The Spiritual War -- Elder Ephraim of Philotheou and Arizona

This is video from 1992 and filmed at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Pittsburgh, PA upon an unexpected visit from Elder Ephraim. Archimandrite Ephraim of Philotheou, commonly known as Elder Ephraim, is an archimandrite and former abbot of Philotheou Monastery on Agion Oros. He is also the Elder of at least four (as of 2002) of the twenty main monastic houses on the Holy Mountain, and one skete, as well as many monasteries and convents throughout Greece. He is also the founder of numerous monasteries and convents in the United States. He resides in Florence, Arizona at St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Monastery. Elder Ephraim has been a priest-monk for the past 60 years and has served as an elder for almost 50 years. He was a disciple of Saint Joseph the Hesychast of Mount Athos and lived in monastic obedience to him for 12 years until his Elder's repose on the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God in 1959.
* December 7th 2019, the much-beloved +Elder Ephraim of Arizona reposed in the Lord after being ill for many years. According to reports, Elder Ephraim was aware of his impending death some days before, and despite this he would still daily go out and give his blessing to the people. His personal doctor told him to not go out Saturday evening, the day of his repose, to bless the people. Elder Ephraim was lucid on the day of his repose and partook of the Immaculate Mysteries. Then at 9:00pm (Mountain Standard Time), as he was upright occupied with something, he suddenly tilted slightly to the side and died. Nurses found him practically upright, having delivered his spirit to the Lord.
Preserve the Sacred Grounds of Saint Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery:
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[@FatherSpyridonROCOR]

Thank you for sharing this excellent video. Father Ephraim has also shared his wisdom in some excellent writing which can be obtained from Amazon and which i am glad to say I have gained much from. The world does not understand holiness and there will always be people so caught up in the lies of materialism that they feel the need to slander God's servants. Father Ephraim is a living saint and this clip will no doubt become more valuable to people when he enters heaven.

[@binklesworthington]

Father Spyridon Father, I though the Orthodox way was to not honor someone as a saint until they have reposed?

[@olgasavestheday]

Memory eternal, to our beloved Elder Ephraim reposed December 2019! Pray for us! Father Spyridon your words are true!!

[@ontologicallysteve7765]

@@binklesworthington Where did he call him a Saint? I can see why he ignored you.

[@binklesworthington]

Ontologically Stephen Father Spyridon called him “a living saint”. I am not attacking him, I was just curious because I am relatively new to Orthodoxy and always heard that saints are not canonized until after they repose. I asked Father because he is a preist-monk and thought he could help me to understand the doctrine better.

[@vincitomniaveritas8491]

@@ontologicallysteve7765 "Father Ephraim is a living saint". What's your problem?

[@Christisking1911]

Elder Ephraim please pray for us. The American’s in the Orthodox Church are so blessed that you came here to build up the Church in the new world. I believe your works will pay off greatly, as our Holy Faith is spreading to so many in this land that needs Truth.

[@alexandrabates3264]

☦️☦️☦️ I was there that day. memory eternal

[@paulk8072]

Such a beautiful man, I hope that I see him when I expire from this earth.

[@christiandavid6034]

My sincerest gratitude to all the monastics who are praying incessantly to God for the salvation of the world.

[@aelialicinia]

I love you Elder Ephraim. Love surrounds you Elder!

[@BibleWithMichael]

Homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona (Greek Audio)Now available on Spotify and Anchor podcast apps or websites. Uploaded weekly.Subscribe on iPhone or iPad with this link:anchor.fm/s/3126a0bc/ podcast/rssand 'Orthodox Christian Daily Prayer and Hours' now on iTunes, Spotify and Anchor.

[@Audleyweir11111]

May God rest his soul and may his memory be eternal.

[@Ana-eb4qz]

Memory eternal. We all love and thank you Geronda. ❤️🙏🏼

[@BibleWithMichael]

'Homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona' (Greek Audio)Now available on Spotify and Anchor podcast apps or websites. Uploaded weekly.Subscribe on iPhone or iPad with this link:anchor.fm/s/3126a0bc/ podcast/rssand 'Orthodox Christian Daily Prayer and Hours' now on iTunes, Spotify and Anchor.

[@nectaria03]

If someone could add subtitles to this, it will be so good and useful for all of us who are thirsty for this holy man words. I guess many of the nuances were lost on the way in translation.Thank you

[@Sky07.143]

This is a part of it kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6DKZGWAjMuEiJY

[@IAMRYGAR]

The guy next to him translates what he is saying

[@TheKomando007]

The best weapon against devil: The hesychastic practice of the Jesus Prayer "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner"

[@BibleWithMichael]

Homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona (Greek Audio)Now available on Spotify and Anchor podcast apps or websites. Uploaded weekly.Subscribe on iPhone or iPad with this link:anchor.fm/s/3126a0bc/ podcast/rssand 'Orthodox Christian Daily Prayer and Hours' now on iTunes, Spotify and Anchor.

[@arthurcassarty7969]

God Bless Elder Ephraim and to you Father for translating. What a Humble Wise Kind Genuine and Holy Man.

[@mitchiarikov2614]

Fr. Ephraim pray to God for us!

[@kurtjensen1790]

Thank you to Elder Ephraim!! I really need this right now, especially since I am currently in my slow process of becoming a member of the Ancient and Apostolic Church.

[@orthoglobus]

+Kurt Jensen (Quartus) May God guide your steps brother. Greetings from Greece!

[@BibleWithMichael]

'Homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona' (Greek Audio)Now available on Spotify and Anchor podcast apps or websites. Uploaded weekly.Subscribe on iPhone or iPad with this link:anchor.fm/s/3126a0bc/ podcast/rss and 'Orthodox Christian Daily Prayer and Hours' now on iTunes, Spotify and Anchor.

[@robinlevy1629]

Thank you for being active in my life, Elder Ephraim.

[@RiseUpRenovation]

Keep listening he translates to english for us! Pray for us Elder! 🙏

[@constantina520]

God rest your soul Elder Ephraim 🙏🏻♥️

[@BibleWithMichael]

'Homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona' (Greek Audio)Now available on Spotify and Anchor podcast apps or websites. Uploaded weekly.Subscribe on iPhone or iPad with this link:anchor.fm/s/3126a0bc/ podcast/rssand 'Orthodox Christian Daily Prayer and Hours' now on iTunes, Spotify and Anchor.

[@gusmitropoulos5301]

Very good advice to protect yourself from demonic influence. God Bless Elder Ephraim to guide and enhance us in God.

[@BibleWithMichael]

'Homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona' (Greek Audio)Now available on Spotify and Anchor podcast apps or websites. Uploaded weekly.Subscribe on iPhone or iPad with this link:anchor.fm/s/3126a0bc/ podcast/rssand 'Orthodox Christian Daily Prayer and Hours' now on iTunes, Spotify and Anchor.

[@theochristakos6978]

Memory Eternal God bless you Elder.

[@BibleWithMichael]

'Homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona' (Greek Audio)Now available on Spotify and Anchor podcast apps or websites. Uploaded weekly.Subscribe on iPhone or iPad with this link:anchor.fm/s/3126a0bc/ podcast/rss and 'Orthodox Christian Daily Prayer and Hours' now on iTunes, Spotify and Anchor.

[@yiayia9373]

Thank God for Elder Ephraim.

[@OrthodoxChristianTeaching]

'Homilies of Elder Ephraim' Audio Podcast Homilies Archive (in Greek) Now available to hear freely on Apple Podcasts (iTunes), Spotify, Anchor, Breaker, Overcast and Pocket Casts podcasts apps and websites. For quick PC or laptop access: open.spotify.com/show/1sznCOUc3VChQ12SvkiMmF For quick Apple Podcasts access on iPhone or iPad: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/homilies-of-elder-ephraim/id1527802258

[@WithinandThroughout]

What a blessing to see this man animated.

[@n1ch0la5p]

This is a good talk and excellent advice. The language originates in the spiritual masters of the middle ages, hence the source of confusion for a contemporary listener not familiar with this period. In all, what he is saying is wise and makes perfect sense.

[@BibleWithMichael]

'Homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona' (Greek Audio)Now available on Spotify and Anchor podcast apps or websites. Uploaded weekly.Subscribe on iPhone or iPad with this link:anchor.fm/s/3126a0bc/ podcast/rssand 'Orthodox Christian Daily Prayer and Hours' now on iTunes, Spotify and Anchor.

[@lisz6618]

Thank you for uploading this talk ❤️

[@TheFlyingman101]

God bless Elder Ephraim. My he give him health and a long life. God bless+

[@veradowns2736]

Would be great if there were subtitles in English while he’s talking.

[@mathyre232]

Thank you Holy Father! Please intercede for me to Christ that I may learn to love God and Man.

[@200519862008]

Thank you! God bless you!

[@BibleWithMichael]

'Homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona' (Greek Audio)Now available on Spotify and Anchor podcast apps or websites. Uploaded weekly.Subscribe on iPhone or iPad with this link:anchor.fm/s/3126a0bc/ podcast/rss and 'Orthodox Christian Daily Prayer and Hours' now on iTunes, Spotify and Anchor.

[@cyprianac.691]

Memory eternal ☦️

[@BibleWithMichael]

'Homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona' (Greek Audio)Now available on Spotify and Anchor podcast apps or websites. Uploaded weekly.Subscribe on iPhone or iPad with this link:anchor.fm/s/3126a0bc/ podcast/rssand 'Orthodox Christian Daily Prayer and Hours' now on iTunes, Spotify and Anchor.

[@adrianrobles3816]

desperately. looking. for. a. monesterys. I have. been a monk for 5years. with all my. vows. I have been to retreat. in. bearsville. new York. Bishop dimitrius. and he told me to be patient in finding. a monesterys. I love the. way of life. of a. Greek monk. forever. thank you for listening. there is only. 2. monesterys. in Florida. but iam in. Hartford. Connecticut keiri eleison

[@BibleWithMichael]

'Homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona' (Greek Audio)Now available on Spotify and Anchor podcast apps or websites. Uploaded weekly.Subscribe on iPhone or iPad with this link:anchor.fm/s/3126a0bc/ podcast/rss and 'Orthodox Christian Daily Prayer and Hours' now on iTunes, Spotify and Anchor.

[@johnanon9907]

Memory Eternal.

[@samersamra6419]

thank you for uploading this video! God Bless !!

[@lacieb4585]

Why did parishioners laugh? I dont comprehend. Thanks for the video!

[@manojchandy2226]

LETS LISTEN TO THIS GOD GIVEN MESSAGE TO SAVE OUR SOULS FROM THE HELL OF UNRELENTING TORMENT......

[@richardsz9099]

Saint Ephraim of Arizona.

[@BibleWithMichael]

'Homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona' (Greek Audio)Now available on Spotify and Anchor podcast apps or websites. Uploaded weekly.Subscribe on iPhone or iPad with this link:anchor.fm/s/3126a0bc/ podcast/rss and 'Orthodox Christian Daily Prayer and Hours' now on iTunes, Spotify and Anchor.

[@mathyre232]

That's right!

[@mircea293]

Dear George, Poor soul.......I have compassion for you !!! MAY GOD SHOW YOU HIS LIGHT ! AMEN ! Mircea

[@imtv]

I'm a Roman Catholic but I know how to recognize words of wisdom! Well said Elder Ephraim!

[@valariousv7697]

I am in the Catholic Church and GOD willing as I am sure he does through HIS Grace am going to remain, I am bi-ritual Byzantine / Roman. Peter is the Rock and the Pope is in his seat. You would do better to read St. Augustine. As true as most of this is, there is more material on Catholic Warrior.com. What I mean is this is nothing new, but a good reminder for those who need it. Praise the Lord Jesus Christ. God bless.

[@valariousv7697]

I will stick to referring to it as Byzantine Catholic, Catholic Byzantine, Byzantine Universal, Universal Byzantine, Byzantine in the Church of Jesus Christ; but thanks. God bless.

[@valariousv7697]

***** I Guess you should work on leaving the illusion. God bless.

[@valariousv7697]

***** I am not looking to collect tolls from under bridges, but do understand that there is only one Church Christ Instituted and founded on Peter. That Church is Catholic and the Seat of Peter is the Seat of Peter. Orthodoxy may have been the closest thing to the Way (even though it is not truly orthodox) there was, until recently, but it is still not the One Fold. So, you say "troll", and I say baptized Byzantine in the Church of Jesus Christ. Congratulations you can more or less repeat what I said to you about you. Praise the Lord Jesus Christ. Hail Mary full of Grace. God bless.

[@imtv]

+Valarious V Did you rad what I wrote "I'm a Roman Catholic but I know how to recognize words of wisdom! Well said Elder Ephraim!" it was a compliment, a recognition that truth has no human obstacle in it's way....I'm a Roman Catholic from a long, long line of Roman Catholics, I have Italian roots and my whole family follow our tradition. When I follow the special masses transmitted from Rome I'm always happy to see that our brother from Catholic Orthodox are always present and full of hope to see the Catholics united again, maybe not as Romans nor Orthodox but just as Catholics as we are...

[@trueflock1536]

Fascinating

[@BibleWithMichael]

'Homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona' (Greek Audio)Now available on Spotify and Anchor podcast apps or websites. Uploaded weekly.Subscribe on iPhone or iPad with this link:anchor.fm/s/3126a0bc/ podcast/rss and 'Orthodox Christian Daily Prayer and Hours' now on iTunes, Spotify and Anchor.

[@BibleWithMichael]

'Homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona' (Greek Audio)Now available on Spotify and Anchor podcast apps or websites. Uploaded weekly.Subscribe on iPhone or iPad with this link:anchor.fm/s/3126a0bc/ podcast/rss and 'Orthodox Christian Daily Prayer and Hours' now on iTunes, Spotify and Anchor.

[@violettaioannou8183]

@@BibleWithMichael o Théos inai agapie ke y agapie theos, o pios exi agapie yia ton Théo Eki katikie o theos, afta d'en xexorisoune, makria apwtin kakia ke ta ponira ergas tw ponirou ppou exi xiliades xronia pira!! Doxa tw Théo,doxa ton Théo pou imaste ortodoxie,efxomai olon tw kosmo n'a gnorissi tin alithinie thriskia mono Apw tin ortodoxia vienoune ayies,allelouia,allelouia doxasi

[@mircea293]

MAY GOD GIVE HEALTH AND LONG LIFE TO ELDER EPHRAIM TO GUIDE US IN THIS WORLD ! AMEN ! Mircea

[@TheTimothyjtaylor]

A pirate victory, 322, the devil's victory, he's going down and wants to take as many with him as possible. Thank you Elder Ephraim.

[@paraskevoula1]

Πόσο δίκιο έχει ο παππούλης . Πραγματικά κάνει 'ανατομία' της τακτικής του πονηρού.

[@BibleWithMichael]

'Homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona' (Greek Audio)Now available on Spotify and Anchor podcast apps or websites. Uploaded weekly.Subscribe on iPhone or iPad with this link:anchor.fm/s/3126a0bc/ podcast/rss and 'Orthodox Christian Daily Prayer and Hours' now on iTunes, Spotify and Anchor.

[@Worick_]

Thats awesome man

[@BibleWithMichael]

'Homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona' (Greek Audio)Now available on Spotify and Anchor podcast apps or websites. Uploaded weekly.Subscribe on iPhone or iPad with this link:anchor.fm/s/3126a0bc/ podcast/rss and 'Orthodox Christian Daily Prayer and Hours' now on iTunes, Spotify and Anchor.

[@mariahadjiangeli3129]

Pray 4 me father

[@BibleWithMichael]

'Homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona' (Greek Audio)Now available on Spotify and Anchor podcast apps or websites. Uploaded weekly.Subscribe on iPhone or iPad with this link:anchor.fm/s/3126a0bc/ podcast/rss and 'Orthodox Christian Daily Prayer and Hours' now on iTunes, Spotify and Anchor.

[@user-dw8rv9mi3l]

If someone could translate this for a brother who speaks only English would be a major blessing Anyone else who only speaks English there is clips of this in the English on the channel ' Orthodox teaching of the elders on KZbin

[@IN-pr3lw]

The man translated for him

[@jacob6088]

@@IN-pr3lwwho?

[@IN-pr3lw]

@jacob6088 In the second half of the video its a translation of what he said in the first

[@jacob6088]

@@IN-pr3lw thanks

[@MrPispirigos]

AMEN!

[@BibleWithMichael]

'Homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona' (Greek Audio)Now available on Spotify and Anchor podcast apps or websites. Uploaded weekly.Subscribe on iPhone or iPad with this link:anchor.fm/s/3126a0bc/ podcast/rss and 'Orthodox Christian Daily Prayer and Hours' now on iTunes, Spotify and Anchor.

[@lanatormas7736]

❤️

[@Uriel.47AC]

I wish i could understand what he's saying

[@vlnjnkie]

someone pls post translation! Memory Eternal Blessed Elder Ephraim

[@michaelxo4436]

❤❤❤

[@laluminariadeldesiertoiobe3773]

Me gustaría se traduzca al Castellano, Español Bendiciones

[@sisterskateboarders_9358]

It would be awesome if someone could translate this to english!!

[@CorfuGainz]

Liv Zaf are you interested in Greek Orthodoxy?

[@galaxyrider9599]

sisterskateboarders _ There's a translator beside him! He makes notes (stenogrphic probably) and translates then what Elder Ephraim is saying.

[@BibleWithMichael]

'Homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona' (Greek Audio)Now available on Spotify and Anchor podcast apps or websites. Uploaded weekly.Subscribe on iPhone or iPad with this link:anchor.fm/s/3126a0bc/ podcast/rss and 'Orthodox Christian Daily Prayer and Hours' now on iTunes, Spotify and Anchor.

[@anatol1204]

The video is very good but we can t see the face of the second man that was a mistake

[@BibleWithMichael]

'Homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona' (Greek Audio)Now available on Spotify and Anchor podcast apps or websites. Uploaded weekly.Subscribe on iPhone or iPad with this link:anchor.fm/s/3126a0bc/ podcast/rss and 'Orthodox Christian Daily Prayer and Hours' now on iTunes, Spotify and Anchor.

[@nukonin]

In our occidental-exile, people throwing this word around recklessly works more havoc on the struggle to maintain genuine Orthodox phronema than even an army of starry-eyed ecumenists ever could.

[@benedictamariaadvocata1304]

Why a english title when he is not speaking english?

[@gioyahoo1317]

he lives in USA with spiritual life in desert and with several fathers created monastery.after death orthodox church will consider as saint and we will pray with name of him to represent us to LORD,becasue he was living with saint life we no .

[@galaxyrider9599]

There's a translator beside him! He makes notes (stenogrphic probably) and translates then what Elder Ephraim is saying.

[@BibleWithMichael]

'Homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona' (Greek Audio)Now available on Spotify and Anchor podcast apps or websites. Uploaded weekly.Subscribe on iPhone or iPad with this link:anchor.fm/s/3126a0bc/ podcast/rss and 'Orthodox Christian Daily Prayer and Hours' (English) now on iTunes, Spotify and Anchor.

[@paraskevoula1]

You are very lucky

[@BibleWithMichael]

'Homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona' (Greek Audio)Now available on Spotify and Anchor podcast apps or websites. Uploaded weekly.Subscribe on iPhone or iPad with this link:anchor.fm/s/3126a0bc/ podcast/rss and 'Orthodox Christian Daily Prayer and Hours' now on iTunes, Spotify and Anchor.

[@heidivernathorbjornsen475]

I wish it was in English.

[@26thanasis]

there is a translator in English later on!

[@galaxyrider9599]

Heidi Verna Thorbjørnsen There's a translator beside him! He makes notes (stenogrphic probably) and translates then what Elder Ephraim is saying.

[@BibleWithMichael]

'Homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona' (Greek Audio)Now available on Spotify and Anchor podcast apps or websites. Uploaded weekly.Subscribe on iPhone or iPad with this link:anchor.fm/s/3126a0bc/ podcast/rss and 'Orthodox Christian Daily Prayer and Hours' (English) now on iTunes, Spotify and Anchor.

[@amg2598]

What's going on with his mannerisms in the first few minutes? Is this a medical condition?

[@skyearthsoul]

Watch other videos of him - he’s always doing weird stuff, honestly I find him to be so freaking creepy - I might be wrong, but something about him just simply doesn’t seem right - and the fact a lot of people more or less worship him is also weird - my two cents anyway

[@amg2598]

@@skyearthsoul I will check out other videos. I have never encountered him until now. Yes, he does appear to have a cult-like following, people who get angry at any kind of critical discussion about him, which is part of the process of someone becoming canonized-- the people need to be free to discuss these things.

[@IN-pr3lw]

​@amg2598 It's because you only hear these things on the internet. 99% people who've met him in real life testify this man is a very holy and loving man who radiates only love

[@Nina-ik4xd]

He acts like a child. How is this weird? Living saintly will make you make different compared to this world mannerisms.

[@IN-pr3lw]

@@Nina-ik4xd Yep, God calls us to be like children to him

[@bosspetrozoom]

He has died.

[@emmetzet]

you're mistaken

[@SunshineCarpetCleaningAZ]

Я Яевич no he is still alive. I just met him last weekend.

[@christosrizos5739]

Geronda mas presvepsete iper imon

[@BibleWithMichael]

'Homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona' (Greek Audio)Now available on Spotify and Anchor podcast apps or websites. Uploaded weekly.Subscribe on iPhone or iPad with this link:anchor.fm/s/3126a0bc/ podcast/rss and 'Orthodox Christian Daily Prayer and Hours' now on iTunes, Spotify and Anchor.

[@TruthBeTold7]

Where's the evidence for the claim? Just because you assert something, does not mean it is true.

[@nickk5186]

ALL HAIL POPE EPHRAIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@katrinaa3607]

Haha. Exactly

[@abwire6283]

this American priest talks too much and is making Father Ephraim uneasy.

[@TruthBeTold7]

He's in prelest.

[@barthill9578]

Who is jesus? the name of the savior is not jesus.

[@lessthandust]

+bart hill And: Who are you? :]

[@beyondonethousand]

bart hill And what is the name of the Saviour then?

[@nocorruptreligion]

The Chicago GOA diocese just loves Elder Ephraim. They deeply appreciate his influence on the parishes. If the elder's goal is to see renewal and revival come to the GOA the opposite is taking place in the Chicago diocese by the elders influences. The evidence is undeniable unless you have been cult thought reformed to believe otherwise. Jesus was not the first monastic elder and the Apostles were not the first monastic novices. Christ and the Apostles did not live their lives out in a tree, on a rock, in a cave or in an isolated desert compounds or on cliffs. There is absolutely no Gospels or NT basis for monasticism. None = Zero and Zero = None. There is no Biblical spiritual gift or calling to be a monastic. It is a fabrication of man turned into a tradition of men that distorts Biblical context and takes it to an extreme to by religious works, performance and legalism to justify itself. The Greek church in America is a top down centralized authoritarian and dictatorial hierarchical power and control structure that is systemically corrupt and with a cult monasticism in the jurisdiction in America. It is clear why cult monasticism would be allowed in a systemically corrupt church, both are corrupt and therefore are compatible with each other. This church is experiencing a dramatic loss of x'er's, millennial's and their children and it cannot attract and retain those same generations not Orthodox. In other words, neither the elder or the hierarchy can save this church from demographic implosion in the next 15 years. This church is really only relevant to its self centered Greek self. I noticed the language the elder used, Greek. The GOA came to America based upon a foundation of ethnocentric, marriage, birth and immigration. That is an exclusive and closed system of church whose foundation in America has now collapsed and because it was not established upon a true Biblical foundation of inclusiveness, the Gospels, the NT and evangelism. Neither the elder, his monastics or his monasteries are going to be able to fix those problems imploding this church down on its collapsed wrong foundation. In 15 years this church will be a small fraction of its size today in America, as much as 75% reduced. In 25 years it will be a Greek culture museum of church death standing as a warning example of what causes a church to implode, go into a death spiral and then die. Oh, yes, the Greek church will still be in America, but what it will be is obvious unless you are in denial. It will not be the anti Christ or the forces outside the monasteries that bring the Greek church down in America. It will be the Greeks themselves. You got to have numerical numbers in enough numbers to keep the support level up for the so called fort monasteries and a going empty church will not do that. Authoritarianism, foreign patriarch rule, cult monasticism, obedience without question, systemic church corruption and a ethnocentric isolated and closed church are not relevant to x'ers, millennial's and their children. You can disagree and that is equivalent to disagreeing that the GOA is dying in America. Those generations sure don't want monastic's telling those who are married to live as brother and sister and only have sex for procreation reasons. We call that cult mind control and sexual corruption in the rational real world Christianity not gone systemically corrupt and cultic. It's a Christianity not subjectively closed and isolated off in a monastic compound that has no Biblical basis, but is one that actually lives itself out other centered in the real world like inclusive and open system Christ and the Apostles did. You know, an alive, dynamic and growing Christianity that is not religion tradition dead and because of that and other factors can't make itself relevant to the society it has established itself in. What, you have not imagined what the GOA will be like in 15 to 25 years due to the props that once held it up now collapsed and with no real Biblical props to stand it back up with? What, it will stand back up if you all in unison say three times real loud, 'We are the Orthodox!!!' or by repeating the Jesus prayer or by making sure you are doing the sign of the cross Orthodox spiritually correct? (Its a long list of Orthodox correct things to do to prop this church back up on its feet, right? If the GOA just followed the elder it would all turn around, right?) Humbty Dumpty GOA had a great fall and none of the patriarchs, archbishops, metropolitan's, bishops, priests, elders or monastics all together could not put it back together again.

[@shayneswenson]

Ashley Nevins You continue to malign the Orthodox Church and our saints as a way to alleviate the pain you feel due to Scott's suicide yet the catharsis you desperately seek in slander, will only serve as burning coals that you heap upon your head. May God have mercy on you, as you are wrapped up in a profound delusion.

[@markruffalo597]

I'm truly sorry about what happened to Scott. While I don't wish to speak evil of him, the fact remains that he wasn't being held hostage at that Monastery by anyone. He was always free to leave in peace at any time. His fate was ultimately sealed by his own tragic decision. The kind of rigorous discipline that goes on at a monastery bears no similarity to the mental abuse that is associated with sectarian cults, anymore than the kind one would experience at a typical military boot camp. Spiritual life is a kind of war (against the passions of one's fallen human nature), and the discipline of monastic life is meant to harden the monk in preparation for the many battles he will face. The process this entails may not seem agreeable to an outsider but that is only a reflection of their ignorance, not anything inherently untoward or baleful in the undertaking itslef. Monastic life is not meant to be amenable to the ways of the world, it is a special kind of calling with a special purpose of achieving holiness. Often when awful tragedies take place, people struggle in their excruciating pain to find a scapegoat, someone to take the blame. In the ensuing confusion, anger can many times end up misdirected, the innocent made to bear the brunt of a responsibility which can only ever truly rest with each one of us. With that said, I think you are way off base in your analysis. What is "relevant" to the majority of American gen x'ers and millennials and their children, raised on a toxic spiritual diet of narcissism and materialistic secularism and bereft of even a semblance of a real education or moral formation, is utterly immaterial to the question of Truth. The Orthodox Church is the historic apostolic Church of Jesus Christ that has come down to us from the ages, unmarred by the taint of heresy and corruption, which offers the salvation of the God-Man Jesus Christ freely to all who seek it. It is up to man if he wishes to cooperate with God in his Church to seek the salvation of his soul. Christ says in the gospel that within the Church there will be wheat and tares, which for a time will coexist together, but will be sifted out in the final coming of the Kingdom. The insularity of certain ethnic Orthodox whose participation in the Church derives primarily from a desire to maintain a particular cultural identity or from rote tradition, does not vitiate the truth of Holy Orthodoxy anymore than the the presence of unmindful students who merely go through the motions of being students without really learning anything substantial or aspiring to education or wisdom, discredits ipso facto the value of institutions of higher learning. If a patient refuses to take advice on how to heal his condition from a doctor and actively put it into practice or, even worse, refused to even admit that he is sick and instead sees his doctor regular merely to pass time or to chat about sports or the weather, it is not logical to conclude that, ergo, all of medicine is "irrelevant" and thus "useless". Rather, we look to the responsibility of each individual to do his necessary part. This is the basic requirement of human cooperation or "synergia", and it is as critical in Orthodoxy as it is in any purely human endeavor. At some point, you need to realize that we are all ultimately responsible to God for our individual lives. He gives us freedom to choose, and what we do with that choice rests with us. Again, I'm very sorry for your loss. But attacking and defaming Christ's One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, the Orthodox Church, out of anger and sadness and in a spirit of vengefulness only serves to compound, rather than alleviate, the tragedy of this loss.