"Protestant" Orthodoxy (w/ Fr. Seraphim Aldea)

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"Protestant" Orthodoxy (w/ Fr. Seraphim Aldea)
#orthodoxchurch #easternorthodox #orthodoxy #ancientfaith #christianity

[@stevenwhite-ut9nh]

I am a catechumen in the Orthodox church coming from Protestantism. I want to say thank you for this much needed observation for our edification. I needed to hear this more than anyone. I am deeply saddened at how easy it is to fall into condemning others due to pride and arrogance. May the Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless you with insight for the healing of our hearts. Christ has risen!

[@aidanoftheprairie]

A million times, yes. God bless you and your ministry of telling the truth, even when it is unpopular. 🙏

[@psyche8187]

Thank you SO much for this video. I wish more priests spoke against this cultural shift. I can’t believe the horrible things against women that I read in online “Orthodox” groups. I converted to orthodoxy from Protestantism 16 years ago. I’ve seen such a dramatic change in the converts from Protestantism in the last 5-8 years. Online “Orthodoxy” tore apart my parish a few years ago. I was drawn to Orthodoxy 17 years ago from reading the church fathers. I’m so grateful I became Orthodox before this cultural phenomenon.

[@boat1433]

Fr Seraphim, this is a much needed and important message. I agree with what you are saying. As an American, and someone who is a catechumen right now, I can understand what you are saying, but I want to let you know that the culture in the U.S has become so toxic that people are reaching for anything to comfort their broken souls. It will be very difficult for many new converts to fully embrace orthodoxy because Americans can be, unfortunately, very individualistic and that is not the Orthodox way. But, with God all things are possible. With that in mind it is my sincere prayer that the Orthodox Church in America will bring about a genuine and sincere conversion. If we will humble ourselves before God, and let the Orthodox church help us to repent on an internal level, then perhaps repentance on a national level will take place also. Amen

[@ivanmarkovic4292]

I am from Serbia. Church bless defending your fatherland and family. There is nothing wrong with this.

[@RaphaelFoshay]

Not when properly understood. But that proximity of Church to the world has to be very carefully monitored and rigorously discerned. Caesar and God, one cannot confuse the two so as to serve the one in the name of the other.

[@ivanmarkovic4292]

@RaphaelFoshay , dear father, we are not manicheans or something like that. What saint John, the Baptist says to soldiers, which go to repentance to him? "You shall abolish yourselves" or "be satisfy with your salaries and do not molest anybody"? Did our Lord command to roman centurion to abandon military service? Suddenly not.

[@RaphaelFoshay]

@@ivanmarkovic4292 Thank you, Ivan. Church and State are distinguished for a reason, so as not create confusion. Opposition arises from confusion, not from a clear understanding of the goals and values proper to each domain.

[@arnoldvezbon6131]

@@RaphaelFoshay We give on to Cesar as long as Cesar does not demand we go against God. There is no separation of church and state in the Bible.

[@GeoffredricksontheThird-u3h]

@@arnoldvezbon6131 There most certainly is, my friend. For to create and propagate this completely heretical idea of “religious nationalism” is not something righteous at all, for it turns the state into a misconceived god of its own by making it seem God-fearing and holy, which is something that we cannot achieve with secular order. This is an egregious form of idolatry, and must be stamped out.

[@PaulVanderKlay]

Most interesting video I've seen in a while.

[@AncientFaithMinistries]

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

[@arnoldvezbon6131]

Really? Feminist propaganda is so interesting?

[@Progamer-vz8hd]

This is a topic I struggle with a lot, while I still may be a non-denominational Christian, within the last 3-4 months I’ve found Orthodoxy through this site. Through this discovery I’ve started to look deeper into my own faith and myself to have found grime and soot covering my body, realizing I’m not as clean as I thought I was. One of my main fears that keeps me from converting is that I have a fictionalized version of Orthodoxy that appeals to me in my mind, because of that it makes me scared that I won’t last long within the Church and leaving to never return. I just want to find the Lord and follow him.

[@cerafima1]

You will eat and drink as a babe...you will grow in faith as you learn to walk with Christ. Much love

[@AJK1DD]

@Progamer-vz8hd What you said rings very true for me as well. I considered myself an Eastern (Greek) Orthodox Christian my whole life, but it's only through the School of (Orthodox) Theology and my brothers and sisters in Christ there that I slowly but surely embraced the faith more and more. In October I turned to God for the first time in a long time and asked for guidance. I found a lot of videos on yt and received more guidance from my brothers and sisters in the School of Theology. Two weeks ago I confessed to my Spiritual Father and I'm grateful to Jesus our Lord that I'm very very very slowly making tiny baby steps towards the full truth and of Orthodoxy and the Orthodox way of life. Let me tell you, it's just like Fr. Seraphim said: Not death to the world, but dead to the world. It might look and sound scary, but it's true freedom. It's a shame I'm still attached to the world though. I believe you'll fall in love with it, because it's Christ's true Church and only through it can you truly feel the fullness of His Everlasting and Unfailing Love, so don't stop looking into it, keep at it! In the words of our dear Fr. Seraphim, "May God Bless you to the Core of your being! Be Blessed! Amen, Amen, Amen!" 🙏❤️

[@Skipsul]

If you can find a healthy parish and slowly (don't rush it) settle into its rhythms of feasting and fasting, confession and repentance, loving and being loved by your fellow parishioners (all of which takes time), the fictionalized view of Orthodoxy gradually gets rubbed off. After all, you're there with other humans also struggling and imperfect. It's a slow journey, but going through things like Lent and Holy Week together, weddings and funerals, re-learning what it means to pray, to suffer, and to celebrate together, all this helps. For me it was my first Lenten journey, and especially the rigors of Holy Week, that brought me face to face with Christ. Above all, it's important to learn to live with yourself, and when you sin (and we all do), confess, dust yourself off, and get back in the rhythm.

[@MrAwak3]

Find an Orthodox Church that’s in your vernacular. Go there with an open mind and open heart. I don’t know the type of church you attended but I’d suggest humbly admitting you don’t know anything except the Bible is the word of God and Jesus Christ is our only source of salvation. I found comfort in knowing this is the True Church founded by Jesus Christ and the Eucharist is real here. Everything else will fall in line.

[@GreySawyer]

Father Seraphim, as a woman who has grown up Protestant and has been exploring the Orthodox Christian faith over the last year or so, I can't tell you how much I appreciate this video. Thank you for setting the record straight, and clearing up some of these harmful misunderstandings. God bless you, sir 🙏

[@holasona]

Every time I hear your joyous “Hello” I get goosebumps. Thank you for inspiring us!

[@steffis9969]

Hi sona, me too😅

[@charlesiragui2473]

In the 9th century a Byzantine emperor inquired of the ecclesiastical authorities in Constantinople whether it wouldn’t be possible to promise soldiers that dying in battle would lead immediately to heaven. He had seen the zeal this seemed to inspire in Muslims. No, they told him, no, when the armies come home they must continue to receive absolution for the sinful act of war. Repentance and turning to Christ is salvation.

[@Roman_Kraut]

Do you happen to remember where you came across this? I would like to look more into it

[@charlesiragui2473]

@ Sorry I saw this in a Byzantine history video but forget which one.

[@joshf2218]

@@charlesiragui2473 War is always bad but to say that defending your countries borders is murder and blasphemy is entirely false and canonically rejected by the Church

[@charlesiragui2473]

@ Murder and blasphemy? The tradition was to offer absolution to the returning army. War was necessary but evil. Killing was objectively evil.

[@rigavitch]

@@joshf2218 THIS whole video is bordering on blasphemy. Makes my skin crawl! LORD HAVE MERCY ! ☦☦☦

[@PatronSaintSpyridon]

As a recent convert who was baptized I agree with this statement. This is a big part of why it’s so important to be catechized into the church properly and by a Priest who’s faith is in Christ and his love for us all. I have feared a lot of what was said in myself and in others as I have witnessed heretical mindsets that went on uncorrected. Some even left the church believing we were about demoralizing women when there was no such thing of it other than the men and women choosing to stand separately.

[@pharobron]

Thank you for sharing this. Very important message. May Christ have mercy on us and save us.

[@esthercollins4215]

As an American looking toward Orthodox. I have an Apostolic Holiness background. Women always were respected for their position that Christ had blessed them with. Women love living as the Bible leads. If you know what terrible things women have suffered under feminism here in America you would understand the desire for this “Trad” thinking. Families are destroyed, women are destroyed, please have mercy on those that are trying to find a way out of this Satanic influence. They are seeing hope and health and healing through the Lord. Repentance. As far as guns, it is a constitutional right that Americans are born with, it has to do with not so much in “killing” but as in protecting. The right to self defend. Even if a person possesses that right, and has the means to protect themselves doesn’t mean they will. Or they chose to, but most will protect their family or neighbor. Jesus died for the world, Protestants and Americans. I know godly Protestants that go into dangerous places jails and prisons to tell inmates about Jesus. Brave black Christian’s on the streets of Chicago protecting their neighbors against violent thugs. In my younger days on the streets handing out tracts to homeless and bikers, accompanying a beautiful older black sister as she visited the poor in hospitals. I am thrilled Orthodox is on the horizon in my vision and I pray for mercy for our country to see.

[@sharonwalters6135]

I praise God for my protestant background because being a farm girl I went to a protestant Lutheran church and I heard for the first time that Jesus loved me and I sang onward Christian soldiers. Without that Lutheran background, I would never be able to find God.

[@AsDeer4WaterBrooks]

Sometimes an exhortation is necessary. Just because a message is hard or brings out defensiveness doesn't mean it's not needed. I'm grateful Ancient Faith posted this.

[@joshf2218]

@@AsDeer4WaterBrooks it’s objectively wrong.

[@TheMOV13]

I'm afraid there are large chunks of it that are very puzzling and misleading and parts that are simply incorrect. A follow up video is urgently required.

[@arnoldvezbon6131]

@ It is literally filled with contradictions and very worldly opinions.

[@selemonkahasu1189]

Absolutely true 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@Anthony-cz2fe]

Thank God for holy monks who brought Orthodox Christian faith from Russia and Slavic & Middle Eastern nations to America hundreds of years ago. I have been blessed to meet hundreds of visitors coming to various Orthodox parishes. Humbled to lead them to embrace the humble call of The Saints and to encourage them to embrace hesychasm. I don't recall ever even meeting one who believed Orthodoxy taught the to dominate the woman as a lower class person. Puzzled by this monk's passion filled emotional presentation against a non-existing enemy! Horrible how much hatred and bias he shows against so many others? I understand now why my spiritual father, Orthodox writer from Syria, reminds monks and Bishops to not fall for passions of political Orthodoxy and to abide in Holy monasteries, repenting while opening their doors to those seeking to know God. Thank God He leads some of our Holy Saints to be monastic and others to be Kings and Queens. Queen Tamara of Georgia fighting back against the muslim invaders, but then showing them so much mercy that many muslim cities asked to become Orthodox Christians, is an example of carrying the sword to defend against evil, while remaining aligned with Holy Orthodoxy. Our LORD granting a holy vision to Saint Constantine to 'conquer by this sign' of the Holy Orthodox Cross, is a great reminder that while some are called to pacifism, other Saints are called to become police officers with guns protecting our daughters from rapist muslim gangs or illegal central American gangs torturing our people in United States and Europe. Thank God for our Arabic and Russian Priests who carry guns to protect the innocent and teach us to conceal carry in defense of innocent brothers & sisters, if needed. humbly in Christ

[@leolazaris1010]

Hello Dear Fr Seraphim, as to the new American converts bringing with them their protestant culture, how can it be otherwise? Orthodoxy in North America is still in its infancy. It is not Europe or the middle east with its 1,000 year Orthodox history. Monasticism here is only about 25 years old in reality. Before that we had Orthodoxy with no real monastic culture. If you take monasteries out of Orthodoxy you get protestantism with a Liturgy. Please be gentle. We are still learning to be Orthodox.

[@RaphaelFoshay]

Your point is fairly made, and so is Fr Seraphim's, as you acknowledge, but it is vital that no outright distortions (similar to the one's he identifies) be allowed to skew NA Orthodoxy so as to make it impossible for the truth of Orthodoxy to be the clear goal of its development in the West. We must have the courage and clarity to press on toward the authenticity of Orthodox life and practice. And that necessitates periodic open declarations regarding wrong views and overly relaxed attitudes and practices. No one can doubt Fr Seraphim's knowledge or his love for the Church and its people. Harsh warnings are necessary when wrong views are left uncorrected, but rather permitted to persist and gain credence.

[@HomoEucharistica]

Fr Seraphim is not talking to American Orthodox parishes and converts alone. There are many new converts to Orthodoxy in countries where Orthodoxy has been present for centuries as well, even if as marginalized community, so this is a global issue.... When it comes to monasteries, I don't think they are THAT necessary to shape the Orthodox phronema in people's mind. Every Christian is meant to become an ascetic - monks and nuns are merely the professional ones on that field.

[@mrsmarple2655]

2000 years! ❤

[@mrsmarple2655]

In the old beloved Russia there were times when monasteries hardly existed. Yet, the Orthodoxy existed and still exist. Please be careful and be humble, and listen what exactly Fr Seraphim is saying. Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on us sinners 🙏❤️🕊️

[@SteelMaceNationPodcast]

He couldn't have been more gentle. As a convert catechumen I needed to hear this.

[@GeoffredricksontheThird-u3h]

As someone who has diligently watched Father Aldea for a long time, I wanted to respond to many of the accusatory comments that I have seen down here. First things first, Father Aldea is not condemning the layman convert in America. However, as an American myself, I can say that I have seen what these ideals that when taken to an extreme can do to people, especially those who have put their faith in such an ideology instead of God. For, no matter what some secular ideologies say, none of them truly support honest belief in Christ. Though they may be based in noble virtues, these ideals, whether ‘conservative’ or ‘liberal’, can easily fill someone with hate and delusion, and lead them to build a god of their own in their hearts, a false god, an idol of this world. This is anathema to Holy Orthodoxy, and precisely what Father Aldea warned us of. Thus, he is condemning the misbegotten ideology, not the dear people. Next; when it comes to Father’s mention about cultural tradition, particularly of genders, I will say this; the Theotokos is renowned and exalted first and foremost for her obedience to God, not a husband. That is why she is known as the God-Bearer. This is not a criticism of wives and mothers, but if anything something which should make them more blessed, as all women have an example of utmost righteousness and dignity in piety and the following of God’s Will. I am still learning, but if you have questions, feel free to ask me, brothers and sisters. God bless you. Christ is in our midst!

[@arnoldvezbon6131]

God tells women to obey their husbands...

[@GeoffredricksontheThird-u3h]

@ I will say it again; insofar as obedience to their husband is aligned with God’s Will. I do not intend to know His Will, but I am certain that God would not make a woman subservient to an abusive husband. And the traditionalism that Father Aldea is condemning is precisely the extreme that would support such mindless and authoritarian subservience of one gender to another. It is a choice everyone must make depending on who they are, where they are, and why they are there.

[@Aa924-f9f]

He is my world☦

[@craeddock]

God bless you, friend. May God grant you many years with us.

[@arnoldvezbon6131]

Lord protect us from wolves in sheep's clothing.

[@anakronistik6865]

So what does this Father make of the military saints? What of St. Stephen the Great of Romania, who defended his Christian land against invading Ottoman Turks?

[@GM-j7c]

I attend an Eastern Orthodox church in Virginia. Recently I was dismayed when it was announced by email that a fellow member wanted to assist parishoners who desired a conceal-carry permit to carry a gun, even in church. I protested this-but then I had to reconsider my position when confronted with all the shootings everywhere in America, even in churches. I own no weapons but a lot of people seem to be packing heat these days!

[@MatthewWithTwoTs]

@@GM-j7c when you're between a rock and a hard place. That's what it feels like.

[@MatthewWithTwoTs]

For a quick Google search to see the prevalence of gun violence at Church. It's such an astronomically low number here in the States as to not warrant attention. But, the news and cellphones make such occurrences more prevalent in the minds of people. Perhaps, it is as Fr. Seraphim says, and we need to trust God more than our guns. Perhaps, it is the fact that we think in terms of our own well being that there are the problems we see in this world instead of thinking of the well being of others. Blah. Who knows.

[@realmccoy124]

Somehow, I fear your priest is missing the mark here with permitting folks to carry weaponry in the sanctuary. Yeah. I get it - the world is crazy… but what if the martyrs weren’t martyred for the faith? I mean… My understanding is we do not kill in the temple… I wonder if your bishop is agreement with this packing heat while standing in the nave notion … or is he unaware? I know in my parish in Texas - it is not permitted. Cowboy boots and Western shirts - okay. Guns - secure them outside the temple in your cars or leave them at home.

[@cyprianperkins]

Fr. Seraphim, I'm not sure that you are addressing a real problem rather than a caricature. I don't see this form of Orthodoxy that you are talking about. I don't know; there may be a few loudmouths online that are relevant to this picture.

[@itssslashhere5245]

ohh trust me there are people who are like this, who corrupt this beautiful faith to nothing more than just war and nationalism. It honestly sickens me how sometimes people justify someone's actions just because they are Orthodox.

[@tikat]

oh i've seen a lot of "chirstankie" content online. especially orthodox. go figure. fr seraphim reprimended them with a lot of grace. hope this makes a difference in their consciense.

[@gaiusvanproosdy937]

He sounds like a pacifist who hates the West. Pretty simple really.

[@campomambo]

I have seen plenty of converts come with this attitude. But it was loving and gracious people in the church who did not berate and reprimand them, but kept bringing them to Christ and the saints that caused them to change. The kind of content like this video, I have never seen help a zealous convert learn to have the mind of the church. This video seems to be preaching to the choir. A much better video addressing this idea of Christian nationalism is the one on Ancient Faith Today by Fr Thomas. He goes over the different perspectives and definitions of Christian nationalism and explains where each goes right or wrong. What he doesn’t do is just dismiss everyone who believes in it with a broad brush, saying “you aren’t orthodox.”

[@rigavitch]

Empty and hateful wasn't it?!!!

[@GodLovesYou1980]

Thank you Father 💙

[@kellyfetchina6245]

Forgive me Father... I grew up in the "Protestant" church but did not encounter Nationalism or the idea that women were somehow less than men and never knew anyone to carry firearms and I grew up in the South. I love the Orthodox Church and don't want to be anywhere else but I am not sure it is fair to refer to these things as "Protestant Orthodoxy" bc I have seen these things happening in the Russian, Ukrainian, Armenian,Romanian, Greek and so on...to the point where Hierarchs don't condemn War but actually Bless weapons and tanks. I don't know what this is but not sure it is fair to say it is an American Protestant Orthodoxy problem bc I am seeing such things in cradle Orthodox in various Ethnic parishes and Countries. We need to be careful not to shun/offend our fellow Christian brothers and sisters in other denominations but instead, encourage them in love to come and see the fullness of our wonderful Faith. Thank you, Father and please forgive me if I have offended you in any way.

[@rigavitch]

One of the worst videos I've ever heard and THE most protestant! The irony Lord have mercy! So shallow and judgemental. blaming the converts instead of offering any solace or wisdom! So many better out there! SAD! All Glory To God! 🙏🏻☦☦☦

[@HomoEucharistica]

I don't think Fr. Seraphim is talking about American situation per se even though he uses it as an example. There are issues typical to the neophytes (newly converted), and there are different issues typical to the "cradle Orthodox", and then there are issues typical to both, in global scale. Ethnophyletism and blessing weapons etc. have been all condemned by the Orthodox synods for centuries, yet they are still around - that's very human thing to happen, and that's what we need to struggle against. And so it is with these "superficial conversions": Orthodoxy is first and foremost about the renewing and glorification of the heart and mind, not about correcting your beliefs (though that's a part of it) and joining in new earthly "Jesus fan club" (pardon this little exaggeration) that corresponds with your expectations. Conservative values and zeal for "correct beliefs" might be a good reason to convert, but bad reasons to stay. That's why these "Protestant Orthodox" are called to repent and step deeper into the Truth; to be transformed by the mercy of Christ; to live new life in Christ in the light of Orthodoxy, instead of wrapping the old life in the clothes of Orthodoxy.

[@omalleyelley12]

Agreed

[@mrsmarple2655]

@@HomoEucharistica 💯 agree with your opinion. You explained it so well. Lord have mercy on us sinners 🙏❤️🕊️

[@sharonwalters6135]

Very well said thank you

[@christinazupancic2018]

Amen! Thank you Fr. Seraphim!!!!!

[@YannisH]

Lord have mercy on us

[@GodLovesYou1980]

God bless everyone

[@Rou3hec]

Bless you!

[@aeyoussef20011]

Amen!

[@iliya3110]

Thank you father. It is true that we often do not fully repent of our heterodoxy; God help us. While it’s true many of us hold onto a Western phronema, whether intentionally or unknowingly, when we convert, it’s also the case that even historically Orthodox lands, like Romania, have also been influenced by Western ideological/cultural trends. We need to pray for wisdom and discernment in these latter days. The Western phronema is formed by Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaized Christianity (fundamentalism), Zionism, the Enlightenment, Marxism, and Masonry and it is opposed to the truth. All of these errors have infiltrated much of the modern world, and yes, even some Orthodox lands. As far as how these errors present themselves goes, have to remain watchful because the even Satan appears as an angel of light. And while certainly it would seem that parts of Eastern Europe would conceivably be more likely to have an Orthodox phronema more than Orthodox from the West like myself, nonetheless, I have befriended Romanians and other Eastern Europeans, and observed enough to know their lands too have been tainted by the same Western, modernist ethos in various ways also. In other words, just because someone grew up in a historically Orthodox land, all the the while desiring to remain humble because I know I too have these same infections, I would not just assume that they are somehow free from these influences. After all, Romania is currently experiencing a cultural conflict over this very issue in its current cultural struggle between the EU (Western) associated parties and populist, pro-Orthodox groups. That wouldn’t exist if Romania were actually free of these very errors under question.

[@maryc9312]

Thank you Father

[@MrCSRT8]

There are many historical examples of nations throwing off the yoke of tyranny and liberating themselves through force of arms, as well as countless instances of individuals in free societies defending their lives against assault by the wicked. It is easy to promote pacifism while enjoying the protection of armed people.

[@OG_Chocobean]

throwing off the yoke of tyranny the not remotely the same thing as "defending the border" as it is talked about today in America. America is not being invaded: it is actively casting out citizens.

[@arnoldvezbon6131]

@@OG_Chocobean "America is not being invaded: it is actively casting out citizens." If this is how you see it then you are more of an ideologue than any conservative.

[@evangelopetropoulos4317]

GOOD JOB FATHER !!!!!

[@goodwatersips21]

Thank you. I hope Josiah Trenham sees this. I left Evangelical church and found Orthodoxy. I found an Antiochian church and have found the way through this parish. I was encouraged by some members of the parish ( not any clergy) to watch Trenhams videos to learn more. I watched and was horrified that the same hatred that I saw in evangelicalism was in the Orthodox Church. I was very troubled and thought nowhere was safe from the nonsense. I talked to my priest about my concerns and he expressed what you are saying here.

[@cloverskiezz]

God bless you. When I saw his videos too I felt the same way. It seemed all to similar to so many evangelical churches. It is quite disturbing

[@Stupid_Albertan]

I've never seen any hatred from Fr Josiah in his videos.

[@kudryavkalaika875]

I do not follow Fr. Trenham. What videos are you referring to that are hateful?

[@psyche8187]

I really surprised to read this. Are you willing to explain what Fr Josiah has taught that you found hateful?

[@Seven-jb4gk]

@@psyche8187 I do not know much, but from even the few clips I have seen of him (for example, his more recent video on the wildfires in California) he seems to me to be very biased; calling people sodomites, involving himself in politics, accusing one side of being this that and the other, etc. It is not my place to criticize him as a man, for I have my own flawed opinions as well, but as a priest I do not believe such fire and brimstone is appropriate. Warnings certainly have a time and a place, but bringing God's name into the petty matters of us on Earth is incorrect.

[@billzervos6793]

Well said Father👏👏👏☦️☦️☦️

[@Noizzed]

I don't think the Father was specifying protestant characteristics in particular but generally that these things he deacribed are part of a very wordly way of seeing/practicing Orthodoxy when to be an Orthodox Christian is not to be a follower of the world but of Christ, to give up our Earthly life, to deny ourselves for Christ, not to indulge in manmade morality. In this case protestant is one who goes by their own interpretation rather than submitting to Christ and his church.

[@eglaham]

Father, I agree that the Church is new life in Christ and should not be reduced to an ideology (political or otherwise) or a moral philosophy but I fear you are being overly simplistic in your treatment of a very complicated subject, especially when veering into geopolitics. Should a father not protect his family?! While the dangers of conversion motives you describe are real (I could name names), I don't believe they are as pervasive as you suggest for those coming to the Church under authentic spiritual guidance. Men should be men and women, women. There is nothing Protestant about that and I speak as a theologically-educated cradle Orthodox Christian.

[@arnoldvezbon6131]

Name the names so we can steer clear.

[@lifeasvocation1557]

This is very good, adopting Orthodoxy as an identity and an ideology is very popular yet not wise. It’s everywhere. Lord have mercy on us all

[@petervandolah5322]

I am a four year old new convert after many years as a suspicious American charismatic ... I appreciate you pointing this out and bringing to light this protestant thing and "tolerance" towards this ... This is our issue in these times ... And sadly many are not willing to look at this from the correct and singularly unique perspective ... Thank you Father ...

[@gobnatav]

Father, please pray that I'll be able to meet you later this week in Atlanta. I'll be driving from NC. God willing, I'll be allowed to greet you face-to-face. May our Lord Christ God bless and keep you on your journey to the USA and return you safely to the Mull Monastery. Amen.

[@zorromoreno6393]

Thank you, Father. I earnestly pray for Christ’s Church. That He would keep it and protect it from every evil, heresy and that the gates of hell would not prevail against it. In the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

[@jeffrodubya213]

Thank you

[@MyMemphisable]

As a Protestant (technically, for now), I appreciate this very much. As I discovered the Orthodox faith online (sadly the first ever encounter, but thank God it happened), all of my Protestant instincts were ready to kick in. Such an inclination to prove, refute, dismiss, reject. But Christ slowed me way down. I knew this part of me must die first. I am asking Christ to show me, open my eyes, open my heart. I am so weary of self-reliance and intellectual sparing. None of that ever brought me closer to Christ. Maybe that part of my journey served a purpose, and I am grateful God has awakened me at long last. But seriously, there is so much subtle evil in the do-it-yourself Christian notion. It's sad. I pray God keeps the Orthodox faith pure and undefiled from the spirit of individualism so rampant in Protestantism. I also pray God be merciful to Protestants. So many of us are longing for something we never knew was missing. We are being stirred not because we lost something but because we never had it. But we need a lot of guidance to discern what we're going through. Pray for us.

[@annalynn9325]

You are in good company

[@VlogClaireMackenzieDavis]

Being raised a protestant, I am drawn to Orthadoxy for truth. I honestly hesitate because I don't know if I can be good enough. But I keep seeking. We are looking for something we didn't even know existed. So plz just keep showing us the truth so we can continue to climb.

[@RafaelReStival]

Pastor Peter Leithart has almost the same view as you and wrote a great book about it: The End Of Protestantism

[@zorromoreno6393]

⁠​⁠@@VlogClaireMackenzieDavisI’m coming out of a Protestant background and had similar thoughts…”Can I *really* do this? …This seems like *so* much. What if I fail, burn out…?” Then (I believe) the Spirit turned these very real fears into consolation. The fear came from preoccupations with my own shortcomings and flesh instead of seeing Christ. Being Christian is about carrying a cross. I feel like my Protestant mind knew this, but it’s somehow more tangible in Orthodoxy. If we only see the death, we’ll shrink back in fear. But, when we see that the cross’ end is victory-the way Christ exemplified-then we can take courage. We cannot live apart from the Spirit. As long as we know that, and draw our life there we can have victory. We will fall. And, like I remember hearing once, will die many little deaths. But, by the grace of God, we rise again. All that to say, it’s no longer us who lives, but Christ lives in us. So, we don’t need to fear we might fail. We embrace the cross and walk the narrow path, trusting that He who raised Christ from the dead, will raise us-every time we need it.

[@kidanemfamily3159]

This is very thoughtful and was not possible without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. If you look at early Church History, those coming from the Jewish had struggled with the same issue i.e keeping what they had while embracing the new one (Christianity). Time, prayer, guidance will lead our brothers and sisters coming to Orthodoxy. It does not happen overnight. So far the progress in these 25 years is impressive, and has thought Orthodox Fathers how to approach, navigate and spread Orthodoxy in new places and cultures.

[@mistareemystery-se7uv]

Greetings Fr. Seraphim. I had a couple observations. Please correct me if I misunderstood... 1) the phenomenon you're describing among new converts doesn't sound like something uniquely protestant but rather something uniquely patriarchal (e.g. protecting one's borders, nation, re-asserting gender roles, etc.) And, although, I'd agree that anything can be pushed to an extreme, it seems that at least in some sense our faith is patriarchal. And by extension, that patriarchy is not therefore bad, but necessary for orderliness. I understand it's uncomfortable for some people to hear the injunction "wives submit to your husbands", but there's an equally strong injunction for men to "love their wives the way Christ loves his church". 2) how does carrying a firearm mean that we dont trust in God? By that logic we could say that those who use medicine or pharmacological drugs dont trust in God. If we can use medicine to save life from disease why cant we use self-defense (or defending others) to protect the innocent. Personally, i dont see an inherent conflict between using a technology and trust in God, but maybe i have not yet aquired the right mindset. If you could clarify it would be greatly appreciated, Father.

[@rachelk5272]

By the same logic those requiring masks and Covid shutdowns didn’t trust in God. Which is true. But guns are somewhat different in that they can be proven to protect you if ur attacked especially if ur attacked by an other person with a gun. Guns can also potentially be misused. Guns are also a great equalizer for women who wil never be able to fight off an attacking man thru her own strength.

[@rigavitch]

It's like a parody and also look into this monastery deeper...that's all I will say! Lord have mercy!!!

[@Shernickyholmes221]

I get the sense that this monk is a liberal feminist. He looks down on women converts who want to be homemakers and submit to their husbands. So sad. Yes, what is the difference between seeking medical care and carrying a gun. If God is in control, let him decide. This is disgraceful.

[@TheMOV13]

You expressed some of my puzzlement too. Some of the things expressed in the video I also don’t see as typically Protestant attributes and it would be good to see a proper, holy, humble and serving model of male authority in the home spoken about alongside the bad and misogynistic version. I’m afraid I stopped watching the video halfway through, it was too confusing and unsettling.

[@bradn77]

@@TheMOV13 Well said.

[@SomeOrthoBro]

Thank you so much for this video. You explain exactly what I have seen myself. Mostly online though. P.S. my username is a joke lol

[@2greeksandacamera]

One thing we ALL must remember is that God deliberately left one thing out of the holy inspired written scriptures: OUR OPINIONS.

[@nenadsrejic6216]

As a lifelong Orthodox Christian living in America, I don't believe "Nationalism" is specifically a Protestant issue. Orthodoxy has Russian, Greek, Serbian, Ukrainian churches with parishioners from those communities. Maybe giving specific examples who be helpful to better understand what you are referring too.

[@notarobot2161]

I’m a convert of 25 years. I think your description is a very small exception and by no means the norm. Indeed, I’ve never come across these sentiments among the hundreds of converts we have known. I’m sorry if this has been your experience.

[@fepatter]

Amen. I’ve found this trend very concerning. God willing, many of these people will be truly converted at some point. May I too be truly converted. I converted 27 years ago and rather than having 27 years of Orthodox progress, I feel like I’ve had one year, 27 times.

[@arnoldvezbon6131]

The issue is that boomers have put their head in the sand for a longtime an let the west deteriorate to satanic state. Now they complain when younger people filed with strength want to correct the dereliction of duty of the boomers towards society.

[@realmccoy124]

**No one is gonna tell me what to do with my Murican Exceptionalism… Yankee Doodle Deal with it!** … and when I was entering the Church … all my Protestant friends were outrage that I couldn’t receive the Eucharist.. I told them - I wasn’t offended in the least… I was just happy to be standing in the midst of the Temple, calling upon the name of the Lord, and with a patient expectation, I looked forward to the day that I would be baptized into the Church… and be newly illumined. Check your ego at the door. Check your Fronema too while you’re at it.

[@Tytheguy27]

The inquirers who are showing up to the church for their political reasons usually don’t stick with this faith very long. Orthodoxy demands repentance. Most young Americans like myself feel out of place in our part of the world, so if there’s an Orthodox Church in our area we give it a try. And we Americans have a very different culture, we’re very individualistic yet dependent on our services were provided like convenience and welfare. We’re not self reliant enough to do the more basic things that orthodox are doing like morning prayers or standing the entire time during a service. For me, orthodoxy is hard. And I love it so. Lord have mercy on the USA for its many sins.

[@jakeanderson6456]

Amen

[@somewizeguy]

There may be this Protestant Orthodoxy you speak of, online or some unhealthy parishes but I as an American in Florida, a new convert baptized less than a year ago, I have not experienced this or I would not have joined my Parish. Also, not all protestants have this mindset you speak of. I hope you are unintentionally overstating and being overly pessimistic based on some bad experiences and I hope this does not reflect as big of a problem as you seem to think it is. Granted it will take a while to get culturally protestant Americans like myself to be shaped by Orthodoxy and hopefully under the guidance of godly spiritual fathers we will be strengthened in Christ and shed the worst of the negative protestant influence. I know why I'm here and it is to seek repentance and it is very difficult having come from an incredibly unhealthy "Christian" culture even a "Christian" cult in which I was born into and raised and thanks be to God delivered from. Unlike several videos of yours I have watched, please forgive me Father, but I cant say I found this video very encouraging, or from my somewhat limited perspective even that fair maybe, but it is not my intention to question your heart or judge you. Perhaps I am lucky to have found a somewhat healthy albeit imperfect Parish. Please pray for us.

[@cymbolic_space1832]

lots of upset people here. perhaps this blessed father is incorrect in his assessment and perhaps he is not. we all are constantly making mistakes and so we should be sever with ourselves in condemnation and have grace with eachother. pluck the beam from your own eye before the spec from your brothers. so if this video is showing a spec in father's eye, turn your gaze inward and see what beam cries out in your own soul instead of attack and derision. humility. and humility in the face of arrogance!

[@deanmcdiarmid7068]

Orthodox are very nationalist to their countries. Maybe not Orthodox in scotland, but ive been to Greece, the Balkans, etc. Very nationalistic faith.

[@arnoldvezbon6131]

So?

[@sharonwalters6135]

You say you love us. Why am I feeling so unloved? And love by you and God? You’re passionate about what you’re saying and I respect that but I am unloved.😢😢😢 pretty soon. I’ll be going to heaven and I feel unloved because I’m not a true orthodox. I’ve got Protestantism dragging me down? I don’t know where to turn.

[@arnoldvezbon6131]

Humility, humility, humility. You are looking to others to fill you. Look to Christ instead.

[@stevemcgee99]

It’s one thing to get insight into a movement overseas through the news and seeing popular online content. It’s a different thing to be an orthodox convert in the United States. I’m not seeing what Father is talking about. I hear about the charicature of “conservatives” but I don’t see it. I do see some people struggle with practices they were always taught were idolatry, or with the lack of material explanation of the faith. So far more than 90% of seekers get beyond this Protestant or atheist qualm and become catechumens then get baptized. I see this weekly in the United States.

[@blorkflorkernorp9773]

Thank you for this opportunity to strengthen my resolve.

[@Popscotch328]

Canadian here. I was baptized ten years ago. I went to a lot of punk shows in my youth, and was a bartender for a little while. Ran with a little motorcycle club my friends and I started too. I wear several Death To The World T-shirts. My pagan wife buys them for me out of love. One of them features my Saint beheading Goliath. I am physically disabled, age 40 with four sons. A real person. We have converts pouring into the parish from all walks of life. It’s because they want Christ Jesus. They want to be healed. I am sponsoring a catechumen right now, whom has no particular conservative outlook or Christian past. Rather, he grew up a Muslim. I take the warning in this video nonetheless Fr Seraphim. Thank you for loving us over here in North America enough to deliver a stern word. Forgive me but I think there may also be a bit of intercultural blindness on display here. I have had two friends reach out just this week from hundreds of kilometres away to ask me about The Church because they are at the end of themselves. There is so much stress in the spiritual atmosphere here. The Church, The Mother of God is our only refuge now. Cast your pearls at me but I know the comfort of my Lord.

[@OG_Chocobean]

As long as "death to the world" means your cares for riches, station, powers, nations etc, and not death and condemnation to human beings made in the image of God. I think, perhaps not you, but there are some who may be confused that the attitude and banner means "death to sinners unless they repent", instead of "bring healing to sinners" through self sacrifice and our own repentance.

[@radiantgradient3167]

I'm simply an inquirer, been learning about this church for only a few days. But how can one simultaneously love their family, and the people in their community, if they have no love for their nation? Are we meant to be suicidal in this way? Give up your cares and hopes for the future of the people you profess love for? It does not compute for me. How does throwing away your love show your love? I love my nation and want God to bless it, I have no hate for other nations, but this one is mine.

[@MrAwak3]

I’m a former Protestant and current Orthodox Catechumen. More than half my Church is Protestant converts and I don’t see anyone bringing Protestantism with them. It’s been quite the opposite, as if people cant wait to shed the “old me” off. I’ve attended a Greek Orthodox Church with almost all cradle Orthodox and not one woman covered her hair. The Church I attend now is Antiochian and I’d say 3/4 of the new convert women have their hair covered adopting the culture. It’s not to say this makes them “more Orthodox” than someone else but it’s a complete rejection of the “come as you are” Protestant culture. I will say there are too many recent converts on KZbin giving their unqualified opinion on subjects people such as yourself have spent their life studying. This flavor picking is uniquely American and should stop. I will say it is a double edge sword as most people in America find Orthodoxy via KZbin as I think any honest Orthodox Christian will admit the evangelism can be improved on.

[@TheMOV13]

Fighting for faith and fatherland at the point of a gun is something I’ve never really been aware of much in all my 57 years of Protestant Christianity but is something I’ve come across since converting to Holy Orthodoxy three years ago - and not from converts either. The confusion of faith and military might is an extraordinary thing for Orthodoxy to accuse Protestantism of. The dismissal of complementary male and female roles in the family, using the text “In Christ there is no male and female etc…” is VERY Protestant and one of the main arguments used for the ordination of women.

[@joshf2218]

@@TheMOV13 exactly. He doesn’t sound like he represents Eastern Europe or the levant, he sounds like a liberal Scottish person

[@APaineProduction]

@@TheMOV13 these things are all so tricky… I really believe we are in a sort of Tower of Babel moment, where the languages of everyone have been confused. He may very well be meaning a very politically “liberal” meaning with his interpretation of gender or “Christian nationalism”, but he may also be meaning it truthfully in a very different way then that political “mob”. Your personal experience of no clear militant Protestantism could be very true, while also “Protestant Christian’s history” in America has truthfully carried a very militant spirit (more directly at a different time then your personal experience). Also, the times in which Orthodoxy has taken on a state/church unity are bygone. There is now too much globalization, elevation of technology, and confusion on hierarchy for it to be even close to viable in our zeitgeist. So the confusion when spiritual teachers/elders try to say anything with authority, is in many cases on the confusion of whom and what time they are speaking too (we can thank the internet for that in many cases). I think the whole ethos of all of his words here are really towards speaking towards the exact time we are in now.

[@OrthodoxChristian809]

There is no male or female when it comes to our souls. Our worldly social roles are a different matter.

[@askidar267]

Brothers and sisters, do not judge the Father, yes he speaks in disappointment and spite, but we do not know his cross. Even though I don't agree in all with him, he is right that converts come to our Holy Faith because of 3rd tier reasons, mostly cultural and traditional things, and not spiritual, but that is because they come from protestant or non-religious background, where they never learned spirituality of Orthodoxy. And it's like that both in US and Russia or other countries. We got ourselves to blame for that, for not spreading word of Lord in right or more-popular way. Us modern Christians are just that-modern, may God gives us wisdom to be even a fracture of what our Elders were!

[@robotmechanic3923]

I'm converting, and I'm still waiting on the priest to start to with me to be catechized, and I wanted to thank you so much for this, because I can understand exactly what you are saying, you speak true orthodoxy. Thank you, bless you , bless you, bless you!

[@stewartmccullough9460]

"Unless you look at a wound and acknowledge that there is a wound there, the process of healing and the process of moving forward...will never even start, let alone be fulfilled." Those of you who feel attacked or that he is painting with a broad brush, consider whether Fr. Seraphim may be pointing at a wound, not the whole body or the part that is healthy. When he condemns "protestantism," he is pointing at one particular part of it, perhaps its worldly, reactionary aspect.

[@johnbautiste]

Nice try. No, he is painting with a broad brush. I've met too many monks like this. The Bishops need to re evaluate their monasteries and make these monks act like men as commanded in Scripture.

[@RedBullGreenBear]

The thought that somehow within Orthodoxy it is correct - God gives us permission - to use violence of any sort in order to protect our borders: that is "pure heresy". Read that again, and let the questions that arise permeate your mind.

[@campomambo]

I was shocked by that statement. There are so many stories from the lives of the saints and miracles involving the defense of an orthodox nation. Holy Queen Tamar of Georgia is the first to come to my mind.

[@rigavitch]

Never trusted him and this sealed it for me!

[@rigavitch]

@@campomambo Don't be just research him and his monastery further and it should become clear why he's pushing this. Stay true! Lord have Mercy☦☦☦

[@joshf2218]

@@RedBullGreenBear Insanity. So blatantly contradictory to not only the scriptures but the witness of the faith itself for 2000 years.

[@bogdantoader8714]

Is not post-pandemic , is post -planned pandemic . By the way , I remember you being pro mARN injection. Who are you , anyway? Can you help the society when you are secluded in an island?

[@anakronistik6865]

Like ppl really missed the phronema boat on this one, laity and clergy alike. St Paisios along with several modern elders warner us about the scamdemic, and yet the warnings fell on many deaf Orthodox ears. Lord have mercy on us all.

[@MatthewWithTwoTs]

Wasn't there a Greek saint that spoke about this idea of violence. For us, personally, we should turn OUR own cheeks, but we should NOT ignore the suffering of others, or the responsibility of men of households to protect and love. I don't see anything antithetical about this. I understand the adversity against the thought of violence, but so much as there is violence in this world, there is good in the man who places himself as a shield against the very physical manifestations of evil.

[@kylerburch3664]

I’m a new convert and current catechumen. My voice means very little. My wife and 6 month old son however, look to me innately as their guide into the Truth. As a guide into Christ. What I have realized on this journey into the Truth in Christ, is I’ve had to drop my preconceived notions of what Christ commands. For instance, my political views, without Christ bend right wing. Yet, it’s not my job to submit Christ to these views, but submit my views to Christ. And this is where I believe fundamental questions arise. Especially in a “democratic” nation, such as the US, where my vote isn’t necessarily within the context of the Church, but the nation. Borders for instance, are we speaking on the borders of the Church when voting? Or the borders of a nation? I think most would say that the Kingdom of God, His Church, has no borders. But if we apply this same view/ought claim to the nation, inevitably we face consequences. Should we conflate the authority of the Church and the authority of the State? Should these two entities be one? I think many are struggling with this question, a question raised in “The Brothers Karamazov”. I still find this hard to distinguish and I pray our Orthodox spiritual leaders and fathers help guide us to the Truth here.

[@diamondgirl359]

Father Seraphim, would you please respond to how we in the US should respond responsibly to our citizenry and stay faithful to our Orthodoxy? Our recent election pitted abortion and transgender altering of children versus illegal migration and government corruption. Are you suggesting to withdraw from participation in the election process? How do we navigate these political waters as Orthodox Christians? I am newly converted-3 years now.

[@benc6537]

Beware the snares of the devil, the cares of the world and the deceits of the heart.

[@KyleNewsom-v8x]

Death to the world means being dead to your passions it was from a saint nothing wrong with the saying but must know the context

[@henricusinstitoris2325]

I might be wrong because im new to Orthodoxy, but is it not ok to defend yourself be that with a knife or gun. I will speak to my spiritual father about this issue.

[@arnoldvezbon6131]

This guy is in deep prelest.

[@henricusinstitoris2325]

@arnoldvezbon6131 I'm in deep prelest? If you are referring to me, I did say I'm new and would speak more about this my spiritual father.

[@ccevans55]

He has another video on this topic that also confused me. He's a monastic and trying to apply monastic rule to those living in the world. Monks are married to Christ so to speak. Those in the world have duties to their spouses and children. It's a greater sin to allow harm to come to your family than it is to stop the person doing harm with force. God gave us our families and it is our responsibility to care for and protect them.

[@joshf2218]

@@henricusinstitoris2325 Seraphim Aldea is objectively wrong, the Orthodox Church considers all war an evil but does not forbid self defense whether your body your home or your nation. Pacifism is a condemned heresy yet he speaks the exact opposite message - makes you wonder.

[@realmccoy124]

Hey there Henri…. So - the prelest comment wasn’t directed to you. Fairly certain, It was towards Father Seraphim…. what Father was talking mostly about - is guns inside the temple. And my understanding is - there should NOT be weaponry brought with us into the Church building. The Protestant mind gives little regard to the building … the Orthodox mind regards the building as set apart. Rational Thought Christianity fails to recognize the metaphysical aspect of the Temple and such when we are celebrating the Divine Liturgy. As you suggested, you’re gonna talk to your spiritual father… but I am pretty sure he will tell you that we do not kill inside the temple. Defending our homes and families etc… I think is perfectly defensible… be encouraged. Cuthbert.

[@idaspidalegs]

Bless you Father. I have been struggling with the fact that some Orthodox people support unloving and unmerciful policies here in the United States. I must remind myself to just look to Christ. To go into my inner cell, pray and repent and to love with mercy for all.

[@arnoldvezbon6131]

"unloving and unmerciful policies here in the United States" name them and show they are so.

[@Evlogite19]

lol. Oh my, isn’t that rich. A leftist lecturing the rest of us about being loving and merciful. You really don’t get it, do you?

[@tikat]

I haven't watched the video yet, but I want to say i love Fr. Seraphim!!! Always so good to see him in my feed. May God bless him and all of you watching

[@psyche8187]

TLDR: Red pill Orthodoxy is not Orthodoxy. 👍🏻

[@danielgaley9676]

I am trying to escape protestantism. Protestant Orthodoxy? Oxymoron?

[@timmiller7338]

Ladyhood is blessed, as the main emotional heart of the family. Men should lead and protect. Being more logical than emotional, qualifies as the best leader. Let Author be a man, but remember that Heaven is not just a stagg party! Smurfette is Lady Smurf too! Gentlemen, Amen. Without a good head, we have a Headless Horseman in the making. Stay Noble my friends!

[@rigavitch]

That's The Church and clergy's responsibility to offer solid catechesis with love not judgement! ! Get ready and used to it because it's a natural result of the state of world right now. Stop blaming the convert! Lord have Mercy! The irony is that THIS video sounds "protestant" 🙏🏻☦

[@bradn77]

Not all Protestants are Christian Nationalists.

[@stevepa999]

I am horrified that so many people in the online world think Jay Dyer is one of the leading figures in Orthodoxy. This man knows very little about Orthodox spirituality. It doesn't matter how many people he brings into the Church, if they do not heal their souls by repenting it is a fruitless cause. There is another KZbin channel that rated the best Orthodox books. Not one book about the life of a Saint.

[@arnoldvezbon6131]

This guy here is a snake in the grass.

[@joshf2218]

@@stevepa999 people who make Jay a boogeyman have no idea what they are talking about. This video is much worse and more dangerous than anything Dyer has ever said.

[@stevepa999]

@@joshf2218 No one knows God and Orthodoxy better than the devil. Knowledge about Orthodoxy will not save your soul. Knowledge about the ways one goes about repentance will. When it comes to the former, Jay Dyer knows a lot, when it comes to the latter he knows little.

[@realmccoy124]

@@arnoldvezbon6131 - and how do we know that you are not a snake in the grass too, just in a different lot? To what benefit is there to belittle Father Seraphim ?? Attack the assertion, not the person. What precisely in this video is wrong … and by what means, outside of yourself and your opinions can you can you support your claim. Affronting the personhood of someone - who is made in the image of God - is an affront to God. God holds us accountable to every idle word.

[@realmccoy124]

hey Stevepa999. Thank you for your comment here. Content creators really need to be careful how they curate their material. Who advises Jay and all the others on the ‘Hey Orthodoxy is Hip today … Flannel and flips are soooo yesterday’ bandwagon’… gotta get those numbers up!!! Head knowledge is not the same as Heart knowledge as you state. I got wrapped up on something and my priest said - ‘Is your soul disquieted in your actions online?’ The answer was - yes, it is revved up… and I realized that the wrath of man, doesn’t work the righteousness of God… and that I was operating in my pride…. When I needed to work in my inner life in peace and repentance. Folks mistaken political/social buzz for spiritual honey… I constantly remind myself, be the bee - not the buzz. Be encouraged - Lovingly - Cuthbert!

[@robertkane1112]

Fr. Seraphim, I think it is a stretch to call Christian Nationalism “blasphemous”, because if you remember the Byzantine and Russian Empires, they were holy nations that were both Christian and Nationalist. Emperors and Czars became saints!

[@eliasn.477]

Lol, empires cannot be “nationalistic”, by definition. They can Only be multicultural.

[@arnoldvezbon6131]

@@eliasn.477 Culture != nation.

[@mahalakatanga]

christian nationalism is anathema according to 1872 council of constantinople...

[@arnoldvezbon6131]

@mahalakatanga Phyletism is not Christian nationalism. Nice try though.

[@Rg88-v2c]

Can someone ask Father Seraphim if he thinks Saint Sofian Boghiu, Elder Iustin Parvu and Father a George Calciu, great recent saints of the Romanian Church, are Protestants? I asked him when he first published this slanderous content, but my comments kept getting deleted.

[@eliasn.477]

Otter than Boghiu, the other two were fascists more or less.

[@Rg88-v2c]

@ Saint Sofian openly spoke in favor of nationalism as well. But that doesn’t answer my question, are these saints Protestant Orthodox as he calls them or not

[@mahalakatanga]

ill effects of reformation is not a recent thing in orthodoxy, we are wrestling with it for centuries...

[@Rg88-v2c]

@@mahalakatanga I agree, and I think novel interpretations of scripture that Father Seraphim promotes in this video are examples of that. Recent saints defending their Nation and Faith in accordance with patristic principle are not effects of Protestantism

[@mahalakatanga]

@@Rg88-v2c i really wonder, what is a novel interpretation in father's speech? by the way this whole "interpretation" thing is protestant, church wrote the scriptures, we are not sola scriptura, church can decide what is right and what is wrong, a lay person cannot say "hey, this is not in the bible"...

[@johnathanrhoades7751]

I love that Ancient Faith picked this up!! We American converts in particular need this message. I fight it myself regularly

[@arnoldvezbon6131]

What message is that? The Father here merely presented a caricature straw man since he himself is a highly biased individual that thinks BLM was a good thing and seems to sympathize with feminist talking points.

[@JujuBerry]

WOW! this video was lens shattering in the best way. I'm an Orthodox Inquirer. I am into firearms and this video really made me look at things a little differently. God bless!

[@OG_Chocobean]

My friend, keep seeking: towards Christ's example of self sacrifice and His wish for us towards repentance, and flee, flee, flee from nationalism and "traditionalism".

[@arnoldvezbon6131]

If all christians thought like you Christianity would of disappeared a long time ago.

[@FailingAtFarmChores]

This makes it seem like Orthodoxy has no place for soldiers.

[@realmccoy124]

Then… I ask you, why would we pray for all civil authority and our armed forces in every Divine Liturgy? Of course there is a place for soldiers in Orthodoxy. But. The main point of Father, as I perceived it … no guns in the Temple. And we shouldn’t make our faith in Christ - an ideology with our national identity. We are called to be Christians … not American Christians… etc.

[@FailingAtFarmChores]

@realmccoy124 National identity is kind of an implied thing for a soldier. Your job is to literally fight, die or kill on behalf of your nation.

[@psyche8187]

If you read the fathers and modern Orthodox theologians, you find that they really struggle with the problem of killing in war. If you’re interested it’s worth looking into.

[@tanyaduggan85]

I see this. Well said, Fr ✝️🙏🏼❤

[@eliasn.477]

Also orthodoxy ( or any other religion, really) is so malleable that it’s what you wanna make it to be. In my home country it’s mostly part of the national identity and a bunch of folk traditions.

[@brock2443]

The term for that is OrthoBro. A fair majority of the ones on youtube would fall into that category.

[@heterinteåke]

This is the most powerful sermon i have ever heard. Glory to God, Christ is among us.

[@vasiliossmith2616]

We must return to the one Holy catholic Apostolic Church of the Holy Fathers and the Ecumenical council's decision

[@charlesbartleson6109]

What a way to trivialize the blessed and sacred responsibility that God has given women, as homemakers and child bearers. Just as he trivializes loving men, who are self-controlled, restrained but capable of defending their family and their church. This isn't loving edification or western orthodoxy, it sounds like a Marxist tirade.

[@mirandarileydesigns]

Thank you, Charles. As a Protestant inquirer who's a mother of 6 and homemaker for 25 years, this was such a disappointing video. I'm just glad I have the soundness of mind to know that one man's opinion is not that of the whole Orthodox church.

[@Stupid_Albertan]

Yes! Disappointed over here too. Don't put your trust in guns, but do put your trust in vaccines. Motherhood and homemaking is menial...and an education is superior. Global warming is real, blah,blah,blah. If 'american derangement syndrome' were a thing this monk has it.

[@joshf2218]

@@charlesbartleson6109 💯

[@mirandarileydesigns]

​@Stupid_Albertan nice to see some fellow Canadians here 😁🙌

[@steffis9969]

@@mirandarileydesignsi don’t think that is what Father wanted to tell you. You are doing excellent and valuable work. But it has nothing to do with orthodoxy or religion. As a european, the american discussion about women‘s lifestyles connected to religion seems always a bit odd 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@ValentinBrutusBura]

"Sola Scriptura" is a good guiding principle but it cannot argue for or against assisted suicide, for instance.

[@mahalakatanga]

no, it is heresy, church decided which books are canon and which ones are not, if you don't accept the church, why you accept their selection?

[@cult2Christ]

Romans 13 - Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. 👉But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 👈 The government is established by God and has a duty to protect its citizens. As a husband, I will do the same for my family. I am called to love my enemy but I am also called to love my family and provide for them, which I think includes protection. You also decry "isms" yet you judgemantally caricature and broad brush large swaths of people who flee to the Church when the world around them is crashing. I honestly know very few genuine Protestants who are the way you paint them to be, most I know are more pious than I am. I'm certain that I have misspoke in something I have said but your statements smack of ignorance and bias, my opinion. - Seth R.

[@matthewgarcia6320]

This video isn’t hitting for me. It sounds like something I would hear at the Episcopalian Church tbh.

[@arnoldvezbon6131]

A bishop in particular...

[@ourtimeisprecious]

The use of 'protestant' in this video discredits for me, the entirety of the Mull Monastery message. Equating violence and misogyny with protestant faith, creating strawmen and the like is disgusting, in fact. I'm thankful to God that I can recover some of my time back, to stop entertaining the messages from this monastery. God bless and be well.

[@anthonyally4390]

Thankful supermajority of Orthodox members see through this false packaging.

[@nikoletalappa2518]

Truer than true! God bless!

[@Rg88-v2c]

Hilarious Ancient Faith chose to publish this video slandering traditional Orthodox Christians within a week of 10 Legionaries being canonized by the Romanian Church

[@kirkmavroulis6686]

St. Paul and St Peter who are the Fathers of the Fathers wrote that the man is to lead the home, and the church. Not because of physical anatomy but because of a God ordained role, rooted in the history of human kind from the garden of Eden onward. For St. Paul wrote "for I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over men, for it was Eve who was deceived and not Adam". I am Greek Orthodox since baptism as an infant, however I can see with my eyes the corruption in the protestant church who simultaneously says "sola scriptura" and ordains women to leadership in direct conflict with the scripture. So yes the Orthodox church who has not changed over the millennia is and should be drawing people who are interested in a church uncompromised. That being said I agree with the national aspect, the orthodox church has been one of suffering and self sacrifice, whose allegiance is to the heavenly kingdom not any earthly one.

[@gobnatav]

The verse you're referring to in 1 Tim 2:12 has been erroneously mistranslated (and is so often taken out of context). "I most certainly do not grant authority to a woman to teach that she is the originator (αὐθεντέω τινός) of a man--rather, she is not to cause a fuss--for Adam was formed first, then Eve." αὐθεντέω τινός (authenteo tinos) began taking the meaning "have authority over" centuries later, and ancient Greek papyri supports the rendering as "originator of." This verse in its original context and understanding is a slap at Gnosticism, which was a pervading heresy at the time. Contrary to popular belief, Paul had no issues with women in authority, as women were attested as leaders and teachers in the Jewish synagogues at that time. Two verses before that (2:10), Paul's talking about a specific group of women: "...which is fitting for women while they are giving a 'Convert to Judaism' (θεοσέβεια) instructions..." The keyword is θεοσέβεια theosebeia). Before the meaning of this word was known, it was variously rendered in NT translations as "godliness," "worship/fear of God," "religion." It's been established that this word is a formal designation for a group enrolled in a synagogue, but a group distinct from proselytes and native Jews, specifically converts to Judaism. The women being referred to in verses 11-14 were established in verse 10; though they were once "instructors" of converts and "teachers" of the Mosaic Law, now they themselves have become converts, i.e. "students" and must go through the process of learning about Christianity. The beginning of this letter (1 Tim 1:6-7) provides further evidence regarding people who want to become teachers of the Law without understanding what they're doing. For further truth, read Dr. A Nyland's masterbied "The Source New Testament with Extensive Notes on Greek Word Meaning." May you who reads this be blessed to the very core of your being, beloved sibling.

[@kirkmavroulis6686]

@@gobnatavI am a native greek speaker however, and so were the church fathers and they do not have your understanding of it whatsoever. John Chrysostom says in his commentary: The divine law indeed has excluded women from the ministry, but they endeavor to thrust themselves into it. And since they can effect nothing of themselves, they do all through the agency of others. In this way they have become invested with so much power that they can appoint or eject priests at their will. Things in fact are turned upside down, and the proverbial saying may be seen realized-“Those being guided are leading the guides.” One would wish that it were men who were giving such guidance, rather than women who have not received a commission to give instruction in church. Why do I say “give instruction”? The blessed Paul did not suffer them even to speak with authority in the church Furthermore Paul appeals to Eve's disobedience and deception as the rationale

[@sydneysmith7651]

Acts 7.49 Heaven is my throne and earth is my footstool, what house will you build for me, or what is the place of my rest? Just wondering why the orthodoxy does not advocate to parishioners to study scripture individually and walk upright in God's sight?