Part 1: Obedience According to God's Will- Interview with Fr. Arsenios Vliagoftis

In this first part of our new three-part discussion (1/3) with Fr. Arsenios, which took place on October, 18th, 2021, we discuss that obedience which is blessed and according to God's will.
Fr. Arsenios Vliagoftis was born in Kozani in 1956. He is a graduate of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Philosophy and Theology. and Doctor of Theology. Since 1987 he has been living in the Holy Monastery of Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia Vatopedi, Halkidiki. In 1991 he was appointed delegate of the Holy Diocese of Kassandreia for matters of heresy and has taken part in all the annual Pan-Orthodox Conferences for the struggle against heresies, many times as a speaker. He is vice-president of the Spiritual Council of the "Panhellenic Union of Parents" founded by the blessed Fr. Antonios Alevizopoulos to deal with heresies. He is also the president of the Spiritual Council of the respective Association in Northern Greece with the title "Parents' Initiative of Northern Greece". He is a Consultant for the publication of the magazine "Parakatakhetiki", which aims at preserving and promoting our Greek Orthodox tradition.
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[@orthodoxboomergrandma3561]

Oh wow! I used to describe my first 5-7 years after baptism into Holy Orthodoxy as being filled with spiritual “candy.” Constant feelings of compunction and tears in prayer, sweet consolations in prayer, many obviously Providential occurrences in life, etc. Recently, since we finished building the Center which we pray will be used by God to spread Orthodoxy and strengthen the brethren, I’ve stopped feeling sweetness as often and I feel under a barrage of negative thoughts that I ask Christ to battle against cos I know they are from the enemy. I thank God that my spiritual mourning has only increased and I’m beginning to get a greater desire to avoid all sin! It’s not candy anymore but I cling to Christ and follow the Fathers!

[@1bonatsos]

So beautifully in your introspection of our struggle to live the Grace of our Lord everyday. God Bless you in your journey ☦️

[@st.michaelthearchangel7774]

@Orthodox Boomer Grandma Your relationship with God has passed from the honeymoon stage to now a deeper relationship with God. I recommend turning to the Blessed Mother for help, she is absolutely needed in this battle we face against the filthy demons.

[@orthodoxboomergrandma3561]

@@st.michaelthearchangel7774 I am starting too. Trying to do the Akathist more often!

[@OrthoAutist]

It's an incredibly common feeling once you come off that wave of euphoria once that stops the real Spiritual Struggling begins.

[@Orthodoxfox]

Thank you, Fr. Peter, for making this available to us in English.

[@orthodoxboomergrandma3561]

Anyone who has spent time in a cult, particularly a cult of personality or a “guru” cult like I was in for more than a decade, would do well to listen to this and get into “healthy obedience” in Christ!

[@marieegypt7091]

Yes! His explanation of obedience is excellent. It really clarifies the spiritual abuse of a Catholic monastic community I was a member of...their obedience was manipulation and abuse...therefore it wasn't obedience...it was all about control.

[@veronicazacon5929]

Exactly! I am so happy and feel so grateful to the Holy Spirit for inspiring the creators of these videos.

[@pauldarispd]

Thank you Fr. Arsenios thank you Fr. Peter Grateful for all that you share with us listening in Australia. Truly a blessing.

[@rodangus4489]

Simply marvellous. Our struggle to remain faithful within our Churches bedazzled and bewitched by covidism.

[@st.michaelthearchangel7774]

Such a tragedy how the Church has given in to the scamdemic (at least a good amount of bishops in the United States), closing churches and forcing people to wear the mask, otherwise they cannot receive Jesus in the Eucharist at Mass. It's evil!

[@artdanks4846]

Wow! What you said about the Blessed Elder Ephraim of Arizona (29:12) and how his entire being (i.e. face, stance, conduct, etc) radiated holiness, was exactly what I experienced with him when I met him in 2004, which was my one and only time. I was newly converted to Orthodoxy, about 6 months previous. Right before or after the evening meal he was outside the trapeza, and people were crowded around him, as we were asking for his blessing. When I received his blessing, after kissing his hand he grasped tighter on my hands so I could not pull them away, and stared right into my eyes with the most amazing stare I've ever experienced from another human being! I could "feel" the warmth and love coming from His eyes, directly into my own eyes and penetrating thru them to my heart and soul!! It was like he could see right into me! And the expression on his face was one of love that was beyond description! The stare lasted only about 1 or 2 seconds at the most, but at the same time it felt like that 1 second was a blessed eternity! I will NEVER forget that experience, I was do greatly blessed!!

[@OrthodoxChristianWife]

“When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven. . . . he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe . . .” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10). @artdanks4846 you are truly blessed

[@nonacarey4420]

Thank you so much for the English translation and the topics that touched on the western mindset intermingled with Orthodoxy. As an American convert to Orthodoxy (of 28+ years now:), I am so thankful to God that He led us to one of the monasteries that Elder Ephraim established in our country, and a spiritual father that has truly guided us in the Orthodox phronema. Orthodox Christians in American often don't even see the dilemma that can occur when our western mindset encounters the Orthodox faith. Thank you for bridging the gap and asking questions that we often don't even know how to ask. Good Struggle ☦️(Nona:)

[@artdanks4846]

Nona Carey....What a blessing this was for you!! To have that kind of guidance from a true spiritual father is such a true blessing!

[@rhiannonhill449]

Thank you for the content. Newly baptised in Australia. God Bless

[@ivygarcia9525]

Wow thanks a million Father Peter, this is such a treasure! I plan to revisit this video again several times so it sinks in. May our good God be with you always! 🙏☦️🇺🇸

[@michaelashurdekelaita4128]

Amazing interview. Very refreshing to hear engagement with the world/evangelism/missionary work, emphasis on experience with Christ over theoretical pursuits/scholasticism, and the necessity of the free will and Love guiding our obedience to God and man and the Law being Written on our Heart ie the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, being upheld and highlighted among the monastic movement today. Thank you for always bringing us these honored and pious fathers to share their wisdom with us and for using the platform God has blessed you with to give voice to these hidden treasures.

[@adambenedict6155]

Father, Bless. I join the chorus of “ Thank You’s” for posting this . I was received into the Orthodox Church just this past Feast of the Nativity. Listening to this and other presentations you have posted while commuting to work has added to my first Lenten journey. - Adam ( Benedict)

[@OrthodoxEthos]

Glory be to God!

[@cop77407]

Good morning Father. Thank you for bringing the aesthetic monks closer for us to experience their great wisdom. You have been instrumental in helping us through these difficult days. Memory eternal +Presby Mom.🙏☦️

[@giadelon]

Thank you so much! We couldn’t understand the greek videos of ft.Arsenios on KZbin; its nice to listen to him translated to English ❤️‍🔥🙏🏼 ☺️

[@szudy76]

Thank you for this interview Fr. Peter. God Bless

[@Orthodoxi]

I have found that in being obedient to God the Father and the instructions of Jesus, in situations where heresy exists, in remaining obedient in the face of heresy, God reveals the hidden aspect of his Glory and this becomes a footstool to overcome or understand the situation. Which brings truth and healing. Of course I am yet quite immature in this awareness. But ever growing under God. The hardest work in the world but the only work that brings life. So it is perfect. It is no longer so much a question of obedience but life with God or death with the world which is obvious and stark. All Glory to God.

[@orthodoxboomergrandma3561]

Catharsis is still occurring but I thank God I have a real relationship with St John of SF! Two dreams with him pushed me over the edge when I was considering converting from papal Protestantism. Thank God!

[@paulpeter2869]

Excellent thank you Father! Blessed for the interviews in English!

[@mihaelacorcinschi9014]

Finally, we were looking forward to the translation of these videos! Thank you very much!

[@Orthodoxi]

The main thing for me is that I have had no Orthodox family or community after covid my baptism being shut down and then needing to leave my small parish to move to where my mom is to help her through sickness. So besides my sister in Christ from my parish, I had only Christ and God the Father after becoming a Catechumen. But for me that was the greatest most perfect blessing. I am finally with God the Father. But I yearn for a spiritual Father on earth and a spiritual community. I know God has plans for me I hope I will have these and be baptized by next Pascha. God willing.

[@roblesd1]

One thing I wish I had known becoming Orthodox, is the fact that after the first love of orthodoxy, with all of its excitement, comes a phase where things become more difficult. It is hard to pray trials and temptations come and one can almost feel abandoned by God. God has not really left, but He feels distant. Many people get alarmed and disappointed by this, and leave the Orthodox Church thinking that God is no longer with them. It feels like orthodoxy lost it's charm. In reality, this phase is the results of God pushing us a little bit to struggle, to pray when we don't feel like it, and to hold on to the Lord in faith, even when we can't see. Of course the Lord visits us from time to time and let's us feel His grace like in the beginning. But we are not babies anymore. We are expected to walk, and to learn to fight the evil one. Later in life, usually before death, we will feel our first love again, if we struggle and do not despair during the second phase.

[@OrthodoxChristianWife]

I can relate in a big way to this. I do believe not everyone experiences it quite the same. Cradle Orthodox will experience something different, surely. I also heard that some Saint's are given knowledge about their death and salvation before their repose, giving them consolation, whereas other's are very concerned for their salvation, and experience immense temptation and struggle before their repose. "A Christian ending to our lives, painless, blameless, and peaceful; and a good defense before the dread judgement seat of Christ, let us ask of the Lord." Amen

[@1bonatsos]

Much anticipated translation and beautifully done! Thank you for your gift of Grace. God Bless☦️🙏

[@savvasbournelis8401]

So many Patristic gems here! Thank you!

[@ValidityJ]

St Piasios, I genuinely feel watched over me & prayed for me when I was a catachumen. EVERY book I picked up "Elder Piasios" was in it. Every time I turned around, he popped up somewhere. When I got baptized, I didn't know a female could take a male Saint's name. My Priest gave me my name, Lydia, and I love that he saw it fit to give me her name, but Saint Piasios holds a special place in my heart. I'll never forget right before I got baptized, there was St Piasios' Icon in the Narthex! I gasped and shrieked, "Elder Piasios!!!! I mean...SAINT Piasios!!" and quickly venerated him. I just love him so much.....my heart was soooooo happy that day.

[@OrthodoxEthos]

Thank you Lydia for your wonderful note. The Saints are alive! They live in God and if we have communion with God we have communion with them. We are one family. And they love us very much. Glory be to God.

[@catherinecapita1691]

Wisdom! So edifying. Thank you Father.

[@cjwhite2631]

Thank you brothers for imparting your wisdom upon me... may the Lords blessings come to you in abundance.

[@jordanatwell29]

Wonderful conversation! I look forward to part 2.

[@Stephanie-el4sx]

This is a treasure 🙏🏽📿

[@angelikigoumenis]

Great interview Fr. Peter

[@WoodchuckNorris.8o]

21:20 this is exactly how I felt when I watched a video of Putin and his highest ranking general standing in a total downpour to observe a service for fallen soldiers. You'd never see a current western leader doing that, probably not even with an umbrella.

[@Dlee-eo5vv]

A most needed subject for me.

[@WoodchuckNorris.8o]

Thank you for dubbing the translation!!!! Much better for me than captions

[@annk.3545]

Thank you to the translator for excelling in this tricky task, and thank you to all who made this possible.

[@nepsisyianni33]

Thank you for posting on such a day.

[@orthodoxboomergrandma3561]

Been waiting for this! Thank you Father Peter!

[@johnleontakianakos4362]

Fr. Arsenios speaks of obedience and its importance in Orthodoxy. And I concur with his words. However cannot help but to ask certain questions. How is the laity in the west to be obedience to bishops that side and march with Marxist organizations, who’s primary objective is the destruction of the nuclear family? How can the laity be obedient when the church leadership gives speeches in support of one’s right to chose, over the life of a child? How is the laity supposed to be obedient when the leadership defends pharmaceutical companies’ use of fetal cell line, derived from mutilating the most innocent among us, for "science" to make drugs, so that our physical life can be extended? These positions are NOT in keeping with the teaching of the church fathers; rather, are in line with certain malevolent Globalist political positions & agendas that, at their core, are completely ANTI-Christian.

[@OrthodoxEthos]

This is a two part interview. Come back for part two when we address obedience in the context of bishops who go astray.

[@pennycocores8125]

so true

[@sophiacorpus9769]

Agree… I think this is why he is asking these questions to really have one of the holy father show us that when our leaders are leading us off a cliff we don’t necessarily have to follow them👍🏻🙏🏻☦️

[@olgathehandmaid]

As always Father, thank you so much for these videos which are so needed in these times.

[@orthodoxboomergrandma3561]

I pray our healing arts center will be a missionary work.

[@igorgrabez]

Thank you Father for this deep & meaningful interview 🛐☦️

[@specialcombatdefensivetact1784]

Excellent! Extremely helpful!

[@qweddd]

Hey I’m relatively new to orthodoxy and went to my first liturgy a couple weeeks ago and I come from a protestant background but recently through my journey into orthodoxy I keep uncovering mountains of problems in my own life with my sin that I want to overcome and have been to working towards with God but right now I got to a point where I want just not be alive, I’m exhausted and because of that more slothful, irresponsible then I’ve ever been I’m just dragging my feet at this point

[@OrthodoxEthos]

May God give you strength! God chose to give us life and we must use it well to glorify Him, to become like Him, and to share His light and love with the world. Making spiritual progress requires fortitude as the devil will not cease attacking us. The devil wants us to quit, to drop out of the race, and to abandon faith and hope. Even if we fall into sin many times in a day, each moment that we are alive we can make the decision to get back on our feet and struggle better. It is essential to have an experienced spiritual father who can provide guidance and a prayer rule, and to attend services regularly and to frequently go to Confession. The spiritual life is a battle but in the Orthodox Church we are given all of the tools we need to achieve victory in this battle for the healing and salvation of our souls. Stay strong, soldier who is dear to the Lord!

[@thomasjgrihorash5312]

Thou shall not KILL

[@dialmformowgli]

♡

[@rodikyriakou4984]

🙏🕯❗

[@vessietaylor]

🕯

[@2809thalia]

Please consider uploading the original video in greek as well !! Thanks!!

[@OrthodoxEthos]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bV62Z3agjbB_rrs

[@Orthodoxi]

How can it be so many leaders are considered leaders in the Church when it is known they do not have experience of Christ? How did this happen? When did it happen? Who of the Church is with the Father today? Are there any?

[@SD-ut2qf]

Where can we listen in Greek. Is there a Greek recording?

[@OrthodoxEthos]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bV62Z3agjbB_rrs

[@palikariatl]

A link to the original Greek, please! (For those who understand Greek) Thank you. Καλή Τεσσαρακοστή! Καλόν Αγώνα!

[@OrthodoxEthos]

See the channel under Orthodox Ethos podcast IN GREEK playlist.