Appalachian Orthodoxy: The Power of Beauty

Some say that beauty will save the world. So do we...
www.holycross....
"Appalachian Orthodoxy: The Power of Beauty" tells the story of Prince Vladimir's transformation from a pagan warlord to a Christian saint. What was the key to his conversion? Beauty. But not just any kind of beauty. It was the otherworldly beauty of an Orthodox Christian temple and Orthodox Christian worship that touched the hearts of men and altered the destiny of nations.
Our monastic brotherhood is currently building our own beautiful temple to house our life of daily prayer and worship. People often ask us, "Why are you building such a costly church out in a little hollow of West Virginia? Why don't you build something more modest that's well within your means?" The answer is, "Because we believe in the transformative power of beauty." With this splendid new church, we carry on the rich legacy of Slavic Christianity. We build because we believe that beauty is not a luxury. We believe that beauty can save the world.
If you believe it too, then please donate to help us finish this church:
www.holycross....

[@Orthodoxzee]

This is beautiful, I love Holy Christian Orthodoxy ive just found it about 2 months ago. Ill be a catechumen next month. One request brothers and sisters. Please pray for me as I suffer from sexual addiction. Its extremely hurtful to me and something im deeply ashamed of. God bless you all.

[@olgaath1511]

Christ is Born, brother! What’s your first name? I’ll mention you in my prayers. ☦️🙏

[@marutz84]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZi9q2mcYtShr7Msi=YdIvAMhDN_V1UvEW

[@Orthodoxzee]

Glorify Him! My name is Blake. Thank you so much sister!

[@Buckeye93901]

God gave me a personal saying during a time I had to learn to abstain from sugar. An addiction is an addiction. We must struggle daily and give our weaknesses to God. “I abstain and God sustains”. May God give you strength in your struggle. Will pray for you. 🙏🏻☦️🕊️

[@thegoodpath5008]

I will be praying for you Blake 🙏🏻 confessing our sins is over half the battle and so, you are on a good path. Keep seeking the Lord and rejoice for the trials because they bring us endurance, strength & ever nearer to our merciful Savior through repentance ☦❤

[@evaneparat]

Appalachian Orthodox beauty will save America.

[@romaniameaiubita8843]

AMIN❤

[@TheMiriam333]

Amen!! I pray!!

[@HunterBidensHandgun]

I pray that i can find an Orthodox Church near me in Missouri. I want so badly to convert from protestantism.

[@marklinlionel7163]

Христос народжується Слава Йому

[@romaniameaiubita8843]

AMIN🇷🇴✝️❤️

[@matfejpatrusin4550]

I'm cheering for the flourishing of Appalachian Orthodoxy wholeheartedly! It is indeed one of those things that you just know has to exist. Prayers & orthodox brotherly greetings from Hungary.

[@dondercole4249]

Made a pilgrimage to the monastery many years ago for the feast of the Holy Cross. I remember the ringing of the massive bells. Definitely worth the trip. God Bless all the monks works and prayers!

[@romaniameaiubita8843]

Amin🇷🇴✝️❤️

[@michaelhealy1590]

Wonderful video. I am Roman Catholic, but admire the Orthodoxy. Both denominations of the same Faith have rich and beautiful traditions. All praise our God in many forms. I would love to visit the monasterey at some future time.

[@hutdweller7430]

"I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church," One of Jesus' great prayers to the Father was "that they may be One "

[@Alex-m6k9i]

​@@hutdweller7430 The first to use the expression "Catholic Church" was Bishop Ignatius of Antioch ("Ignatius Theophorus") in his epistle to the church in Smyrna, around 110

[@ndmmt-wu7kz]

While I also admire Orthodoxy, you do know that the second scene was directed to condemn both of us specifically…..

[@wandersoultiming]

From Wayne WV & seeing this made me so happy. Moved to NC two years ago & this alone makes me want to head back home! 💚

[@Kdriggs15]

Wayne WV is where my family is from. My heart leaps with joy. Glory be to God.

[@anastasias.9948]

Glory to God! This is a great production to show to older children. I'm hoping for more. It is very important for both traditional and homeschoolers. Beauty will save the world is a quote from Fyodor Dostoyevsky.

[@merccadoosis8847]

A quote from 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐭. It suggests the ability to appreciate and create beauty has the power to bring about positive change in the world. A very good thought, indeed.

[@JoséManuelManso-u9t]

Es un video precioso, ileno d imágenes y escenas piadosas e históricas q compendian el Xmo, un católico d España

[@TheosisPeriod]

As a Catholic, I hope for Orthodoxy to spread in the US. It is far preferable to the weak and watered-down Christianity that we often see in the States. We Catholics and Orthodox are like children whose parents are fighting. Brothers and sisters, we should rejoice when one parent or the other succeeds, even if they do not succeed together. A win for Orthodoxy is a win for Catholicism. A win for Catholicism is a win for Orthodoxy. All of which is a win for Christ.

[@crisruggiero8017]

What a beautiful, peaceful place!

[@katherinemitropoulos1516]

Κύριε Ελέησον ημάς

[@steelfalconx2000]

This is a fantastic film. Glory to God!

[@simibignall5688]

A wonderful and inspiring video. May we all be moved by beauty to holiness. May God bless all at Holy Cross Monastery.

[@nivisvanaka]

Fyodor Dostoevsky says that say that beauty will save the world, and I agree with him

[@ImHavinaHoot]

Beautiful video! ☦️🙏🏼

[@feeble_stirrings]

May it be blessed!

[@lindasue8719]

Fascinating! With what relatively little I know about the rich and diverse customs and beliefs of Appalachia it never even occurred to me about Orthodoxy! "Hygia Sophia in the holler." I love that!❤ I'm interested in so many religions and belief systems, but there really is something magical about the early church... And those practices that can still be seen today. My father was brought up in the Ukrainian Greek orthodox church but we didn't attend church (I was even baptized there). As a lifelong musician and music historian, there is no music on Earth that compares to Orthodox choirs 🎶💞

[@romaniameaiubita8843]

🇷🇴✝️❤️

[@SalyLuz-hc6he]

💙🙏🏼💛🖖🏼🇺🇦✌🏼🌅🫶🏼🌻

[@LenaArnold-jw1oi]

🤗🤗🤗

[@lindaglendenning3896]

Is the song played at the end of- take me home, please put the link, BLESSINGS ☦️

[@HolyCrossMonasteryWV]

It's a choral arrangement of "Take Me Home, Country Roads" done by Benedict Sheehan and sung by the St. Tikhon Choir. You can watch the whole performance here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZqbqaGVotJ_sKM.

[@lindaglendenning3896]

@@HolyCrossMonasteryWV Thank you,☦️

[@NoOneInParticular94]

Amen!

[@mariavlahochristos7756]

Glory to God

[@user-np6mm5ug6t]

Truly a beautiful video and a beautiful place you are building. Do you really have great schema monks living there as the picture in the beginning of the video suggests?

[@earltaylor1893]

I’m speechless. What a beautiful and holy story. God Bless

[@pookie453]

Amazing how Christ can change the heart and uphold our father that is in heaven in this only one God glory to the father the son the holy spirit only one God amen have mercy have mercy

[@ZetaN7]

Unfortunately I live two hours west of Appalachia. My mother's parents moved north from south eastern Kentucky for a better living. And my father's great grandparents came from the Carpathians of Kolomyya, Ukraine. They were actually devout Catholics. Looked into Orthodox churches near me and there's probably only make five in my area.

[@ammazer1229]

Merry Christmas to y’all. I hope you’re doing well on this blessed day.

[@shibijohn3641]

❤❤❤

[@balsamitrovic4346]

Amin

[@MashedLinux]

What is the chant used at 4:14?

[@HolyCrossMonasteryWV]

It is an all-male arrangement of Psalm 103 from Rachmaninoff's Vespers, sung by the Optina St. Petersburg Podvorie Choir. You can listen to the whole chant here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnS0lqmhqc6sjLs

[@mamafortuin]

The production value of this video is superb. So beautiful! I pray I may make a pilgrimage to this monastery. ☦️🙏

[@Arcadian1821]

I'm very much looking forward to visiting here.

[@Alexander_Isen]

A powerful point. The course of history is partly dictated by the natural order of beauty. God bless you and best of luck in all the trials you face in the monastic life.

[@elizluv]

Glory to God!

[@HoboBob]

Glory be to God!

[@trenpire]

Now we must reclaim the Hagia Sophia

[@Aromatic.Bleach]

Not gnosticism

[@RickSimmons-ej1pv]

The good fathers bake a dynamite loaf of Russian Rye bread. It can't be beat. All good wishes to their enterprise! They are doing God's work.

[@Sammy-lv5gw]

Appalachia has other Orthodox gems hidden in them hills, case in point: Saint Nektarios in Lenoir City, Tennessee; Saint Tickon's in Johnson City, Tennessee; and the newest, Saint Peter Aleut in White Pine, Tennessee. Orthodoxy is taking the billies by storm, ye reckon? It be God-His'un-Trinitas, livin' in that inaccesible Light, and stabbin' at us wit' His Energies into the created firm'a. But, ain't God the same time equality far a'from and equality close to the mindness, as the sense!

[@yl5020]

🙏🏽

[@austinm6056]

Sophia will be ours again lord have mercy on us all

[@Aromatic.Bleach]

I wasn't aware Orthodoxy was Gnosticism?

[@MarvelTheDefenders]

God Please Abbot Seraphim and Fr. Peter (JOC) Forever! ☦️🕎🕊️ 👍🏾💛🖖🏾🕊️

[@სოსოიორამაშვილი]

how is building of new church going?

[@HolyCrossMonasteryWV]

You can see the latest construction update here: www.holycross.org/blogs/news/church-construction-fundraising-update-feb-2024

[@სოსოიორამაშვილი]

@@HolyCrossMonasteryWV ok

[@marklinlionel7163]

These guys don't look like foot washing, snake biting, tongue speaking Baptist. Praise the Lord.

[@sakellarioudimitris7439]

Let me correct you though.....Don't say Slavic inheritance.......just say Orthodox heritage!!!!! The Slavs have received the Orthodox Faith from us,Greeks! But if you go way back, us Greeks received it from the Jews So what I'm trynna say here is that Orthodoxy is supernational,it transcends nationality

[@shobudski6776]

Don’t disregard what the Slavic people endured to maintain their Orthodox Christian beliefs.

[@dereisenadler6717]

@@shobudski6776I don’t believe he is disregarding the horror and persecution the slavs across eastern Europe had to endure to keep their faith. He is just saying that the customs and practices of Orthodoxy transcend the typical cultures we think of and have roots that go all the way back to Israelite practices of biblical times, which have been passed down to different peoples across the world.

[@mr.jproductions4496]

I want to tell you that there is no Slavic Christianity, there is Christianity and there is Orthodoxy. Therefore, in one word, this statement you made in the video is heretical 3:50 I am also Orthodox and this is unacceptable for me. Therefore, Christianity is one, there is neither Slavic nor Roman.

[@Nick-ij5nt]

Orthodoxy is so overlooked in the west, hopefully it'll spread more.

[@Westyrulz]

If the Pope continues his antics I am sure it will.

[@LorenzoMasterConnector]

@@Westyrulzyeah hopefully the east reunites with the west as one holy Catholic and apostolic church

[@mariorizkallah5383]

@@LorenzoMasterConnectorhopefully the west returns to Orthodoxy, the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

[@jesuschrist3.146]

Amen 🎉

[@luismanuelpotencianonorato9672]

​@@mariorizkallah5383Que el Oriente vuelva tener la comunión con el Papa de Roma.

[@NavelOrangeGazer]

My great-grandparents were immigrants from carpatho-russian slovakia when it was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire to the coal mining Appalachian region of Pennsylvania. I now attend an Orthodox church in this region and nothing else on earth feels like home as much as this does. Appalachian Orthodoxy is 🙏☦️🥰 Beauty will save the world!

[@thegoodpath5008]

Amen ☦🙏🏻

[@ryanbutela]

That’s incredible, my family came from the same area and settled in the same region of PA! What county in PA? We’re still in Fayette County where they settled. I also converted back to the Faith and my parents after.

[@leonoremcintyremeuchner1446]

To quote Fyodor Dostoevsky! 🙏

[@aekole2]

I love the story of how the Kievan Rus choose Orthodoxy due to the wonder of Hagia Sophia! So nice to see it taught to our brothers in America. God bless you all 🇬🇷☦️

[@romaniameaiubita8843]

AMIN🇷🇴✝️❤️

[@marclayne9261]

Scot-Irish Appalachian.....Ancestors since 1740s, Virginia & Kentucky.....I consider myself an Orthodox Christian...& worship online...

[@sacredkinetics.lns.8352]

I'm a former Catholic; exploring Orthodoxy and I like it.

[@ilyazakharov3645]

The America's own Mount Athos

[@CyberMusicologist]

Great song choices! Truly amazing to me to see the combination of my Faith and my favorite genre of music.

[@zosima_the_sinner]

Christ is Born! Glorify ! Fathers pray for us sinful peoples and ask the Lord to grant us tears over our sins!

[@romaniameaiubita8843]

AMIN❤

[@BaremetalBaron]

I don't have much money to donate, but are there opportunities to serve the church with my labor? - Catechumen, preparing for Orthodox baptism, considering a pilgrimage.

[@HolyCrossMonasteryWV]

Come and visit, there's always something to do around here! www.holycross.org/pages/visitor-information

[@thegoodpath5008]

Another incredible production! Glory to God! 🙏🏻 ❤ ☦ I am so thankful Appalachia is being blessed by the Ancient Faith!

[@stanley1554]

Amen and Glory to God. Well done.

[@Gaizaz]

Slavu Bogu!!!

[@austinfurgason3634]

Amazing!!! God bless the growth of Orthodoxy!

[@deadtothewxrld]

I look forward to seeing a beautiful structure that can inspire people to look to Christ, as historic sites have done. Beauty matters!

[@romaniameaiubita8843]

AMIN🇷🇴✝️❤️

[@markoredano9141]

You guys make the BEST long form content. I only wish it was more frequent!

[@edwardprice140]

Looking forward to Pilgrimage Weekend. Like & share this video, please.

[@lendmitrienko8399]

We are so gladdened with the construction progress. God willing we hope we can visit in 2024.

[@romaniameaiubita8843]

AMIN🇷🇴✝️❤️

[@craigculwell9177]

🕯️🌐 CHRIST IS BORN, GLORIFY HIM! 👑 ♥️🌙

[@chalmadanes405]

Wow this is amazing. Thank you for the education

[@KirstinParker-iw8fr]

May it be blessed 💕

[@inn8self]

7:53 Pristine beauty has seeds that blossom in our hearts.

[@LenaArnold-jw1oi]

🙏🙏🙏

[@thomasmacabee8361]

"Beauty will save the world"

[@alexandercharette5282]

Lovely video. For the curious, the banjo tune is "Susan's Gone" by Dirk Powell. Merry Christmas 🎄!

[@calatianupriser]

Merry Christmas and glory to God 🙏☦

[@brotherrob.5999]

Hi I have just found your channel and it's fantastic. But I subscribed but the bell icon doesn't work so I won't get notifications, just to let you know so you can take a look at it. God bless you 🙏 ❤️ Rob from Wales 🙏

[@ryrocks9487]

Lovely.

[@LynetteBishop-v9k]

❤

[@eldermillennial8330]

The monastery grounds would be a great place for farming the new chestnut hybrid saplings prior to replanting them out in the wild.

[@renafielding945]

It IS almost heaven there. ❤

[@DesignTeam23]

What is Eastern Orthodox? Jesus loves me. But I struggle with the philosophies of my local churches. Not Jesus words or scripture. The side bar beliefs and parts of rural culture mixed in the religion. I just want some old time Jesus. Tell me more.

[@JarosławEmert]

I come from Poland but I have orthodox ancesters, I believe in Jesus Christie and I have come back to church of my ancesters, to orthodoxy, Slava Bogu ta Isusovi Christusovi! Sława Bogu i Jezusowi Chrystusowi! God bless us ! ☦️🇵🇱🙂

[@mujaku]

‘The Word of God taking a portion of the newly created earth, has with his own immortal hands fashioned our frame, and imparted life to it; since the spirit which he breathed into it, is an effluence (ἀπορροή) of the invisible Divinity. Thus out of the dust, and out of the breath, man was created in the image of the Immortal, for in both the spiritual nature reigns supreme. That is why being but dust, I am bound to the life here below; having also a divine part (θείαν μοίραν) I carry in my breast the longing for eternal life.’ - St. Gregory Nazianzen

[@kitwarjri7086]

Haga sophia was built by two greeks architect ..i just watch a doc of it on Nova. Nobody can built churches like this anymore.

[@MarkMcMahon-o4z]

Awesome Awesome Awesome how desperately our poor world needs this! Thank you for your witness and trust in the ever living God!

[@IRexStephIPhiCephI]

Agios O Theos 🙏🏼 please pray for me dear brothers 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼as I pray for you all 🙏🏼

[@madebyPure]

So the great Dostoevsky wrote. Best of luck with your works.

[@radulazar5485]

Who are appalachians?

[@jeffreyhoward6319]

A rugged, hearty, people descended from mostly Scots Irish settlers, fiercely independent, industrious, tireless, deeply spiritual and pragmatically religious.

[@IOANNIS132]

🥇🌌☦️💞

[@evg_penz2131]

Like this video. 👍 greatest ❤

[@livinglife3257]

Subscribed! God bless 🙏

[@RISEINCHRISTSPIRIT]

THE LORD'S PRAYER Father you who where are and will be in our innermost being may your name be glorified and praised in Us may your kingdom grow in our deeds and in most lives may we perform your Will as you Father lay it down in our innermost being you give us spiritual nourishment the bread of life super abundantly in all the changing conditions of our lives let our mercy towards others make up the sins done to our being you do not allow the tempter to work in us beyond the capacity of our strength for no temptation can live in your being Father and the temperature is only appearance and delusion from which you lead us Father through the light of knowledge may your power and glory work in us through all periods and ages of time. Amen

[@RISEINCHRISTSPIRIT]

Lectio Divina: “Divine Reading” Lectio Divina, or “Divine Reading,” involves meditative listening to the reading, out loud and slowly, of a short passage or a few isolated verses of Scripture. It can be down on your own or with a group. Those who listen are encouraged to set aside analysis, and what they “know” already about the passage, seeking instead to open themselves to God’s word, listen with their hearts, and receive it expectantly and passively. They then attend to what they receive from God. God’s word is received personally, as an individualized gift to each person. Lectio Divina, on your own Choose a short Scripture passage for your meditation, and it is to be read out loud slowly. Quiet yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to guard and guide your meditation. First reading. One-minute silent reflection before God. Take notice of whatever captures your attention in the passage or in your inner experience. Second reading. One-minute silent reflection. Listen for a single word or phrase that particularly strikes you. Third reading. Three to five minutes of silent reflection. Listen to how the passage seems to touch your life experience. Fourth reading. Three to five minutes of silent reflection. What do you feel the passage might be inviting you to do? What is God inviting you to be? How is God inviting you to change? Spend some time in prayer over what you received from God’s word, and give thanks for his gift to you.

[@romaniameaiubita8843]

🇷🇴✝️❤️DOAMNE AJUTA TUTUROR 🇷🇴✝️❤️

[@SpicyYams]

what is the song that stars at 1:50 ?

[@michaelvandenheuvel317]

A Men is all I can say. 🙏

[@Ark_3311]

what is the chant at 2:22?

[@HolyCrossMonasteryWV]

It is an all-male arrangement of Psalm 103 from Rachmaninoff's Vespers, sung by the Optina St. Petersburg Podvorie Choir. You can listen to the whole chant here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnS0lqmhqc6sjLs

[@Ark_3311]

@@HolyCrossMonasteryWV Thank you!

[@jeffreyhoward6319]

One of the most beautiful of Orthodox hymns in my opinion

[@russellmorris4050]

I have a donation for you which will bring you Miracles, and will help you work Miracles, “Even Greater Than Mine.” Jesus. 💜 Angel NicGillicuddy Coming your way. 🙏🏽

[@TheLexiconMind]

That's nice 45,000 other people who are undoubtedly watching seeing the wonderfully warm humble nostalgia captured in this video. It's like a warm radiating energy of goodness. Love it.

[@thoalis4325]

West Virginia, Country Road. Happy Easter everyone. 🥲

[@Aromatic.Bleach]

I didnt even know that there was russian influence in the area. Learn something new every day.

[@Covertops2049]

One of my favorite places on Earth.

[@Theuronia]

Thank you very much. I cried watching. God bless You from Russia +

[@Arcadian1821]

God bless Orthodox Russia. From a Greek American.

[@OleksandrP7]

SLAVA TO UKRAINE, GOD PLEASE SAVE OUR ORTHODOX PEOPLE!!!