Would I rather be Catholic or Orthodox?

[@2wizard1]

I converted to Roman Catholic Church from Protestantism two weeks ago, but i always ask the Holy Spirit to guide me, so that i will never think that i am now better than the protestants and orthodox christians. All Glory to the Most Holy Trinity!

[@virgopotens226]

Try the extraordinary form you will love it even more.

[@padraicbrown6718]

Welcome home!

[@georgios7191]

@@virgopotens226 but to a diocesan or fssp church not fsspx *

[@2wizard1]

@@virgopotens226 yes I know! I fell in love with Catholic church, after i attended latin mass celebrated by SSPX. Until now, i sometimes traveled with train for 2 hours, so that i can attend the nearest Latin mass celebrated by FSSP. But normally i just attend novus ordo weekly.

[@2wizard1]

@@padraicbrown6718 Thank you! Praised be Jesus Christ!

[@micahkirn6756]

Something my priest told me when converting to Orthodoxy, don't disregard your experiences with God as a protestant, inside the church grace works from within, but outside the church grace still moves us but external to us. Be grateful for all things and all people that have brought you to where you are today.

[@Apriluser]

Great words. My husband and I are evangelicals/Pentecostals who have moved into Anglicanism. He is now a priest. I like to say that I learned to love Jesus and the Scriptures in my evangelical upbringing, and I’ve learned to love Christ’s Church as an Anglican.

[@dansedevie123]

Very wise words! I was never Protestant, baptized Catholic but first learned about Jesus from.... LDS members! (We were cultural Catholics and I was young at the time so I hardly knew what was going on at church and my parents never explained any of it in kid friendly language). And somehow I found an old protestant children's bible in my house, that was my first experience with the stories of the Bible. My first experience with the Eucharist was again as a kid, not knowing better (although I know in the Eastern Churches you commune infants, which I do think is awesome!) going up to receive, and having a profound encounter with Jesus. God has done amazing things

[@dallasbrat81]

Thats moden psychology

[@brouwer2013]

Former protestant here who converted to orthodoxy. (Incl my wife and 4 childeren) It has been such a blessing. May our Triune God be with you and your family Austin.

[@olivetaelizabeth]

So happy to hear that Austin finally is making a decision to come back to the roots of Christianity. A cradle Catholic here whose love for Abba our Father, Jesus our Saviour and Mary our beloved Mother keeps growing each day, welcome Home Austin, I too love The Orthodox way of worship and will be happy to receive you in either of our Churches, welcome again and stay blessed.

[@a.kamileon]

What’s your story? I’m a Protestant thinking about orthodoxy for 2 years now

[@voievod9260]

​@@a.kamileon I can help you with your questions. Im Eastern Orthodox. I'm not a theologian but any question Im unable to answer, I take it to my parish father. I have a discord where we can talk if you have a microphone. If you are interested please say so, and I will post my discord info so that you can add me.

[@rafaelleheartfillia2750]

​@@voievod9260 I'm interested

[@voievod9260]

@@rafaelleheartfillia2750 youtube is deleting my comments.

[@AJ-me1dg]

I converted to Orthodoxy last year, and I can honestly say it has been one of the best decisions of my life. God bless you, Austin.

[@HollyMD71]

We were Protestants for 30 years and studied the ancient church for YEARS. We were convinced the Orthodox Church was the right path for us. My entire family of 12 converted in 2020 and we have never looked back. There’s so much to learn and so much more room to grow even though I’ve been a Christian for 40 years. Thank you for your channel. It’s always very interesting and you are always so gracious!

[@Mavvyd96]

So based, we love to hear it.

[@the4gospelscommentary]

HOW can you study the early church "for years" and conclude that "orthodoxy" is the true church?? Early church fathers were unanimous about the filioque and papal supremacy/infallibility, the "orthodox" call these doctrines heretical. The Fathers taught Divine simplicity, the "orthodox" invented Palamism. Roman Catholicism is true Christianity, and it's not even close.

[@MathieuLLF]

​@@the4gospelscommentaryshhh they don't want facts here...

[@countryboyred]

@@the4gospelscommentarybecause you are just simply wrong. The early church did not believe in the Filioque, that was a Roman innovation. The early church did not believe in absolute divine simplicity, they believed in the distinction between essence and energies. They certainly not did believe in papal infallibility as Vatican 1 defines it. Vatican 1 and 2 are in complete contradiction with each other. You put down Gregory of Palamas yet your own Roman church now considers him to be a Saint even after centuries of condemning him. The Roman church has constant innovations that aren’t consistent with the teachings of the first 1000 years. The Assumption of Mary, the Immaculate Conception are two examples of dogma that came WAY late and would have been utterly foreign to the early church. Papists like you are so blinded by Latin heresy it’s unbelievable. Anyone with a clear mind can study the history of the early church and easily determine that Roman “Catholicism” is definitely not the faith of the first 1000 years.

[@the4gospelscommentary]

@@countryboyred Almost every thing that you wrote in your post is false, but for the sake of brevity, let's just focus on filioque and Divine simplicity. There is no one single Saint or Council in the early Church, that would teach the "orthodox" doctrine of monopatrism (procession of the Spirit from the Father alone), or palamism (that there is a real distinction in God between His esence and His attributes). That alone completely refutes "orthodoxy". If you think that you can prove othervise, and show that somebody did teach these "orthodox" innovations, I'll wait.

[@shanekavin3097]

I'm a convert to Eastern Orthodoxy. My wife and I converted a few years ago and our son and our child on the way are born into the Church. It has been and continues to be the most incredible spiritual journey of my life. It was a very prayerful journey and continues to be. I find the fullness of the Christian faith here. I have many wonderful friends who are Catholic and Protestant and have been involved in many different churches. God bless you on your journey. May Christ our True God, who rose from the dead on the third day, through the prayers of His Holy Mother and of all the saints guide you on your journey whenever He may lead you. I will pray for you, please pray for me, a sinner.

[@mythologicalmyth]

Congrats

[@t.d6379]

Imagine leaving Protestantism for the Orthodox Protest! 😂

[@jaybelle1909]

This is why ppl don't like orthodox or catholicism because of worshipping the saints... why do you worship Mary? God could've picked any other woman, but Mary was of the right blood line at the time appointed... Jesus said that John was the greatest born of man, but the least in heaven is greater than john... if Mary was to held so high, Jesus would've mentioned her, not john... orthodox and catholicism still believe in works based salvation, which the Bible clearly states several times is not the case... orthodox and catholicism believe their ministers' words and doctrines are near equal to the Bible, which is another big issue with these churches...

[@shanekavin3097]

@@jaybelle1909 May God bless you on your journey, Jay. Peace be with you. I will try to answer your question as best as I can but forgive me, I am a sinner and not a theologian. First, it is a common misunderstanding that Roman Catholics and Orthodox worship the blessed Virgin Mary, the Theotokos (Greek for the one who gave birth to God (Christ being fully God fully man)) and the saints. We do not, nor have we ever worshiped, in the modern understand of the word, Mary or the Saints. We do, however venerate, or give honor to the saints and to the Mother of God. After all, are we not to honor our fathers and mothers? But God alone is worshiped, or the more proper, worthy of our adoration. We give glory only to God as God. So how, we must ask, is God glorified? How is His wonder manifested? God is wondrous in his saints (Ps 68:35 {67:35 in the Psalter according to the seventy.}) And He is coming to be glorified in His saints (2 Thess 1:10.) And the Lord is magnified in our souls (Luke 1:46) Do who are saints? Saints are those who have done the will of God in imitation of Him and we are also told to imitate them (1 Cor 11:1) Now one might say "but they are dead." And in the flesh, that would be correct, but we are both soul and body, and the soul never dies. Death has become only sleep as it says in the Holy Scriptures since Christ conquered death. "Christ is risen from the dead trampling down death by death and upon those in the tombs bestowing life" -Paschal hymn of the Orthodox Church. Christ entered into death and through his death and resurrection He defeated death permanently. To call these people dead is to the deny resurrection, that is to deny the very power of Christ. Let us not "hold to a form of godliness but deny it's power." 2 Timothy 3:5. So are they dead and unable to have any sense of the ongoing time and struggles of their brethren or their own part sufferings? According to Mark 12:26-27 He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, all whom are dead physically. But Christ says He is the God of the living, not the dead. To be apart from the body is to be present with Christ (2 Cor. 5:8) At the Transfiguration we see Moses and Elijah standing on the mountain with Christ and the Apostles (Matt 17:3). We also see at the Crucifixion the bodies of the saints rising and going into the cities and seen by many (Matt 27:52). In the parable of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) we see the rich man still aware of his living brothers and begging God to send Lazarus back to save them. In Revelation 6:9-11 we see the saints under the altar aware that there is still the suffering of the world going on and that they have not yet been avenged. And we see also King Saul do a great evil by going to a medium to bring up the dead prophet Samuel and talk to him. Bad idea but it happened just the same. (1 Samuel 28:9-20). By now we see these people are very much alive in spirit and do converse with God and are aware of the ongoing passage of time. If these people have finished the race as Paul says and are at the feet of Christ, would they not gladly intercede for their suffering brethren on their behalf? Is love between Christians limited only to the living? No, love never ends, love never fails (1 Cor 13:8) So we ask for their prayers for us since they are not really separated from us. We are good all throughout The Holy Scriptures to pray for one another. And prayer to the saints to ask for they intercessions does not mean they have power in and of themselves but the power is through Christ. After all, the word pray is just asking or beseeching earnestly. The Macedonian man prayed to Paul to come preach the them. (King James Translation Acts 16:9-10) Now while John is the greatest among the OT prophets, he was under the old law and covenant. The new covenant that Christ was about to establish was so much greater that the least in the kingdom is greater than John, since we have the fulfillment of it all. Mary, the Holy Theotokos, the mother of God, is the greatest among the Christian saints, having so fully committed herself to God and submitting herself fully to His will (Luke 1:38). She was not randomly chosen for her bloodline but uniquely prepared when given to the temple at the age of 3 to be offered to God. There she spent her life in prayer and obedience to God. When she came of age, she was betrothed to Joseph. But having so completely submitted her life to God she was uniquely prepared for the role of Theotokos and when approached by the Angel Gabriel she again submitted herself wholly to the Will of God. (Luke 1:38) She is also called blessed among women by the Angel (Luke 1:28) and Elizabeth (Luke 1:42). Then she being filled with the Holy Spirit prophesies that from there forward every generation would call her blessed. (Luke 1:48) meaning that Christians from there forward would continue to honor her and call her blessed. She is the blessed Virgin, the great example, because she continuously submitted herself to the Will of God. Also, as Jesus' mother, she has a special bond with Him, an influence that we don't have, such as when she influenced Him to change the water into wine (John 2:1-11). And since we know that persistent prayers can affect God's actions, why not ask The mother of God to help us? We would never degrade our own mother's like many people degrade Christ's mother.. Why are people so against it? Where does it say not to ask for her help? After all, if the ground that Christ walked on is Holy ground, how much more is the womb that bore Him? Moving on. We Orthodox do not believe in salvation by works. "And again O Savior, save me by thy grace, I pray thee. For if Thou shouldst save me for my works, this would not be grace or a gift, but rather a duty; yea Thou who art great in compassion and ineffable in mercy... Let faith instead of works be imputed to me, O my God, for Thou wilt find no works which could justify me..." Excerpt from Prayer VIII of the midnight office from the Orthodox Horologion. For the Scriptures say that salvation is not of works least any man should boast (Eph 2:8-9). However, we are created for good works (Eph 2:10) and we will be rewarded according to what we do while in the flesh (2 Cor 5:10). So they don't save us alone, but they are part of our salvation process are we are rewarded accordingly and our world will be tried and if they fail, we will suffer loss but can still be saved (1 Cor 3:9-15).After all we are not saved by faith alone and faith without works is dead and profits little. (James 2:14-24). Now if we want God to hear us, we must do His will, which is the good work he created us for. (John 9:31). He commands us to do good all throughout the Scriptures and says that if we truly love Him we will keep these commandments (John 14:20-21). So good works alone can't save us and neither can faith alone. They must work together. Moving onto the Bible and church authority, nowhere do the Holy Scriptures claim to be the sole authority. The Bible itself is not Sola Scriptura. On the contrary, in 2 Thess 2:15, Paul says to follow all his teachings by his epistle (writings) and in word (verbal teaching, AKA Holy Tradition). We hold that the teachings of Scripture and prophecy is not open to private interpretation (2 Peter 20-21) but only by those who are holy and guided by the Holy Spirit.. Who is not the author of confusion (1 Cor 14:33) so there must be a correct understanding because not everyone can be correct. This is given to us though the consistent teaching of the church through the holy fathers and saints from the earliest days and passed on though the Apostolic succession of clergy as the faith once and for all delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3). After all we had to pass on the teachings though the Church by Holy Tradition for centuries before we had a canonized scripture set forth by the ecumenical councils. The Church gave us the scriptures, not the other way around. Since the Bible wasn't canonized until 397 AD, people couldn't just see what the Bible said for nearly 400 years! They relied on the Holy Spirit to guide them though Holy Tradition and church authority. Now if they failed to pass on the Church teachings properly, then that means the apostles failed to pass on Christ teachings to faithful men (2 Timothy 2:2) as they were supposed to and ultimately means that Christ failed to pass it on to them effectively. But we know the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church (Matt 17:18) so the true Church can not have been lost. If anyone, even an angel preaches anything other than what was taught, he is accursed (Gal. 1:8). Now obviously individual persons and clergy can go wrong but that why we have the consistent teachings of the past 2000 years to keep people in like mind with the Apostles. So as much as they teach the consistent truth in line with the Apostolic teachings, we obey Paul's command to obey our clergy (Heb 13:17). I hope this answers your questions. Blessings to you.

[@IC_XC_NIKA]

I appreciate your honesty Austin!! My conversion to Orthodoxy has been life changing.☦️

[@Dogheadedchris]

As a traditional, cradle Catholic, I have so much understanding of the Orthodox appeal from an outsider perspective. I don't think I'd ever make the jump because I think a revitalized Catholic tradition (small t) is what I truly crave. I see this desire in so many other young Catholics. I pray for renewal.

[@Apriluser]

Amen! (Anglican here. Always praying for renewal. 😊)

[@Enne_esse]

Orthodoxy never had a commitment to Peter, not in a papal way. There was no pope in the first 1000 years of Catholic church history. The rcc changed the dogma to form a papacy which they had no authority to do and then changed the filioque. This caused the split, because the RCC had no authority to change anything as the traditions are not man-made, they are from God. The more you learn about early church history, the more truth you will gain.@harleymann2086

[@MoriorInvictus1453]

As an Orthodox convert, this makes me so happy to hear. And you're definitely right that Orthodoxy feels more organic, whereas Roman Catholicism feels more rigid and authoritarian - courtesy of the legalistic mindset of western christianity. With that said, I would caution you from internet experts. Some can, unfortunately, be outright nasty - and that includes people from my own faith. The best thing you can do is to go to church and let the holy spirit guide you. God bless you on your jouney, brother!

[@richardbenitez1282]

Thanks for support and warning on internet orthodoxy. As a catholic I enjoy these really severe orthodox priests. They’re tough. I laughed like crazy on you tube. An orthodox priest was beating up a Moscow motorcycle guy. They got into collision. Moscow group made statement to press that they disagreed with Moscow priest’s counseling methods. Ha! Love it!

[@mythologicalmyth]

🥳 congrats

[@philmattox8500]

Samer, I am an Eastern Orthodox convert also. In early youth I was Southern Baptist, in college I became a Roman Catholic, in my late thirties converted to Eastern Orthodoxy (Orthodox Church in America jurisdiction) after a long period of discernment. I truly believe that I hear God more clearly in Orthodoxy.

[@RGWerd83]

Respect brother. However, as a RC convert, I don’t feel as if it’s authoritarian or lacks any organic element. I think non Catholics give the Papacy too much credit. He’s infallible, but only on Church teaching and morality as a sign and move towards unity… I researched a little about EO before moving towards Rome, but I have an honest question. If two Eastern Patriarchs disagree, what is taught? Or is there more autonomy than I think? Blessings!

[@mythologicalmyth]

@@RGWerd83 if I may interject on that’s, autonomy…and they excommune each other on occasion. Should be time for a council.

[@reef6826]

I went from Athiest, to New Age to Buddhist, to Christian so for me the philosophy and spirituality of Orthodoxy feels most right in my heart. But who knows where my Christian Journey will end. I have not even been baptized yet, all we can do is Pray and study, and ask god for his mercy.

[@laliyo2822]

Yes, May Holy Spirit leads you to Jesus’s church

[@Ricky-es9vg]

As a former Seventh day Adventist who is currently converting to Orthodoxy, I understand you.

[@ActuallyActua1]

Former SDA, converting to East Orthodoxy as well. It’s been a hard journey but so worth it!

[@Ricky-es9vg]

@@ActuallyActua1 God bless you Ben, I wish you many years and comfort through your journey.

[@Apriluser]

Wow! Now that’s quite a leap. Good for you! (Evangelical converted to Anglican here).

[@jcgurl3773]

Oh my gosh! I grew up SDA, became a Catholic 14 years ago and now considering Orthodoxy.

[@Ricky-es9vg]

@@jcgurl3773 Very cool to find another like me. God bless you on your journey!

[@jhust69]

Wow, I appreciate the honesty. Your channel has been the biggest culprit for me myself personally heading the direction of Eastern Orthodoxy. When you interviewed Fr Josiah Trenham it blew the doors open to a whole new world of Christianity that I didn’t even know existed. Much like you I haven’t fully committed to it yet but I’m reading more, praying more and seeking more. It’s not easy, raised Penecostal, and then working my way to a “non denominational” church and eventually landing in a Baptist setting, I always felt there was some serious stuff lacking. Deep stuff that no “denomination” could seem to solve … it got to the point when I read my Bible and I looked at the “modern church’s” or heterodox churchs … there was a huge disconnect. Church and worship felt more like a rock band and a really funny comedian who can make people laugh. It felt so worldly … so inauthentic and generic with 30,000 different flavors … don’t like this doctrine? Well there’s 29,999 others to choose from … eventually you’ll land somewhere that will fill your presuppositional ideas… I have a huge problem with this. All of them right and yet all wrong … and lastly, I found sola Scriptura weak on substance and that was pretty easy to disassemble. Once you do that, the rest of Protestantism begins to easily melt away. Anyways. Love you and your show. Thank you have may you ever be blessed by God, and savior Jesus Christ.

[@theharshtruthoutthere]

Being a Christian (the follower of Christ): - calls upon the name of THE LORD: Psalms 145:18 , Psalms 55:16 , Isaiah 55:6 - coming to repentance, Luke 5:32 - going through new birth (baptized by the SPIRIT and by the water), 1 Corinthians 12:13 , John 3:7 - coming out from Babylon (the city life), Revelation 18:4, Mark 8:36 , Matthew 16:26 , Luke 9:25 , Ecclesiastes 1:3 - flees from fornication: 1 Corinthians 6:18 , 1 Thessalonians 4:3 - analysing their own life and life in general, 2 Corinthians 13:5 - have their Inner mans eyes and ears open: Mark 8:18 , 2 Chronicles 7:15 , Matthew 13:16 - Judges - judges - judges, themselves and life in general in: John 7:24 - seeks out 1st the KINGDOM OF GOD: Matthew 6:33 - have no worries nor thoughts about what they shall eat or wear: Matthew 6:31 , Luke 12:22 , Matthew 6:25 , Luke 12:29 - is not a friend with the world, but exposes the wicked: Ephesians 5:11 , Psalms 26:5 , James 4:4 - goes through the persecution: Luke 6:22 , Matthew 5:44 ,John 15:18 , 1 John 3:13 - has outworldly peace: John 14:27 - fears not any man, but has the sobering fear of GOD in him: Matthew 10:28 , 1 John 4:18 - rightly dividing the word of truth: 2 Timothy 2:15 - is both, the believer of the word and the doer of it also: James 1:23 , Matthew 7:21 - have no idols not graven images: Isaiah 42:17 , Micah 5:13 , Isaiah 42:8 , Deuteronomy 7:5 , Habakkuk 2:18, Hosea 13:2 Psalms 78:58 - worship GOD in SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH: John 4:24 - are peacemakers: Matthew 5:9, Hebrews 12:14 , Romans 12:18 - are sober minded: 1 Peter 1:13 , Titus 2:6 , Titus 2:2 , 1 Peter 4:7 , 1 Peter 5:8 - GOES AND SINS NO MORE: John 8:11 The truthful lyrics of the gaga song: born this way: There is a problem about who we are, we live with sinful nature. We all are called to REPENTANCE, to change our minds and our hearts. We all are called back HOME, but PRIDE keeps us far. So lets humble ourselves before GOD/CHRIST and lets answer to the calling. We have sinned and felled short in the glory of GOD and without repenting we are at the wrong path. How can we ask for love if there is none in us, we abuse ourselves and others daily. How can we say we're good if only do is sin, we telling lies, stealing lives, and destroying the light. Yea we were born a sinners, lifelong sinful nature, but now we all are called to have new birth. Don't stay a sinner, become a new creature in Christ who promise to give you a warm heart. Yea we were born sinners, but in Christ can we be brand new, without a sin of any kind. Be you black or white, small or great, GOD through Christ calls all home. Are we gonna answer or is our hearts grown cold? Our eyes and ears have we closed? Are we all lost cases or is there still a chance that some of us shall be saved? If we could change our lives, would we took the chance? Or are we quick to say: “no, thanks, im good”? What's in the hell so good, that we want to go there? Is regretting and burning the greatest way? What have I profit in here, as I gain the world? Is this world worth to lose my soul?

[@ironyusa3885]

You compliment Austin for his honesty while demonstrating your own humility.

[@aclark903]

That 30,000 meme is more an atheistic talking point than a realistic option for most Christians. There are rarely more than 2 dozen denominations locally unless you live in a pretty big city.

[@mythologicalmyth]

Congrats. Fr JT is our Confessor.

[@xxFairestxx]

@@aclark903 in name yes. But in belief it’s 40k+

[@rscotthudson1959]

"It pulls on my heart a bit more than on my head." That is a very good summary of the appeal of orthodoxy. I think it's also why the orthodox church doesn't have as many "neatly wrapped" answers to theological questions, but is more likely to answer "It's a mystery."

[@patricklennon5195]

This was a huge appeal for me. A lot is left as a mystery but the things that are explained feel very clear to me. Overall, the Orthodox paradigm of looking at scripture, tradition, and ecclesiology seemed the most consistent to me.

[@soulcutterx13]

There's the third road of the uniate Churches. Glory to God in the highest!

[@stevenharder308]

“Am I married?” “It’s a mystery.” “Is my baptism valid?” “It’s a mystery.” “Is contraception sinful?” “It’s a mystery.” “What does ‘first among equals’ mean?” “It’s a mystery.”

[@patricklennon5195]

@@stevenharder308 With all due respect, this is a mischaracterization. I’ve been able to find answers to these questions.

[@stevenharder308]

@@patricklennon5195 its a caricature, sure, and we can agree that no one needs to become Catholic if they’re only looking for “answers”. But it remains that the highest authorities in Orthodoxy tend to offer contradictory answers to these questions, and are cut off from the only means by which any such matters were ever settled.

[@ButterBobBriggs]

Austin, videos like this is why I love your channel. You are honest. I chose Orthodoxy myself, but the downside, at least here in the USA, is unless you live in a metropolitan area, participating in all the services is almost impossible because of drive time and traveling expense. It's also a bigger downside than a non-Orthodox can understand coming from Protestantism, because especially during Lent, the services are BEYOND important, beautiful and uber formative for your faith. If you really want to see this, look up the schedule during Holy Week and if you've ever attended these services, you'll know none of them should be missed. The services are not separate, but form a totality of preparation to ready you to join the Marriage Supper of the Lamb with the Saints and Angels.

[@frankherbert6476]

Yea, very valid. Read "Apostle to the Plains" about Fr Nicola, who was one of the first priests ordained by St Raphael of Brooklyn. These poor folks in the midwest went years without even seeing a priest for Eucharist, baptism weddings etc during the late 19th and early 20th century. Of course, as soon as Fr Nicola left town to travel and make his rounds to other churches, his home parish would start fighting within! Doh!

[@lindalarson6228]

I have wrestled with this very questions more than once in my life. I have chosen to stay Catholic. Sometimes the Lord plants us in a certain location, and we have to accept His mysterious ways. I value physically being able to go to church daily and receive the Eucharist daily; if I were Orthodox, I would have to drive a distance and the Eucharist only happens once a week. I love to sit by the Tabernacle daily; this would not be permitted to me as an Orthodox woman. What I am saying is, sometimes the decision is not what we want but where the Lord has put us. I have other reasons, but I have thought about it a lot in light of the church fathers.

[@sfappetrupavelandrei]

I'm sure that you didn't mean this but it sounds like you say that you chose Catholicism because it is more comfortable. I don't think that Christ would agree with that way of seeing things. Especially because Eastern Orthodoxy or Catholicism is not another form of Protestantism. The Truth is only in one Church and this has its consequences both in this life and the next one. This doesn't mean that everyone who are not of a particular faith will go to Hell. But also I don't believe that Christ will be indifferent to someone being part of the Church which holds the entire grace of the Holy Spirit or not. I know that from Protestantism there is this idea that all these Christian denominations contain parts of the Truth. As an Eastern Orthodox I believe that this is false. I believe that the Truth is in the Eastern Orthodox Church. And I think that Catholics believe the same way about their own Church. At least those who are more Traditionalists. And I can respect that. And I find that this should be the main reason why someone would choose to be part of a certain Church.

[@angelvalentinmojica6967]

​@@sfappetrupavelandrei what I took from her reply, intellectually speaking she hasnt figure out where to be so she used other criteria to determime where to be.

[@christinah777]

I know what you mean. God places us where we need to be in order to find Him. I’ve attended Catholic Church since youth, stopped attending in my young adult years, then God drove me back and I attended weekly. It’s the only church I know, no Orthodox churches in my area. I said, it’s not so much the denomination, as it is finding Christ in the context of that denomination. At the end of the day, it’s Christ we seek, not a denomination. I see Christ present when I attend mass, in the Eucharist, at Adoration, in the Communion of Saints, Through the eyes of Mary. That’s all I need, to know He’s there.

[@ΟριζόντιοςΚατακόρυφος]

My grandfather was living in a very small village in Chalkidiki (Greece) before the 2nd world war. No cars, no roads. Every Sunday he woke up at 4:00 in the morning, 3hours walking through the forest to the nearest church and after divine liturgy 3hours walking returning home. Snows in the winter, rain, hot sunshine in the summer. He never thought about "God places me here because He didn't want me to go to the church ".. God bless you.

[@countryboyred]

By that logic, does God plant us in the Middle East and intend for us to be Muslims? I means if it’s all about location right?

[@themartialartsmermaid]

I started watching your channel about nine months ago because I was struggling with some questions I just couldn't answer. Things that were lacking. I have been so blessed by the content and the willingness to question beyond comfort I've found here. It's freed me up to examine my own theology and ask God to show me the holes in it and lead me where He wants me to go. And can I just say (with the exception of the weird, random arguments that break out) the LOVE and UNITY I've seen in the comments and the genuine longing for our brothers and sisters across the lines gives me hope that we can be one like Jesus prayed in John 17 so the world might see and believe. Thank you for your vulnerability. For taking those of us who never would have even known where to go on "field trips" to meet our brothers and sisters across the lines. I love this channel. 🧡

[@dr.j5642]

Amen, may we be one body, so that the whole world may know that we are His disciples.

[@ZZZELCH]

Our separate paths to Christ is truly incredible. I thoroughly enjoy hearing the different stories and perspectives. Thank you for sharing yours. -An Orthodox brother in Christ.

[@AbdulRahman-bi1nu]

Ecumenist heretic

[@nanettebelanger465]

Also a former protestant, mother of almost four, my husband and I converted to Orthodoxy almost 2 years ago. We have been so blessed and humbled in whole. Watching our kids grow in the ancient faith has been especially priceless. The older ones take it very seriously compared to our old church and have such reverence for the liturgy. They love our priest. Our kids were all baptized as we were welcomed in the church. It changed the way we perceived them as christians, as we are all under the new covenant together, all apart of the body of Christ. Not just when they can understand. Glory to God Forever. Best Family Church!

[@t.d6379]

Left one protest to join another, very sad.

[@mauricebroekarts2159]

I am becoming Catholic this Easter.

[@simplykaley4540]

Don’t play with my Orthodox heart 😝 I’ve been waiting for you to say you are becoming Orthodox! Lol

[@fernandoxavier5688]

Let us pray for him!

[@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr]

Is the fulfillment which church service to attend or is the fulfillment love?

[@briandelaney9710]

I became an Orthodox Christian 20 years ago this yr. My heritage is the Latin Catholic Church with experience of the good Greek Catholic people. I’m very thankful to God that I knew all of these expressions

[@mythologicalmyth]

Same.

[@t.d6379]

You left the real deal for the real (first) Protestants.

[@alexiosgrillis]

God bless, you Austin. We will pray for you as you continue to discern!

[@balipsette]

I’m in RCIA right now partly due to this channel, and I’m sure that the RCC is the “correct” church. But this was a beautiful video and I definitely resonate very much with your thoughts on Orthodoxy.

[@robbratcher4675]

Former Protestant here, now Orthodox. My entire life has changed in ways i cannot explain. Orthodoxy is home.

[@fernandoxavier5688]

"Do not be afraid because of your Orthodoxy; do not be afraid because, as an Orthodox in the West, you will be often isolated and always in a small minority. Do not make compromises..." - St Amphilochios (Makris) of Patmos

[@skydancer1867]

I had largely the same reasons I was weighing when deciding upon a church. I entered the Catholic Church in an Eastern Rite wanting the best of both worlds. As time goes on, I become more entrenched in Catholicism, and I've come to prefer western liturgies, as that is more in line with my heritage.

[@brothergerasimos-bd3pq]

The major problem with that is that there aren't hardly any eastern rite catholic churches.

[@culpepper7665]

Christianity as a whole isn't in line with 99.999999% of any of our heritage. I don't get the heritage thing. If that was a factor I would be a Norse Pagan.

[@skydancer1867]

@@culpepper7665 Read my post again, and you'll see heritage was only a consideration for choosing a liturgical rite within the religion of Catholicism. I agree its a nonsensical reason to choose a religion.

[@daniel11ist]

You have helped me to find my home and convert to orthodoxy. God bless and I hope God leads you to all truth.

[@realtourdreams9655]

Just remember that the schism away from the leadership of Rome and Christian unity is the long-term reason for Constantinople’s fall. It’s the reason why Hagia Sofia is currently a mosque.

[@finrodfelagund8668]

@@realtourdreams9655 The reason Constantinople fell is the unia with the catholic "church" (council of Florence held several years before the tragedy), not because catholics split from the Church.

[@J..P..]

​@@realtourdreams9655 Constantinople was in union with Rome when she was conquered - do you not know this? If you are going to try to read God's judgement into history, then you would be forced to acknowledge that the city fell only AFTER her emperors capitulated on the ancient faith, in exchange for military aid.

[@realtourdreams9655]

@@finrodfelagund8668 no, if fell because Constantinople was schismatic and bitter which led to Christian disunity and the eventual fall of Constantinople. Things were never quite ideal between east and west, but the massacre of Latins would likely not have occurred as tensions following the encounters of crusades had calmed. The subsequent retaliation sack and weakening of Constantinople at the hands of renegade Franks (directly against the wishes of the Pope) would not have occurred. A weakened schismatic state rife with caesaropapism since 330 and a power trip that puts what we know as Vatican Papal States to shame led to its fall. It’s a power trip, because it’s against the chair of a Peter and not rightly ordered. They would not submit to Peter’s clear successor, but just as the Anglicans, chose earthly kings. The Vicar of Rome, stayed in Rome and even had to ally himself with Germanics as a result of standing opposed to the obtuse emperors. He was in the end able to order a synod of the entire church and save iconography and likely many monuments to Christianity that are now covered with Arabic calligraphy.

[@OrthodoxMidwife]

I have been Orthodox for over a year at this point, and as a new convert I have seen the fullness of what God created us to experience: life in community, relying on each other and growing together. It’s such a beautiful thing ❤️

[@Proclivitytolife]

I'm Roman Catholic, cradle, but not particularly well catechized and left the faith in my teens, was basically a non-religious Theist of some sort (equivalent of believing there was some kind of God and trying to follow my conscience, inconsistently), got into the New Age and Theosophy, and eventually got drawn back into Christianity through Protestantism (unfortunately picking up many prejudices against the liturgical/apostolic churches, especially the Catholic Church - Jack Chick styles haha). I spent 9 years as a kind of "lone wolf" non denominational Christian, flirting with various denominations here and there, and never particularly interested or even aware of the importance of ecclesiology. I eventually realized there was a problem and that Christianity wasn't supposed to be what I had made of it, and that I had spent years studying the scripture and listening to all sorts of teachers, changing my doctrine several times on various matters and ultimately that I was my own personal theologian. It was exhausting. Tying to figure it all out and thinking I was certain I believed correctly on some matter, that the Holy Spirit was guiding me to "all truth" and then coming later to conclude that I was wrong and that I now had discovered the correct doctrine and that this time it had to be the Holy Spirit guiding me, just to find myself later on doubting myself. I needed some kind of real authority which can guarantee the truth. It just no longer made sense to me that I had to be expected to figure it all out myself. Sure, there were plenty of brilliant teachers, but still, at the end of the line, I was the one to decide which of them I thought made sense and were correct and so on. I prayed that God help me find his Church, and I remember specifying that I'd keep on doing my homework to find his Church, but for him to guide me, and that I'd be as open and unbiased as I could be ...eeeeeven if that meant returning to the Catholic Church. I prayed this, thinking that it was extremely unlikely because after all, the Catholic Church was obviously not Christ's Church, right? I started engaging Eastern Orthodox apologetics and found them very very compelling, dispelling most of thr objections i had to liturgical apostolic Christianity. I couldn't avoid noticing however that on most topics, the very convincing Orthodox apologetics vis-a-vis Protestantism were, for the most part, equally applicable to Catholicism. So this softened me up tremendously towards the Catholic Church. Nevertheless, I was still greatly attracted to everything Eastern, especially their spiritual theology and was seriously considering converting. I attended Divine Liturgy and discussed with Orthodox priests and so forth. But before taking that final step, given that most of my objections to the Catholic Church had been defeated by the Orthodox apologetics (thanks EOs!), and that this was technically my heritage as a French-Canadian, I figured I should give one more investigative look into the Catholic claims, especially those of the papacy, since at the time it was the main obstacle for me on that side. (Also, much more prayer) Anyhow, I ended up convinced of the papal claims, given that as much as I loved (and still love) the Eastern Orthodox Churches, I wasn't 100% convinced that they were quite as united as they insisted they were, but also, that I would entirely escape the ordeal of having to be my own authority. Surely, i did not perceive that the burden of being my own authority would have been anywhere near as heavy as when I had literally no authority over me except the bible (I.e. my own interpretation of the bible), but still, there were some questions and answers which weren't quite clear for me. For example, Remarriage? Contraception? How exactly can an ecumenical council occur? (Brother EOs, I'm aware you provide answers to these, but you don't all give the same answers and I've not been shown any final authority which can provide me such answers. I don't quite escape having to make some calls on my own as to which authorities to believe.) So despite the definite authority that does exist amongst the EOs, the lack of a unified voice on some matters made it seem as thought the search for a final, living authority, which doesn't rely on my interpretations of Fathers, or councils, or what one Bishop says vs another, was still out of reach.) So the papacy, made more sense to me, along with all the other papal apologetics. And Austin, you have mentioned this appeal of being able to "get straight answers". But there was also something else, and this is the part I wanted to suggest to you, despite my long message. While I was a "lone wolf", i got into "Messianic Judaism", and even flirted with Judaism itself, learned a good deal of Hebrew, and found a significant appeal in the semitic/Old Testamenty angle. And one of the things that became very important to me was the idea of continuity. And the Orthodox boast of continuity, and I have no doubt that it is largely truly the case, however the Catholic Church made that same claim and it seemed to me that in one way (which was very important to me), the Catholic Church had a stronger claim to continuity. Namely, the continuity notnonly of the early Church with today's Church, but continuity between "Old Testament Israel" and "New Testament Israel". Notwithstanding how much Jew may despise us for believing this, the Church is the true Israel of God. Rabbinic Judaism maintains some sense of continuity of course, but the Church is truly the continuity and fulfillment of the Faith of Israel. And so, seeing that just as God chose 12 tribes out of all the nations, to make His people, God then narrows it down again to 12 men, a small remnant, from which to make His "people of the New Covenant", by means of which the ingathering of the nations into God's Israel would be brought about. And so I saw the Church as a true Kingdom, and a Kingdom must have a King. Of course I know the Orthodox will say that Christ is their King, and that He is indeed. However, Christ is not here present in this temporal world, and so the notion of a sort of Vicar of the King, a sort of Royal Steward, holding down the fort while awaiting the Return of the King, seemed much more fitting than the EO model. The Catholic Church seemed much more like a "nation" to me than the much more loosely organized EOs. The continuation of the Kingdom of Israel seemed to me more clearly seen in the Catholic Church than the EO. I don't want to make a direct comparison between the EO and the 10 northern tribes of Israel, a direct comparison wouldn't be fair. But I couldn't help but to perceive some kind of similitude in the two situations. (Again, not all all suggesting a similarity in terms of idolatry etc.) Anyhow, apologies for the long comment. No need to reply, but I thought you should maybe consider that angle, if you hadnt already, before making a final commitment. Having said all that, I engage in apologetics with non Christians (mostly Muslims), and evangelizing the non-religious, and I must admit, with the way things have been going in the Catholic Church, I sometimes feel a bit uncomfortable when i get to the point where someone is either willing to start going to mass to chrck it out, or considering converting. ....I have to hold myself back from saying "ah, you are considering going to mass?! You are considering becoming a Christian?! Great, I am overjoyed....buuut, maybe consider heading to your neared EO parish", hahaha. Kind of difficult, after doing all that evangelizing, to invite someone to your house which just happens to be on fire 🔥 . It's all according to the prophecies though, so it is no surprise. But it's tough. No kidding. Anyhow, God bless you, whichever decision you make.

[@MrClarkyclark]

As a devout and practicing cradle EO who also prays the Rosary daily, wears a miraculous medal, and has a bunch of favorite Catholic saints I pray to, I appreciate and fully respect your reasonings. Obviously you’ve done your homework as you say and gave one of the best rationalizations I’ve ever heard. I feel both are two parts of one lung. One needs the other to take in the full breath of our glorious faith. God bless you my brother in Christ.

[@Proclivitytolife]

@@MrClarkyclark I totally agree 👍, and thanks for your kind comment. God bless you as well, and may the Lord have mercy on us both ✝️🙏☦️

[@annalynn9325]

I had a very similar process and framing as you with the exception I was raised occult not RC. But had exposure to Catholicism and was drawn to it. But I converted to Orthodox after all after prayer and fasting 😅 But I get it... Catholicism seeks the seamless garment whereas Orthodox is comfortable with paradoxes

[@isoldam]

EO's have more problems than Catholics do.

[@countryboyred]

I’m glad you are satisfied where you are, but it’s laughable to act like the Catholic Church today is anything like the early church. The Catholic Church of today isn’t even the same one of the 1950s (pre Vatican 2) let alone the one of the first millennium. Anyways God bless.

[@harpgal9950]

I love how you have explained your thinking about the two paths. I was there 20 years ago and checked into both. Orthodoxy won me over with it's warmth, beauty, scriptural interpretation and allowance for mystery. Since I, too, am coming from a protestant background, there will always be a few issues that I find troubling, but the good outweighs the bad, IMO. I moved to another area last year and there are three EO churches about 1/2 hr. from me: OCA, Antiochian and Ukrainian. I resisted going for a year and went to a protestant church until the draw back was overwhelming. The one I would have least expected to like was the Ukrainian. However, I find it to be the most comforting and beautiful liturgy and I find I truly need it to feed my soul. I hope you can work through all your concerns cause you would make a great priest. But I totally understand the hesitancy. When you have thought about certain things in a certain way all your life, it's challenging to jump to light speed. But I can say, that if I was young and looking forward to starting a family, the EO would be my choice. I regret I did not know about it when my kids were little. God bless and guide you in His path.

[@ajmeier8114]

Whose scriptural interpretation?

[@harpgal9950]

@@ajmeier8114 Classic Orthodox scriptural interpretation by the early fathers of the faith and the councils.

[@ajmeier8114]

@@harpgal9950 And what if 2 early fathers disagreed about an interpretation? What about how scriptural interpretations need to be made in light of modern times?

[@harpgal9950]

@@ajmeier8114 Councils would allow bishops to come to a consensus. As for modern times, Hebrews 13:8 addresses that. 'Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever.'

[@ajmeier8114]

@@harpgal9950 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. But society is not the same. We can't just ignore theological and morality questions of today that prior councils had no idea to address. There has to be an interpretation of scripture in light of society. I am not saying that we reinterpret scripture or that it somehow changes or that teachings should change. But how we navigate and apply teachings to be effective changes.

[@frankherbert6476]

I think you've made good points in the first half of this; while your western/American nice compartmentalized approach coupled with the intellectual view-a philosophical approach of ideas building on ideas-fits neatly into the Roman Catholic as not only an organization, but in theology/dogmatics, you nailed it with Orthodoxy. Our theology is in our worship. Things are a little messy. No pure, straight answers. It is, as you said, participation that is outside the world. When I first explored Orthodoxy, I had been disappointed in my non-denominational surface level theology, beliefs, interpretations, etc, and carried that into the Orthodox faith, really trying to make it for me a highly refined Protestantism. It's taken a long time to unwind that. I was told it would take 10 years to become Orthodox. I think now, that was a conservative estimate!

[@senordiaz1]

My family and i will be Christmated soon. Your videos definitely were a part of that process. Orthodoxy has been one of the biggest blessings in my life.. no turning back. Thank you Mr. Austin for your work.

[@conor9181]

I love what the Orthodox say regarding salvation outside of the church: “We know where the Holy Spirit is, but we don’t know where it isn’t”

[@WishingForRain]

The Orthodox Churches dogmatic theology does not say that at all. The Church teaches we know exactly where the Holy Spirit is in the mysteries and we know exactly where the ecclesiastical boundaries of the Church are without question. The Church teaches there is no salvation outside of the Church. This saying “We know where the Holy Spirit is, but we don’t know where it isn’t” is not an Orthodox saying and is only used by those Ecumenist to be all inclusive to the other heretical confessions. Saint Paul to the Galatians is clear about this when he says: "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."

[@majorian4897]

@@WishingForRain To my understanding of Orthodoxy we do not make claims as to who is saved and who isn't. The truth is found in THE church I 100% agree but how the Holy Spirit decides to dispense grace outside the Church doesn't seem like our place to judge imo.

[@yahanan5766]

We know where salvation is. The Church. We know where it isn't. Outside the church. May God help you

[@yahanan5766]

@Harley Mann the Orthodox church is the Catholic church. Latin schismatics are irrelevant and if you reject The Orthodox Catholic Church for any reason you are not going to heaven

[@NavelOrangeGazer]

This is a modernist ecumenist false talking point.

[@joolz5747]

Hi there! I am 75 and a grandma. I have been Catholic since birth. I love the depths of my faith. I really don’t need all the outer trappings anymore. Yes they are beautiful and about 15-20 years ago I went to the eastern orthodox churches occasionally to enjoy them a little bit and they were great. I never left my Catholic masses at all, but I added some extra other things too. I love icons…I think those churches with them are amazing!!! They are more beautiful churches in my mind, to be perfectly honest with you. Plus, they do take me back to the middle ages and I feel like I’m back there in the original holy saintly place. So if I was you in your situation, I would’ve said the very same thing. I don’t like the power and control some of these Catholic hierarchy people have. Jesus is who I follow not the people. So I would agree with you and I always will keep following Jesus anyway! Thank you.

[@3inrifle]

Well said and thank you for your insight. You mentioned that Catholicism seemed more familiar to you, something like that. That is because every Protestant sect , no matter how far removed, has its origin in the RCC. The order , the boxes as you put it, are rooted in the structure of Catholicism. I was raised RC, left in my teens, went through an Episcopal phase, dabbled with the neopagan delusion in my 20s, tried to go back in my early 30s. It had changed so much in those 15 or so years that I didn't recognize it. Heard a little segment on a local early morning radio program for a food fair at an Orthodox parish. We went to it, went to Vespers, and found our home. When we attended the Liturgy the second day I found it very familiar. It was sort of like the RC Latin High Mass, of which I had vague memories.

[@3inrifle]

@Harley Mann - thank you for your response. I think we are saying almost the same thing but in slightly different ways.

[@mythologicalmyth]

True

[@Tai182]

I'm a Protestant that has been growing more closer towards Orthodoxy. I find it holding answers that Protestantism is lacking for our modern world.

[@mement0_m0ri]

I had a lot of the same concerns about Orthodoxy "not my culture, no magisterium or definite answers about things, etc." But now that I am fully in the Orthodox Church and partaking in the eucharist, and reading the Church Fathers and the lives of the saints, I understand how my concerns were mostly unfounded. That isn't to say the Eastern Orthodox church is without it's issues and scandals, but rather that I realized no church is without those obstacles, and the thing that matters most is the sacraments and the fullness of the faith and experience of Christ. God bless you, Austin. I'm so thankful you've been making these videos about your journey in Christ Jesus.

[@TheUncreatedLight]

May Christ bless and keep you on this journey my friend, praying for you

[@portishooda]

Hello brother. Greek orthodox here. First let me get something out of the way. In orthodox churches there are chairs and we do sit during the liturgy :P but we also spend too alot of the time standing and kneeling. After all the whole ceremony lasts for 3-4 hours. A couple suggestions for future experiences: - Participate in an orthodox church and a catholic church for a full Holy week/Megali evdomada (6 day ceremony in orthodoxy and if i'm not mistaken a 3 day ceremony in catholicism). - Visit orthodox and catholic monasteries and witness the most "hardcore"' way of the faith. God bless!

[@jhust69]

Not all Parishes have chairs or pews. In some cases they set out chairs around the perimeter or off to the side for the elderly or sick or whatever. But definitely not like in a Protestant church.

[@goofygrandlouis6296]

Also, let's address the "ethnic" side of the matter. 😉 As implied, catholic is short for "universal", ie your DNA does not matter. However, most Orthodox church *es* (not one, many) are built around a given *community* . So how does our friend here, a western American boy, fits in all of this ?

[@ericlammerman2777]

The Slavic tradition is that you stand for almost all the liturgy, if you are able. At my OCA parish, we only sit during the homily (although it is permissible to sit at other times).

[@ericlammerman2777]

@@goofygrandlouis6296 Austin likely has Western European roots. Most of Western Europe was Roman Catholic, at one point. That's what he seems to be thinking.

[@goofygrandlouis6296]

@@ericlammerman2777 Yes. So how does he fit in, let's say, a Greek community ? Will he be the only Anglo guy ?

[@NatureMichael]

“Never, never, never let anyone tell you that, in order to be Orthodox, you must be Eastern. The west was fully Orthodox for a thousand years, and her venerable liturgy is far older than any of her heresies.” St John the Wonderworker

[@fernandoxavier5688]

Is this Saint John (Maximovitch)?

[@NatureMichael]

@@fernandoxavier5688 yes

[@fernandoxavier5688]

@@NatureMichael Thank you.

[@cassidyanderson3722]

A week or so ago, a friend of mine and I were talking about Gospel Simplicity and how much we both love you and the content you produce. I ended the conversation by saying that I wouldn’t be surprised if you converted to Orthodoxy. I’m not saying you will, or that you necessarily should, but I hope you do. There is so much waiting on you that you can’t experience from the outside looking in. Thank you for all you are doing.

[@theharshtruthoutthere]

All religions are for itchy ears. In Christianity, there is nothing for the itchy ears, therefore is Christianity a reality.

[@reviewreviewer1]

Thesupport of some for orthodoxy I have trouble understanding. They changed church doctrine, often under political influences, yet they deny this, will lie to defend it and strawman Catholic practices to deflect.

[@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr]

Like what?

[@ASouthernLadyinAppalachia]

@@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr Come and see…

[@cassidyanderson3722]

@@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr The comments section on a KZbin channel isn’t really conducive to precisely answering your question. I would summarize by saying that the full of the Christian faith is what’s waiting.

[@JoshAlicea1229]

Wow, I was not expecting that answer. Thanks for being so honest on this channel. I appreciate you, man.

[@larklearningtopray5772]

Oh my goodness, you have described basically exactly the emotions I've been going through as a Protestant theology student, trying to decide whether I should become Orthodox or Catholic. I've been going through the same thought process, of being more attracted to finding clear answers to considering what kind of church I seem to grow most spiritually in, which liturgy I'm drawn to, what kind of church I want my future kids to grow up in, etc.

[@JacquelineRPrice]

My husband and I have had the conversation that if there were only two churches we could choose from: Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox, which would we choose. We both agreed it would be Eastern Orthodox.

[@thomasfolio7931]

When I came into the Catholic Church, (and my ancestors were all Sephardi Jews from Greece, so no family however distant who were Catholic or Orthodox). What attracted me is that in the Catholic Church there are Churches that follow the Eastern Rites, and use the theological terms and spirituality of their comparable Eastern and Oriental Orthodox cousins, but are in communion with each other, and with the Roman See. For me even with many Roman Rite Catholics who are unaware of Eastern Catholics here in the USA, it was a big selling point.

[@robertotapia8086]

@Gospel Simplicity Austin this comment from @thomasfolio7931 is perfect.

[@om-qg7ju]

It does show the Catholic churches lack of a real coherent system

[@dimitriosvlissides5781]

These Uniate churches you are referring are the Troyan Horse of Papism entering intthe orthodox church Lot of these in Ukraine and other East European countries based upon the void Synod of Florencein1446

[@justanotherlikeyou]

​@@om-qg7ju Exactly. While being in communion with Rome these eastern Catholic churches hold as saints those that Rome holds to be heretics. St. Photios the Great, St. Mark of Ephesus, and St. Gregory Palamas. How is this reconciled? It's not. Communion with Rome is all that is necessary. Nothing else matters, apparently, not even if you hold some to be saints that Rome for centuries has considered to be heretics. Incoherent to say the least.

[@om-qg7ju]

@@justanotherlikeyou 100%

[@treewalker1070]

I've been increasingly drawn to Orthodoxy and your channel is one of the reasons for that. It just makes more intuitive sense.

[@jonmack2437]

As a Protestant converting to orthodoxy currently, one thing I do is pray that I am always willing to go towards truth. I know how easy it can be to wanna maintain what you already know and do.

[@feeble_stirrings]

At the fork in the road as an Evangelical, I went East. The Divine Liturgy, in my experience, is truly incomparable...sublime. It's all there - the gospel, the Holy Trinity, the Kingdom.

[@ajmeier8114]

It isn't all there though. If the reason for going east is the liturgy, you can get the liturgy in eastern Catholicism. The main deciding factor should be the Papacy. You either think it is legit or it isn't.

[@No-nj3oq]

​@@ajmeier8114 You're missing the point. Yes, you can find the Liturgy in Eastern Catholicism - but if you're Orthodox, and go to an eastern Catholic Church, you'll find the Divine Liturgy intact, but the greatest ingredient gone: grace. The reason Orthodox people recommend the Liturgy so much is because there is supposedly an experience of grace there you won't find even in an identical Liturgy in an eastern Catholic Church. There is no Orthodoxy on paper. I won't comment on whether their opinion is correct, but that's the logic they go with: I think you missed the commenter's point a little.

[@ajmeier8114]

@@No-nj3oq So Orthodox believe there is no grace in a non Orthodox liturgy?

[@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr]

@@No-nj3oq Is our Christian walk about extracting grace from God? What we can get out of it?

[@frankherbert6476]

@@ajmeier8114 As an Orthodox, whenever I enter into a conversation with a Roman Catholic and want to discuss differences in theology, doctrine etc, all the conversation gets steered toward is the Papacy. Well-meaning, humble people see this as, in my view, an easy out to rationalize behaviors/doctrinal shifts etc. "You gotta have the Pope!" seems to uncomfortably parallel a low-church non-denom fundamentalist view of Sola Scriptura in the face of any difference in Dogma.

[@vanessa.jasmine]

I was a lapsed Catholic for many years and eastern theology is one of the things that brought me back. I toyed with the idea of crossing the Mediterranean to Constantinople, but since Catholic encompasses eastern rites and I agree with the papal office I stayed. Only issue is the opportunity to attend Divine Liturgy is few and far between 🙁

[@b.r.holmes6365]

What's your feeling about the historical reality of Re relying on forgeries to support their claims for papal supremacy?

[@vanessa.jasmine]

@@b.r.holmes6365 that’s the first time I’ve ever heard of that. When I was discerning Orthodoxy it was the late ‘00’s. During that time Patriarch Bartholomew was trying to call a council. But since his authority is not like the Pope’s other Bishops refused to show because other bishops declined or worse agreed to be there. You could play the Benny Hill theme song when ever the Patriarch tries to organize a council. From that I recognized a purely administrative benefit to the papacy. A few years later I heard talks around the Jewish roots of the papacy like this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJKsc2CphKd3gc0 and was convinced a Davidic King (Jesus) would have a prime minister ( the chair of Peter).

[@b.r.holmes6365]

Would encourage you to research papal forgeries. Donation of Constantine for example. The ultimate problem in RC Church is that when one supreme bishop goes haywire, the entire communion is thrown into chaos. Look at Francis' devastating leadership. I'm Orthodoxy, that wayward bishop can be held accountable.

[@vanessa.jasmine]

@@b.r.holmes6365 like Patriarch Kirill 🙄

[@nuzzi6620]

@@vanessa.jasmine Yes, exactly like Patriarch Kirill. He can go and do whatever he wants in his diocese or jurisdiction at large, but it won’t practically effect anyone or anything outside of the Russian church. He could even be a heretic or something, and that wouldn’t matter in the grand scheme of things, because he has zero authority to enforce his will outside of his limited ecclesiastical jurisdiction. This a good thing. The Roman pontiff, on the other hand, doesn’t have a limited ecclesiastical jurisdiction, but has the ultimate authority over bishop, every priest, every deacon, every monastic, every layperson in the Roman Catholic Church. If he were also a deranged heretic, like our hypothetical example of Patriarch Kirill above, it would be, in contrast to Kirill’s case, a very _bad_ thing that could severely effect the _entire_ church. The RC system rises and falls on a single man, whereas the EO system has a much more resilient framework for maintaining orthodoxy. We’re called “the unchanging church” for a reason-even after centuries of Islamic oppression, communist persecution and yes, Latin subversion. This is what your Vatican acknowledged when it stated in the Chieti document that the Orthodox Church is the communion that is the one much more in line with the orthodoxy and orthopraxy of the first millennium.

[@cmoberg2036]

I became an Orthodox Christian six years ago. I was raised Lutheran and had many Catholic friends and family but there are numerous problems in the Catholic church that I have not found; in Orthodoxy even though i loved much of the Roman church God called me to Orthodoxy.. He chose me not the other way around. ...really.

[@padraicbrown6718]

I paused before you told us which you would choose. As a Catholic, the only things I would say is that you've described the One Church --- the Church as it existed before the east-west schism --- very well when you related your experiences of both Orthodoxy and Catholicism. Both Churches, more or less, have it all. As a Catholic, I'd say that you can hardly go wrong with Orthodoxy. You get so much of the experience of the ancient Church, you get the mysticism, you get the gold and the incense and the deep theology and you can also get small church community feelings. On the other side, in the Catholic Church, you can get, as you say, all the gold and the incense, the majesty, the deep theology, the mysticism (sometimes you have to go seeking!), you can get small church community, and you also get the fullness of the faith that Orthodoxy shares with Catholicism. The second thing I'd say is that, as Luther once said, you must follow your conscience. If you choose Orthodoxy or Protestantism, yet feel (as I think you admit) that Catholicism is "right" --- then you sin against your own conscience. If you truly believe that the Pope is not the successor of Peter, not the one to whom bishops and councils look for guidance, and that Orthodoxy is for you then I would say, go become an Orthodox! But if you lean ever so slightly to the Catholic structure, to the historical continuity, then I'd argue that you must pray, seek guidance, continue to research the early Fathers and the gospels. If your conscience is tugging you even the tiniest bit in that direction, then you must become a Catholic. A note on all the dogmas --- we don't ask people to tick boxes. We're just asked to have faith. The rest is a lifelong learning curve. There's lots of stuff I don't understand, but I just believe what the Church has always believed.

[@countryboyred]

It’s not that the Pope isn’t a successor of Peter, it’s that the Pope’s role as “first among equals” doesn’t equate to “supreme vicar of Christ who can unanimously tell every other church what to do and is the supreme binding authority of all churches”. He’s the bishop of Rome. A very important position and one of honor and primacy. But not one of a “God emperor” like Vatican 1 makes him out to be.

[@padraicbrown6718]

​@@countryboyred--- I think it actually does equate, and it really is a matter of understanding the historical context of ancient Hebrew kingship, and the theological context of Christ's kingship. I'm not sure where you get the concept of "God Emperor" from, but I doubt it was from any Church doctrine. Now, historically, yes, the popes had for a very long time wielded far more temporal power than they should have under ideal circumstances. Though, given the rather chaotic nature of the 5th century and following in Europe, I do think that temporal power might have had some stabilising effect on the rest of the continent. As the 19th century drew towards its close, the concept of the nation-state in Europe became much more entrenched in the mindset of ordinary people, and perhaps the loss of all that territory was a just rebuke to the papacy. I would note that since 1929 and the Lateran Treaty which formed the modern City-State of Vatican City, the popes have increasingly divested themselves of all that "God Emperor" business. Paul VI laid his own crown on the altar and no pope since has taken it up. But back to the keys and nature of the pope's authority. Even in every-day experience we all know what "to receive the keys to the kingdom" means. Even in a corporate job, it means you are delegated a certain portion of the Corporation's authority and you are given certain duties and have certain responsibilities. This language is not lost in the UK, for example, where an article relating to Prime Minister Boris Johnson's role in Brexit and this Office of the Keys. And when we look at scripture, we know that Jesus never speaks vacuously. He is often very serious, sometimes a little humourous, and always compassionate, but never empty are his words. As we read the Old Testament through the allegorical lens (finding in the OT an image or reflection of a NT reality), we read what the significance of the Office of the Keys is. In Isaiah we hear that Shebna is the steward --- the equivalent of the Prime Minister in modern times --- and he is over the household of the king, which means he has been given royal authority by the king. Shebna had done something wrong and God excoriates him by saying that he shall strip Shebna of his robe and sash and put them on Eliakim (symbols of office yet not mere symbols as they produce the effect of that which they symbolise, in the king's authority). Lastly, God says that he shall bestow the Key of the House of David on the minister's shoulder and essentially lays out exactly what Jesus lays out on Peter: "He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open." "Whatsoever you bind on Earth shall be bound in heaven, whatsoever you loose on Earth shall be loosed in heaven." It is simply not true that a pope can "can unanimously tell every other church what to do and is the supreme binding authority of all churches.” He can only do this (the dogma of papal infallibility) in matters of faith and morals. In other words, those things that are central to the faith, its dogmatic and doctrinal statements and its moral life. Generally speaking, we see this occur in the context of an Ecumenical Council. The first one is described in the Book of Acts. A number of other Ecumenical Councils have occurred since that time, right into the last century. The pope can also speak authoritatively on his own. We've already seen how this authority is given and what it means. Even so, he is bound to speak with authority, to bind and loose, in matters of faith and morals. Like, when the bishops of a certain country start saying that it is okay for two men to "get married", the pope has the right (and the obligation) to speak authoritatively on that matter.

[@countryboyred]

@harleymann2086 Rome doesn’t have “one” teaching coming out of it though. SSPX, every day norvous Ordo folks, eastern Catholics, etc all believe wildly different doctrines and practice their faith differently. Rome isn’t even close to being a monolith on matters of faith like you presuppose. Also Pope’s teachings vary wildly. Francis’s teachings do not square with Pius the 10ths for example.

[@countryboyred]

@@padraicbrown6718 “First among equals” doesn’t give the Pope the right to unilaterally declare dogma amongst every Church that exists. His position was always one of honor, not as some magical “super bishop”. I use the term God emperor because that’s basically what the medieval Popes fashioned themselves to be- absolute power corrupts absolutely and it takes nothing more than a cursory glance to see just how corrupt Rome is.

[@padraicbrown6718]

@@countryboyred --- Leaving aside the abuses, for which there is no excuse, Jesus just didn't say "Peter, you're first among equals. A kind of lateral promotion, a sinecure. Y'all just play nice." No, he singled out Peter, made him the foundation and gave *his office* a special role in Church governance. We have remember that God did not constitute the "Democratic Republic of Heaven". The paradigm is both monarchical and familial. Christ is our King, and Peter and and his successive office holders are our Prime Ministers. That's literally what's in the Bible. The rest of it is simply do we accept or reject?

[@annemcdonald3770]

Thank you for your candor. I've been really impressed with your intellectual honestly throughout this project you have shared with us. You seem truly desiring to let God lead you where He wants you

[@GospelSimplicity]

Thanks, Anne. I really appreciate that

[@BornAgainRN]

@@GospelSimplicity theologically, as someone who converted from Roman Catholicism to being a Protestant, when I eliminate the beliefs they share that I don’t agree with theologically, if I had to choose between the two, I would probably lean towards Eastern Orthodoxy. There are just too many things that Roman Catholicism believes that Eastern Orthodoxy rejects that I also reject. The main exception would be the Filioque. Theologically and biblically, Roman Catholicism has that right. But beyond that, it would not be enough to revert back to Roman Catholicism. So if I had to make a choice between the two, my vote would be Eastern Orthodoxy, because it has less things I disagree on than with Roman Catholicism.

[@MathieuLLF]

Former Protestant here and am Catholic now. I love it.

[@WhiteWolfSpirit]

Strangely I've been pondering the same questions. The more Rome moves from traditional worship, the more my spirit seems to yearn for it.

[@WhiteWolfSpirit]

Though admittedly I fell away as a teen. Bene trying to come back but u feel the local churches are lost and its all about a look they want to have as opposed to truly feeding their spirits.

[@jeremiahong248]

@@WhiteWolfSpirit Why do you say Rome moves from traditional worship? Are you Catholic or Orthodox?

[@reviewreviewer1]

@@WhiteWolfSpirit I hope you will go to the SSPX. Traditional worship should go together with traditional doctrine without any Caesaropapist influences.

[@WhiteWolfSpirit]

@@jeremiahong248 Catholic. I was raised Catholic anyways. I worship much on my own these days.

[@WhiteWolfSpirit]

@@reviewreviewer1 My options are limited. I go when I can, where is near. It's not my first choice. We should be mindful of our comments as others read them. The church has enough infighting and ot should be enough that people are seeking God. We should lift then uo best we can as our comments are our ministry as well as our testimonies. God bless.

[@OrthodoxChristian809]

I am hoping to become a catechumen this year 🙏☦️😀

[@ericlammerman2777]

Lord willing, I'll be a catechumen this Sunday and chrismated Holy Saturday:-)

[@OrthodoxChristian809]

@@ericlammerman2777 That's brilliant, I'm really happy for you 😃🙏☦️

[@Catholic01]

I’m a convert to Catholicism from eastern orthodox

[@fernandoxavier5688]

Man! I could swear that you'd say Roman Catholicism. But, since I'm an Orthodox Christian, I'm positively surprised. "Glory to God for all things!" - St. John Chrysostom

[@jonathanskeet5076]

Me too.... I was thinking "he's going to say Catholicism"

[@frankherbert6476]

I know; now I gotta pay my bookie! Austin seems to approach things from a very intellectual lens, so it's refreshing to hear him hit "pause" on that. I wish I had 1/4 of that insight at twice his age!

[@lindamartin6798]

A vulnerability hangover, hahaha! Thank you for your honesty and openness in weighing what you find appealing and not so attractive about each of the traditions. God bless!

[@calebhickerson]

Man, so much of what you share, I think, strikes at the heart of a what a thinking and charitable Protestant deals with when considering these great traditions. It’s at very least what I would identify with. Thank you for sharing

[@Apriluser]

Keep praying and pondering. I am personally an Anglican and my husband is a priest. We love this great tradition, having come from the Pentecostal/evangelical church. There is so much to explore and learn from the Church that came before us. They have handed down this tradition as Paul, the apostle often said in his epistles. And I don’t want to miss any of it!

[@calebhickerson]

@@Apriluser I've been doing some exploration into Continuing Anglicanism. I've grown up in the UMC and attend a UMC church, but learning about the Book of Common Prayer and spending time in the Daily Office has been a huge blessing to me. I've also taken to the Anglican rosary, and my evangelical wife has been joking that I've become a monk!

[@mariorizkallah5383]

I am a former Eastern Catholic (Maronite) now on my way to the font this Pascha into the Orthodox Church, I can that I will forever be grateful for God leading me out and calling me to communion in His Holy Church❤

[@matthewporcelli6288]

To the font? To be rebaptized? That's sacrilege.

[@AbdulRahman-bi1nu]

@@matthewporcelli6288he was a heretic

[@matthewporcelli6288]

@@AbdulRahman-bi1nu He was not. Even if he was, his baptism was valid.

[@johnanon9907]

Thank you for your honest, thinking aloud and humble contemplation of such essential matters. Congratulations on your graduation from seminary and your recent marriage. I found my way from protestant to Orthodox several years ago and I thank God for His patience and grace along the way. God bless you on your journey. Forgive me a sinner. Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us all. 🙏☦

[@kolokithas7865]

Thank you for being so cristal clear all these years. If you want, try to listen to your soul and you may listen what you need. Also, I believe that if we ask guidance from God, then things come naturally.

[@Georgios1821]

Καλησπέρα Αδελφέ

[@user-gd8rv2zf1r]

Orthodox converts here. Wife and I are both former Protestants. 5 children, 3 will grow up as cradles and the older two are still in exploration, spiritual development and consideration.

[@colmwhateveryoulike3240]

Nice answer. One thing caught my attention was when you said if you went back far enough in time your ancestors would have been RC. You might like to read the pilgrimage of St Egeria/Aetheria. She was a western nun from Spain who travelled through the west, the east and all the way to Jerusalem in the late 4th century. She wrote accounts of the liturgies she attended along the way and they are all strikingly similar to each other and to that of the modern Orthodox Church. Whereas, the Roman Catholic liturgy has changed a great deal. So a RC would of course agree with your statement because they consider themselves to be the same church and I respect that this is their perspective, but your ancestors from the fourth century and presumably earlier (in order for the homogeneity to spread so wide by then) would feel more familiar in any Orthodox Church. Cool to think about.

[@iliya3110]

I converted from Roman Catholicism to Orthodoxy...So grateful that I did. It's difficult to describe in one statement the gratitude I have for what Christ thru the Orthodox Church has brought me and my family's life. Glory to God.☦☦☦

[@lionheart5078]

that’s sad, you really have lost a treasure there

[@kayedal-haddad]

I am just about to do the same!

[@iliya3110]

@@lionheart5078 On the contrary, I found it. The pearl of great price is in the Orthodox Church.

[@iliya3110]

@@kayedal-haddad Glory to God. God bless you!

[@lionheart5078]

@@iliya3110 communion with rome has always been necessary to be in the church. I’m sorry but after doing a deep dive into the history of the church i’ve really come to realise the beauty and truth of obedience. Orthodox have a lot of the true faith but just as Christ is a stumbling block to the Jews, Peter will always be for the Orthodox. Jesus said he would build his church on Peter, the vatican is literally built on his body. Amazing how in every sense Jesus was correct. I could never leave that.

[@shredwarfare5446]

An Orthodox schema monk inspired a Priest to write "All doctrine, all thoughts and ideas about religion can be dismissed in place of (that monk's) divine humility" I am an Orthodox Inquirer about 4 months into regular Liturgy, and 10 years studying theology of East and West

[@timrichardson4018]

I really appreciate your honesty, fairness, and kind analysis of these things. I'm converting to Roman Catholicism from evangelicalism, and your videos have been inspiring to me over the past couple of years. As I weighed Catholicism and Orthodoxy, what it finally came down to for me was authority. I just couldn't argue with the papacy. There are many arguments for it. In scripture, it seems painfully clear that Peter was the chief of the apostles, that he had a special role among them, that he was given an authority that the others were not. The Orthodox idea of primacy is a nominal thing at best, devoid of any substance when it comes to Peter and his successors, and therefore strikes me as unscriptural. Matthew 16 aside, there isn't just one slam dunk verse. It's the sum of many many verses. Plus, the early church seemed to clearly understand that the Church is a physical institution (Orthodox agree). But without a unifying head, the Orthodox cannot say with certainty where the boundaries of the church are; they may say it's all the Orthodox Churches that recognize one another. But even then, there is a lack of consensus on various important matters. Anyway, I'm happy for you and your channel. You seem to genuinely love the Lord and seek to honor him. You've been true to your conscience. I believe all Christians should ultimately be unified in one church. But one can't and shouldn't make such a drastic change if they can't fully accept it. God bless you and guide you on your journey. Peace.

[@ayeeniko]

I'm cradle Orthodox, and I get papal primacy, but where has it gotten the western church? Your popes were so holy, they caused the great schism and the protestant reformation! they may have a tradition that traces back to Peter, but why hold to a tradition that elevates those who are unfit to the highest level and then on top of that, say they're infallible?! its like you guys WANT more schism. The biggest argument against the papacy is the history of the papacy.

[@permanenceaesthetic6545]

@@ayeeniko Agreed.

[@krimbii]

@@ayeeniko Was it solely the Church’s fault or could it at all be also the people who split from it? Even with all the schisms, the Catholic Church is still the largest group of Christian’s by far. The gates of hell will not prevail.

[@J..P..]

"I say it without the least hesitation, whoever calls himself the universal bishop, or desires this title, is, by his pride, the precursor of Antichrist, because he thus attempts to raise himself above the others. The error into which he falls springs from pride equal to that of Antichrist; for as that Wicked One wished to be regarded as exalted above other men, like a god, so likewise whoever would be called sole bishop exalteth himself above others." - Pope St Gregory the great

[@krimbii]

@@J..P.. First of all, it's important to note that Pope St Gregory wrote extensively on papal primacy, and this is but one paragraph you have taken out of context. In its approved sense, the title “universal bishop” suggests that the Bishop of Rome’s jurisdiction and authority extend to the whole Church, something with which Gregory was in hearty agreement. But it can be used in an incorrect sense also, and it is this sense that Gregory condemned. In the condemned sense the title is taken to mean that in the Church there is only one true bishop, with all others who claim the title merely acting as the true bishop’s delegates or deputies. Although Gregory believed the papacy to possess a universal jurisdiction and supremacy of authority, he didn’t think, nor does the Catholic Church teach, that this means only the Bishop of Rome is truly a bishop endowed by Christ with the power to teach, sanctify, and govern in Christ’s name.

[@ignacio.gonzalez.osb_dc]

Another great video, Austin! I think the issue ultimately boils down Authority - to whom do I submit my will and intellect and why? There is only one Church of which the Orthodox is a beautiful part, and please, God, after one thousand years, we might be fully united again and “breathe with both lungs.” But, sadly there remains an imperfect communion with them - more for historical and political than for theological reasons. But what is quite evident regarding the unity to be found in Churches that are union with Peter’s successor, others see that very point as a major obstacle. Again, the issue is Authority and where Christ is to be found - not only in the Bible and in the hearts of believers, but also in the Eucharist, and in the union of hearts and minds that ascent to the fact that Jesus established His Church on Peter who had primacy among the apostles and became the Bishop of Rome where he was martyred for the faith. May Our Lord’s prayer in John 17:21 become a reality. Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.

[@GospelSimplicity]

Wise words as always, Br. Ignacio. Looking forward to having you over for dinner soon!

[@thisartistsdream]

I love your final response of having a "vulnerability hangover". I truly appreciate all the videos you have made that I have been following along with for some time now. Your gentle spirit, wise and sensitive way of asking questions has been appealing. I am an Orthodox Christian who came from a more anti-religion and anti-Christian mindset to then Taoist/Buddhist. The problem was I kept hitting a wall when I would think about this historical Jesus person and the question "who do you say I am?" I felt that if God existed and it Jesus is God and if the Holy Spirit is perfect as they are perfect then there should be one perfect church and undivided (yes with imperfect people) so I basically told Jesus if you are who you say you are show me your perfectly created Church and make sure you show me in a perfect way. He did. And I am a testimony to his loving grace, patience, extreme love, humor, and absolute perfection. The Orthodox Church is his perfect Bride and all others, forgive me friends for my brashness and possible offense, but they are simply harlots. My memoir hopefully will be published soon that shares all of the miracles I have been witness to that led me to Christ and to ultimately becoming a better person.

[@sharonjackson5196]

Yes, a few centuries ago your ancestors would have been Roman Catholic, but a thousand years ago they would have been Orthodox. I hope this doesn't sound snarky; I mean this sincerely.

[@danieltirsoreanu2152]

Orthodoxy is what Christ taught and the Apostles kept -St. Athanasius the Great

[@jaybelle1909]

The quote is correct but the idea behind is not

[@ThomasGaryNuila]

If I hear you right, I hear you saying that our western minds have been trained to preference propositional knowledge in making our evaluations, but the more you try to evaluate religion propositionally, the more inadequate that kind of knowledge feels. Instead, it is the kind of knowledge we get by participation-participatory knowledge-that seems most tied up with what we are really evaluating when we choose a religion. These terms are from John Vervaeke, and have helped me in understanding why our more western modes of academic propositional evaluation don't seem adequate for many domains in life. I understand your thought of the foreignness of Orthodoxy, and this is what kept me from more serious inquiry for many years. It was finally discovering the parishes in the US that are not built from ethnic communities, but rather mostly of converts that helped me to see what Orthodoxy is becoming in its American form. One thing to keep in mind is that Orthodoxy is really still in its infancy stages in America, and if you look forward at the American character it is taking here, it's foreignness retreats more and more. Myself, my wife, and our eight children were baptized into Orthodoxy almost a year ago at Pascha after being devout Latter-day Saints all our lives. May Christ be with you and your family on your own spiritual journey.

[@andys3035]

God bless you! The fact that you came out of the LDS church is huge. I am being baptized into the Orthodox Church this year during Holy Week 🙏 ☦️

[@Logos_Unveiled]

Wow, LDS to Orthodoxy. Interesting.

[@ThomasGaryNuila]

@@andys3035 Glory to God! Yes, I think you'll be seeing more Mormons into Orthodoxy in coming years.

[@ThomasGaryNuila]

@@Logos_Unveiled I'm right at the border of Gen X and Millennials, high school class of 2000. I've always been a bit of an early adopter in my generation, so I could be wrong, but I think you're going to see an influx of Latter-day Saints into Orthodoxy in the coming 3-5 years. There's a great churn in Mormonism right now, and a lot of people are just going to leave (and already are) and some will find a very comfortable home in Orthodoxy.

[@Logos_Unveiled]

​@Thomas Gary Nuila Very interesting. I ran into 2 missionaries the other day while I took my family to the park, here in So-Cal.

[@edh.9839]

Catholic here. While I would have rejoiced if you had said Catholicism, I treasure your honesty and sincerity. I am a convert to Catholicism and, while I don't know a lot about Orthodoxy, I do consider them my close brothers and sisters in Christ. We share a beginning and God willing, we will unite again and share the end when our Lord returns. In the meantime -- keep doing what you do. I learn so much from you!

[@GospelSimplicity]

Thanks, Ed!

[@kerri7145]

Love your honesty 🙏🏻

[@r.lizarraga693]

Great vid! Your right that one cannot approach this purely in a logical or evidence-based manner. Both sides have their own convincing arguments. That's not to say these arguments are not important, but they're definitely not sufficient enough in themselves to convert someone. I think the right approach is to ask yourself "Where is God fully present?" This should lead you to the right place. As someone who converted to Orthodoxy from Roman Catholicism, the ecclesiastical disunity of Orthodoxy was definitely worrisome for me at first. But then I realized that the Orthodox Church has done a much better job at preserving the liturgical and theological traditions than the Roman Catholics. The papacy gives an illusion of unity, but it's actually been the main vehicle to promote radical changes in the Roman Catholic church the past millennia. The political chaos within the Orthodox Church is definitely a turn off, especially in the past 5 years with the schism between Russia and Constantinople over Ukraine and the war, and most especially in America with it's jurisdictional anarchy. But if you focus on the spiritual richness of the Orthodox Church, these things become less of an issue. It's actually kind of shocking how the Orthodox Church has been able to survive throughout the centuries, despite it's apparent institutional disorganization. It's almost as if it's guided by the Holy Spirit itself.

[@micahbre12]

Come home!! Love your honesty throughout your journey. Your videos have been a conversation at times in my orthodox Seminary.

[@salvadorros9109]

Thank you for your vulnerability. Many blessings and congratulations on your marriage.

[@katiaantonova6949]

I’ve been following your journey, although I have not watched every video, and I am so happy and proud of you!!! 💜

[@samrudman7839]

I say this as a evangelical Christian whose Protestant who is pretty Calvinist in most of what I believe. However, I thought about this the other day, I would rather be Orthodox.

[@samrudman7839]

@@mattjackson450 well I have a Catholic friend who I talk to about all things theology and he invited me to a mass service. It didn’t do anything for me since I don’t believe in the psychical presence of Christ, rather the spiritual presence which is the Calvinist view. There’s a Greek Orthodox Church down the road which is 10 minute walk away but I’m always working so I never find time. Also what do I do as a non orthodox in a service? Just stand there quietly?

[@fungusbeef]

When I was a Calvinist I would have said the same thing -- in large part because the ecclesiology of Orthodoxy and the Reformed seem more compatible in some ways (but extremely incompatible in other ways). FWIW, I'm now Catholic and delighted to be so.

[@samrudman7839]

@@mattjackson450 It would take a long time before I become Orthodox. I like my systemic theology and reformed views too much 😂. I have my convictions but I would listen to other views.

[@dannydux0335]

@@samrudman7839 Take a look the works of St Thomas Aquinas and Domingo Báñez on predestination. These are Roman Catholic Figures. St Thomas Aquinas is as much concerned about undermining God's divine providence as the Calvinist is when he says "Hence reprobation implies not only foreknowledge, but also something more, as does providence, as was said above". "as was said above" refers to Summa Theologiae > First Part > Question 23 Article 1. It may be worth a read. Domingo Báñez introduced the concept of "pre-motion" which emphasises how our free will (capacity for secondary causation) must *always be submitted* the first cause, namely God. Interesting fact: Domingo Báñez developed his ideas during a debate against Luis de Molina, who developed Molinism. Hope this helps! Never discount the richness of the Roman Catholic Church, especially in theology and philosophy where Eastern Orthodox do not even come close.

[@samrudman7839]

@@dannydux0335 I’ve read some Aqaunis in Bible College. Again I’m not moved by Catholicism in the same way my reformed faith does.

[@sergioskyriacou6435]

That's the point:..it pulls my heart a bit more than my head(7:54)! Beatifyl, already an orthodox way to think!

[@protestanttoorthodox3625]

I’m glad you actually answered the question. Good luck on your journey

[@mythologicalmyth]

I’m looking to interview people who convert. My email on my page. Thanks.

[@ironyusa3885]

@5:17 - The statement "there is no salvation outside of the Church" isn't a statement that everyone outside the Orthodox Chuch will be damned, rather it's an acknowledgement that a full Christian life is lived in the Church.

[@irodjetson]

love your honesty, I couldn’t see myself without my Pope. I just hope you look for truth and not simply accidental experiences.

[@darlenegriffith6186]

Even this current pope who is literally off the rails? Then even more controversial is the time of the Western Schism (1378-1417) when there were 3 rival popes, each with their own following, their own Sacred College of Cardinals and their own administrative offices. The history of Papacy is riddled with scandal, falsehoods and conquests of genocide and violence.

[@irodjetson]

@@darlenegriffith6186 Even with this pope, the office of the pope is to be defended no matter what, Jesus instituted the office, if we have bad people in office it doesn’t mean that the office is bad.

[@irodjetson]

@@darlenegriffith6186 having bad kings doesn’t mean the office of the king shouldn’t exist, or president, or police officer… The office should be respected always, and in order to do that we must respect the people in office, we don’t have to obey something that is not actually part of the jurisdiction of their office, for example if a pope tells me how to make my breakfast I don’t have to obey him, that’s not in the jurisdiction of his office, but to not respect the authority of a legitimate office is to destroy the very order of things or at least participate in the process of destruction.

[@Obilisk18]

Very thoughtful and honest presentation of your thoughts. I'm a Protestant who's been discerning Catholicism for quite a long time (too long, I think), and I've recently been more interested in Orthodoxy as well. One thing that occurs to me when thinking about the strengths of Orthodoxy, relative to Catholcism - they seem at least partly driven by the fact that the Catholic Church is trying to be a universal church, in a way that isn't quite true of Orthodoxy, at least from my vantage point. I'm not even talking, really, about the national church thing. I just mean, what do the churches look like? In addition to a Catholic church, I also attend a Southern Baptist Church weekly (I know, an odd mix). The SBC Church is an excellent church, that does the sort of thing it's trying to do about as well as any Church of that kind I've attended. But everyone there comes from, broadly, the same place. They're white (in a diverse neighborhood), middle to upper middle class (in a low-income town), politically conservative (in a D island, surrounded by an R sea). And they all came in to the church that way. It's a refuge, which forms people of this disposition and temperament and background into better, more earnest Christians. The Catholic Church I attend looks like the broader community. There are plenty of people there who probably voted for Biden and plenty of people who are annoyed at the church's teaching on social issues. There are plenty of people who want a more contemporary Mass and also plenty of people who want a more reverent one. There are folks who will only take communion on the tongue and folks who probably cheer restrictions on the Latin Mass. A church that is trying to operate universally in that way-that tries to take in the world and shape it, even if ever so gently-is never going to look and act and think and move exactly like the one I dream up in my head. So, to some extent those deficits are feature, not a bug for me. Here's a home and a hospital. Here's the freakish and the familiar. Here's staid rigidity that will bend, if only just. An Anglican Priest recently suggested Anglicanism to me, as a center of diversity so wide I could surely find something that suited. But Christianity is not a mirror. We're meant to gaze not upon ourselves but upon Him. And there's something to be said for a church that says, however hamfistedly and maladroitedly, "come as you are, surely, the gates are wide open- and walk the narrow road".

[@angelvalentinmojica6967]

As a Catholic, you should look into the lutheran church as well based on your experience.

[@MB-zn9vg]

​@@angelvalentinmojica6967 why? You're not catholic if you say this

[@bman5257]

Very fair, and insightful answer. Thank you.

[@jenniferrogoff8459]

Proud of your vulnerability honesty and deep consideration cause bottom line you just want the Truth!! God bless you!!! I'm Catholic and so that's my vote! Lol when we seek God with all our mind heart soul and strength most certainly you will find! So I'm not worried. I know God Will bring you to exactly where He desires! And now that's exactly where you are! God bless you again!

[@krimbii]

The mindset here is "I like this, and I like this... This sounds good to me, that sounds good to me... This feels good to me". The mindset should be, which Church does Jesus Christ want us to be a part of? What rules does he want us to obey? What Church is he able to give us dogma and doctrine through a hierarchy that He created? It is about obeying divine authority, not still picking from the Protestant theological buffet.

[@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr]

true

[@JunakBlazheski]

Dear brother! I watch your channel for a while and I love your sincerity. Thats why you love Orthodoxy! And trust me, we love you by a love of our Lord Jesus Christ and we are waiting you to come home! You should know that your grand-grand-grand ancestors were orthodox, too, because they were baptised before the Great Schism. Don't forget that. And don't forget that we love you what ever you choose. However, we would love to share this love and joy of Christ and its fullness with every living soul (searching for God)! Greetings from Serbia and Macedonia, brother! Christ is risen! True He is risen!

[@Joker22593]

One of my top prayer priorities is the reunification of the East and West. I don't think the differences are as big as they seem! It's mostly just a fight about who is in charge. It should be Jesus, but God delights in secondary causes, so here we are trying to decide who Jesus put in charge...

[@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr]

as soon as the pope relinquishes power and walks back some doctrines as necessary, you can have unity

[@joekey8464]

Christ, in His wisdom has already decided that (a leader), from the very start when He chose His apostles. Are we so stubborn to not see and realize the logic of that. This is just plain disobedience and ignoring Christ. - division is a plot of the devil.

[@TommyGunzzz]

I don't think you are educated on the matter. I'm sure every devout Orthodox person can't wait to adorn Pachamama and climate activism lol. And why would reunification even be necessary if the the Vatican affirms that the Orthodox have valid sacraments and that it's a great sin to even try and convert them? Same goes for Muslims according to the Vatican lol, so as you can tell, no thank you

[@AnestheticsForAna]

My thoughts exactly. I’m Roman Catholic and when I meet an orthodox brother or sister, they are family. Like, no question. The differences really don’t manifest themselves so obviously as they do when I talk to a Protestant brother or sister. Talking to Protestants is a little more difficult because there isn’t the common basis of traditional practices of worshipping Christ I guess. East and west need to reunite, the right and left lung of the Church

[@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr]

@@AnestheticsForAna I guess we aren't uniting on the gospel

[@vasiliosasimakos5102]

Austin my friend, it's a matter of perspective. Once, almost all Christians were Orthodox Christians, from Ireland to India. At the Heavenly Throne, Saint Bede stands alongside Saint Vincent of Lerins, who stands alongside Saint Ambrose of Milan, who stands alongside Saint Basil of Caesaria, who stands alongside Saint Ephraim the Syrian. A return to Orthodoxy would be even more poetic. I pray that God enlightens you.

[@zacbrewer4368]

As a Byzantine Catholic I totally understand your point. My heart is Orthodox, but I am convicted of the Papal claims, so I hold tightly to the chair of St Peter.

[@patcandelora8496]

Well stated! Even when any given occupant of that Chair goes off the rails that’s when we cling to the Chair even tighter because of the promise attached to it!🙏🏼

[@zacbrewer4368]

@YAJUN YUAN It is not a hybrid, it is first century Orthodoxy. It is also authentic Catholicism as lived in the east.

[@booklassygarrahan3929]

Keep praying. With Orthodox Christianity, the answers come as you practice it. It was hard for me because I just wanted to read a book and, boom, have the answers. I get it now. I was Protestant then Roman Catholic and, several years ago, Orthodox. I feel settled in my soul now. Remember, all of our Christian ancestors, if they went way back as Christians, were Orthodox at one time, and that includes the Celtic or European Orthodox. Whatever you decide, I wish God's many blessings for you and your family. Read Thinking Orthodox by Dr. Eugenia Constantinou, if you haven't already. It helped me the most of all my Orthodox books. (I know you interviewed her before)

[@johnmackall8243]

I'm sure a lot of people appreciate the openness. My advice is to talk with your wife about all this. No matter which way your leaning, if she isn't on board, will strain your marriage greatly. I'm speaking from experience. Just be sure your marriage comes first. God won't pull you apart in this.

[@sotiriosnovatsis4529]

I admire your consideration of keeping the marriage together, but I respectfully disagree that it comes first. Faith before all, including family. He must follow what God tells him, whatever that may be. If his wife truly loves him and is a woman of God herself, she’ll respect his choice. As he would respect her faith.

[@ajmeier8114]

Marriage before God?

[@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr]

@@ajmeier8114 If you believe you're not following God by not being in a particular denomination or style of worship

[@MrPeach1]

God comes first. That being said he isn't going to ask you to destroy a marriage he joined together.

[@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr]

@@MrPeach1 I left Catholicism and my husband is still a Catholic and our marriage is not destroyed.

[@Emperorfren]

He said he would choose Orthodoxy. Saved you 8 minutes.

[@orthodoxboomergrandma3561]

The Roman Catholic Church was Orthodox in the West before 1054 or so! 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@terawhitaker]

Man I started as a Roman Catholic... went to SBC and now thinking about orthodoxy. Thank you for your thoughts on this.

[@paveli1181]

I appreciate the ecumenical stand in your presentations. As protestant I like and appreciate traditions that create continuity with divine family thru millennia. And they also help natural families to stay in the faith as well. I appreciate your honesty, and I believe we should stay where we are but learn from others. Because there is a lot to learn. Romans 14 is particularly helpful in that regard, as it deals with believers that have different traditions. I frankly see some orthodox ideas making their way into Protestantism which is a good thing.

[@daysihall8569]

Austin, if you would ever convert to the Orthodox Church, I could really see you becoming a wonderful caring orthodox priest. ❤

[@theomimesis]

As a person who grew up in Western Christianity it took many years for me to convert to Eastern Christianity. It is the Triadology and Christology of Orthodoxy, along with the Divine Liturgy, which ultimately made me switch to the East.

[@josephmary969]

when speaking about your ancensors, if they are from the uk or europe, they probably were orthodoxy , before roman catholic. there are western rites much older than the eastern rites such as those which the celts and guals had much before rome took over