

[@644eirenicon3]

Love you my bro . Thank you. God bless all .

[@martinniceski4032]

Thank you father, this was really helpfull. God bless you! By the way your vudeos are so good i love them and they make me feel calm and happy.

[@Elany.lyon1388]

Its amazing how we can be dead to our flesh in some areas, and very much alive in others. I guess it takes a lifetime to give the Lord every single area that youve hidden from yourself. The rooting up of ego and ugly things that have been past down. Lord Jesus have mercy on us all.

[@halabouabs6166]

Beautifully said Father❤️ I think you’re right to emphasize our need to look back to the roots of our faith in particular when we’re watching the danger of “modernism” that is disfiguring our christian values ; the world is promoting post- Christianity Era ; therefore it is natural to come to the conclusion that either a Christian kills the world in his heart, or the world will kill Christ in his heart. Thank you dear Father 🙏🏻please keep me in your prayers ❤️

[@amyfrezgy4198]

Thank you father as always you are the best Monk online teacher of the year . May God rewarded you for your effort. Yes, I love all dessert fathers we have many in Ethiopia & Eritrea🇪🇷. And all dessert fathers in the world are the true leaving orthodox Christian s. 👌

[@judyrussoniello1497]

Blessings

[@wendyflanagan5738]

Seeking God in all.

[@Звездноенебо-ю1о]

Спасибо, братия. Со святками вас, и с Крещением Господним. Помогай вам Господь молитвами св Иоанна

[@IamN...]

The journey is long, but short.

[@kiriaioulia]

A timely and beautiful message!

[@needgamer5506]

Father, I ask for your help for my home is full of bad energy that is affecting my family really badly. I pray for them and my home and I ask for you wisdom for I don't know how to help and what to do.

[@mc-vu4vh]

Multumesc parinte de acest sfat. Chiar aveam nevoie de un sfat bun in a nu raspunde cu rau la tot felul de provocari. Este greu uneori dar este cel mai sanatos. O seara binecuvintata!

[@mullmonastery]

O seara binecuvantata sa va randuiasca Domnul si dumneavoastra.

[@cathy3130]

This video lecture and story is so alive in the deep Spirit of Christ. Thank you for this video and I hope that I may watch and listen to it many times more. It teaches so much, and reassures my personal spiritual growth will be on the right track (track so to speak). Thankful in the name of Jesus Christ for your outreach to us.

[@mmaakkiinn]

AMHN 🙏

[@ionvoiculet3210]

🙏

[@rafasbf1775]

Dear Father your wish and your blessings to me. A man who want to become a priest.

[@ramario6195]

That was beautiful

[@brentgarner3143]

Wow this was really timely Glory to God Father Son and Holy Spirit a hard time at work and people some family giveing me a hard time for becoming Orthodox Christian

[@inezvasquez8104]

Thank you For. Seraphim! Glory to God 🙏. For he has delivered peace through your video.

[@tresageorge2535]

Thank you Father. Your messages always come to me when I am troubled and not able to come back to prayer. Thank you. Your messages always comfort me and help me get back on track.

[@sebleasfaw2368]

Thank u 🙏🏾 always beautiful bless u 🇨🇦🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@NMMD1531]

Thanks

[@shawnhampton8503]

I read an author that translated the words "the world" as "the System". I like this very much because God dearly loves this world, the creation, and all God's creatures and will come and make a new Heaven and a new Earth. "The System" is the network of empty and noisy falsehood: empty pleasures, "fun", greed, ambition, exploitation, and every other sinful craziness - including the various behaviors that spring from our sinful impulses. I love this collection of the Sayings of the Desert Fathers so much.

[@JohnchapterVersesand]

Dead to the world. I exist dead inside already father. Pray for me.

[@nannettefreitag2055]

Thank you for this message. I really needed this..

[@RitaEarlePeterson]

Thanks for “keep on...keeping on”. It’s obvious from your deep breaths every so often, the passion and frustration...of trying to get this message across. Relax! 🥵. You successfully accomplished that! 😘. Sleep well

[@michellecoombes5531]

why do I cry (not out of sadness) when I listen to your videos?

[@sandrafulton4351]

wonderful

[@alfredhitchcock45]

Interior peacefulness

[@brentgarner3143]

Thank you for this, most helpful

[@subdeaconk]

Bless, Father! How can one do this as a “fish out of water?” I’m stuck in the world as someone who should be in a monastery or a shack deep in the woods. I’m too weak to resist the temptations of the world.

[@Kressa1111]

God will give you grace. He will put you through the fire and refine you. You heard it said that when you are weak then you are strong. We all carry one another’s burden and your willingness to acknowledge your weakness will become your strength.