The 'exciting' spirituality of non-believers vs the dryness of a Christian's Cross

[@mullmonastery]

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[@dublinfitzpatrick7838]

Are you not going to be putting anymore videos on the youtube?

[@lindamcauley4728]

Oh, thank you, thank you Thank God. I need to hear these talks everyday. My sin can overwhelm me daily. Hour by hour, minute by minute. Please, please pray for the salvation of the world, for the drug addicts, the prostitutes, the homeless, the rejected and all those who suffer 🙏

[@brodmitkase]

Amen friend, Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us all!

[@OrthodoxChristian809]

The world scares me 😢 there are very strange things going on these days. I don't even recognise it now ☦️🙏🕊️

[@mullmonastery]

Courage, my dear one. 'God is with us' - as we sing daily during Lent. God is with us! What greater power can there be?

[@evaschroeder4614]

At times I hate this world.

[@zimtage1744]

Evil walks the earth. We can all feel it. We can all see it.

[@Athanasius1975]

Agreed

[@d0g_0f_Christ0s]

Thank you Father Seraphim, for over 3 decades as a protestant I have carved a god & saviour in my own image, I'm astounded at how easy it's been to believe my own lies based on my private interpretation of scripture. Even since being led to the Orthodox faith, way, church my conceit relentlessly interferes in everything I do & say, even typing this, Lord have mercy. God has promised to finish what He started, if us Protestants would humble ourselves to admit our error, mine more in number than my brain cells, then hope in the crumbs that fall from our Lord's table is all we need on this 'royal path' this true body of Christ teaches. I am nothing but for the Lord's command of my breath & heartbeat, I would rather never feel again than feel the joy of sin for a single minute. Praise God for His mercy endures forever. Thank you Father Seraphim, you are clean air to my rotting lungs, God bless & keep you, and your beautiful Christ praising words. Amen.

[@MJS2376]

God bless you and Our Most Holy Theotokos guide the hearts and minds of our Protestant friends and families to accept the one true Orthodox Christian faith. ☦️

[@GimbalLocksOnly]

☦️

[@mikebaker2436]

What an appropriate icon to have this talk next to.

[@dschmid8845]

A friend of mine who I went to school with decades ago lost his faith in Christ and got mixed up with eastern spiritualism. Now I hear he’s trying to write a book on eastern spiritualism. I pray every day for his conversion, asking our Blessed Holy Mother of God for her assistance in bringing him back to the Christian faith. After several months of prayer, not much has changed it seems. But I will continue to pray, because I believe in prayer and that God is listening. Perhaps God has a plan.

[@zoilife3929]

May our Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have merci on your Friend!🙏🏻

[@emmaschauer5409]

Don't give up, my dear sibling in Christ. Sometimes we have to hit rock bottom before we are open to hearing the Truth.

[@brandonhall9959]

If you believe in Christ go with him, your friend is also on a spiritual journey, it can take you to many places, sometimes to heaven other times hell. Remember it's all apart of it. Take it from me Ive tried it all, the good and the bad. It takes feeling things out in your own way at times, god has a strange way of bringing you back. Don't fear my friend, have faith.

[@ln9462]

Father, please pray for me for healing

[@mullmonastery]

May God bless you and heal you, dear one - inside and out, in soul and body.

[@allisonsmith7794]

The most exciting moment of my life was when I realised that the Son of God had opened up the way into his Father's presence by laying down his life on the cross. I realised the depth of my sin in rejecting Him and simutaneously felt the burden of that sin lifted as God wrapped his loving arms around me. That opened up access to riches that endure when all the alternative "spiritualities" of the world prove empty and crumble to dust.

[@Clarinetboy82]

Thank you Father! I needed to hear this today! As always, your messages come at a time when I most need to hear them! Glory to God!

[@elenahelen8958]

Ditto from me, Father.

[@mullmonastery]

Glory to God indeed, dear one. Nothing good comes from us, it is all His gift.

[@tracieclark8546]

Me too

[@mritchie85]

@@mullmonastery Amen

[@patredman3733]

“What is our aim but to find the salvation of our souls” “it’s not our emotion that will save us but the TRUTH of the One that we follow” Amen, by Gods mercy 🙏

[@caiusballad4162]

Rightfully and legitemly said words, redemption is the gift of God to men who have mistaken and have recognized as so, and now seeks complete rebirth from all sins and lies.

[@mkeenan1955]

Thank you Father. I am grateful that you so clearly elucidated the falseness and evil of the so-called New Age. Here in the US it so pervasive everywhere. Yes, we must distance ourselves from it. (Fr Seraphim Rose foresaw it and wrote about it in his book “Nihilism”, which I recommend reading. He was especially knowledgeable because, before his conversion, he was on the scene in the 60s in SF, California, where he was even a student of Alan Watts.)

[@emilya9485]

Dear father thank you so much for the message❤️. It is very dear to my heart. I was one of this person's friends 3 years back, all this new age spirituality is evil and a lie from the pit of hell. I was blinded to it until the Lord saved me. Glory to God.

[@brittani6720]

the dryness was so welcome after wading and exploring all different religions when I was young and even more massively ignorant, after understanding on a direct level that He is truly the only way, no other resonance was felt in all the years of witchcraft I practiced, nothing compares to my brief experience of the Presence of God. The Dryness soothed my heart, and now I chase its pure feeling and turn away from sin. I could never repay all the blasphemy I committed in this life formerly as a witch, but I am so gracious of being shown He is real

[@ryrocks9487]

Our excitement will, Lord willing, come later…at the success of our hard spiritual struggle. ☦️

[@ioanaradu6106]

Bucurie! Câtă bucurie, cât de mult ne mângâie cuvântul dumneavoastră, Părinte drag Serafim ! Dumnezeu sa va răsplătească! Doamne, ajută!

[@mullmonastery]

Cu Domnul inainte, oriunde ne poarta El pasii.

[@anna.iakobidze]

I hope your health condition improved, Father. May you be blessed, asking your blessings 🙏

[@Aquamarinegreen]

People: Father is very ill and needs our prayers. Storm heaven for his recovery and return to good health. Father Seraphim please know we all love you, praying for you. Sending you every healing and blessing. Please God and Saints in heaven, restore our beloved brother to health and all goodness. 🔥💪🙏🏻🌹✝️. Saint Panteleion pray for him.

[@littlesoul8908]

9:36 .....You are not following a God you've created according to your own image, the image of your falleness.....You are trying to follow God who was REVEALED to you in the Gospel..../ Bang on.🙂/

[@terrycarriepiker3383]

The new paganism is secularism. Thank you for this message ☦️🙌🏼

[@vongillan]

All I know is that I know nothing. No man knows God. We run around as human beings "knowing " that our version of who or what God is is the right one. No man knows God. All I know is that I know nothing. Seek God Fear God. Praise God.

[@positivevibeskx1102]

Very good question and like always wise answer by Father Serafim ,thank you Dear Father Serafim I found this discussion very useful,I ve been earlier surrounded by " spiritual" friends as well and felt dry ,exactly the way it's mentioned , now I prefer to be alone ,reading Orthodox literature and ,no confusions....

[@mullmonastery]

There is a fine line between our calling to give witness and the need to keep a (spiritually) healthy distance from the world. At times, we cross this line one way or the other, but - ultimately - we must always watch not to lose our way. be blessed, dear one.

[@lindamcauley4728]

Thank you so much for your wonderful teaching. God bless you 🙏

[@TraceyRolandelli]

Praying for Fr. Seraphim and the community 💙

[@sandragrace4613]

Hello. Are there any updates on Fr. Seraphim? Is he ok?

[@mariami2670]

Christ is risen! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@alexhartland2469]

Dear Father, thanks for your videos. Please pray for me God bless

[@simonaune2829]

There is something g with the way you say the name Christ, Father. Not your pronunciation, your accent or dialect - I am talking about the strength, the passion and the devotion. Every time I hear you say the name Christ, it's like a dart, flying straight and piercing into something deeper within me. It hurts a little. Not a lot, but the way a medicine may sting, even though it will cure you. The strength, passion and devotion in which you say the name Christ is also quite comforting. Thank you, Father and Mull Monastery, Scotland, for the fantastic video.

[@johnpaulhumphrey2981]

It never clicked that feeling dry was a spiritual experience! I always learn something from your videos.

[@archangel7628]

I tattoed myself plenty of times in a period of time when I was in great pain and anger. I regret doing it now since I've repented and am repenting from my ungodliness. It is pretty hard to remove them so I'm in a dilemma.

[@davidmaligo5647]

The "big four" sins, as I like to call them, have always existed since the fall of Adam and Eve. These sins are sexual immorality, sorcery, idolatry, and murder. These sins are the worst. Of course, there are other sins like bullying, theft, drunkenness, and the usage of drugs that are bad too. Gosh, just by writing this I'm realizing how much of a sinner I am. Please pray for me.

[@mullmonastery]

May God bless you and enlighten you, dear David. May He lead your way out of all darkness and into His Light.

[@davidmaligo5647]

@@mullmonastery Thank you Fr. Seraphim

[@bruno-bnvm]

Amen father, thank you.

[@roblemeire9441]

Thank you, Father, for your wise words which resonate with my life as well. Like yesterday, when I felt bad in church during mass and when I felt many other present people in a similar unhappy state as myself (the first time I experienced that). Now I know better than before why, and why it's part of the spirituality of the Cross. Do you agree that as a christian, our happyness should not depend on our daily life, but on our christian spirituality? So ideally, we should always be happy, whatever we encounter, which is, surely, only saints are really able to do.

[@Anna-Monika13]

Am Greek Orthodox, am living in Germany, I would like to say , I love your Videos, and the way u r talking, the way you explain, .. God bless you ☦️

[@evaschroeder4614]

You are so right! I had dry spells. I felt depressed empty. But that's part of it.

[@sultanaxavier7108]

and those people will always pretend to be happier than they actually are! let's not forget this.

[@toastedsniper9248]

Wow Father, you walk in the footsteps of Christ. Amazing. God bless you. Thank you.

[@toastedsniper9248]

Cooperation to fulfill God's vision was what Jesus wanted for the Samaritan village. You are amazing at cooperation. You sow many seeds to be reaped when their time has come. How beautiful, powerful, inspiring to see God's work being done. You make many, including myself, feel less alone in working for God's vision. Thank you.

[@Beautifullybroken868]

I would distance yourself and seek God through prayer, fasting and Bible study. If you don’t feel the desire, ask God for it. I had to do that until my faith was firm and the foundation built. And even then ask the Father for discernment and wisdom for when you are around them.

[@elvenkind6072]

I remember I tried to google Father Seraphim, that talk here, and I found some very harsh, unforgiving, hateful things said about him, but I understood that these messages from Eastern Europe and some very right-wing, "conservative" circles, probably don't understand the message being told make so much sense for people like me, that have grown up in Western Europe, Scandinavia, where Atheism are so strong, and at least I, here, are very happy that I get the regular conversations online on KZbin, that talk clearly about Christendom, from someone that don't pretend to be "holier-then-though", nor talk that way, and this I respect a lot.

[@hexaarmortaga9957]

His humbleness is proof that what he is saying is the truth. The fact people can be upset at such a delicate soul who simply try’s to help in anyway he can is proof that it’s correct.

[@sandragrace4613]

Amen. Thank you so much, Fr. Seraphim. 🌸🌸✨✨🕯️🕯️✨✨🌸🌸🙋🏻‍♀️

[@tallese]

Thank you Father. Blessings from the land of 7 churches.

[@raydamoiseau]

Please, you GOOD SOUL and HUMBLE MAN, keep doing your contents from your HE(ART) alright ? 😎🙏⭐☀🎸🕊🔱💖

[@tallmikbcroft6937]

Thank you Bless Father. This is an experience I can relate with. Esp this week. Thank you

[@nsofokli]

I HAVE YOU IN MY HEART...PLEASE PRAY FOR ME!

[@greatpharoh0303]

Thank Blessed Father....your voice is so sweet and gentle

[@nassergabriel4778]

Thank you Father

[@anitaandazola2029]

Thank you and the Holy Spirit for your clarity. I will listen to this over and over.

[@remahunt4277]

Thank you, dear Father Aldea, for your videos which are always informative and from your heart. God Bless you and keep you every minute of every day.

[@mullmonastery]

May we all be blessed, dear Rema. May Christ keep all of us in His love and mercy.

[@DiegoAndrade-ig1qs]

Thank you very much! I live in Bolivia and there is no orthodox church here. But listening to the wisdom of Christ and understanding our constant strife is very helpful to say the least. Thanks again.

[@vince3292]

Thank you Father Seraphim for this most loving, well articulated Homily. Wishing you and everyone at Mull Monastery a Very Blessed Sunday.💫 All Praise and Glory to God.💫 🙏🙏🙏

[@Samantha-rv4ss]

Dear Father Seraphim I feel so so blessed to have found your channel. I am not orthodox Christian but I have always known God to be in my heart ♥️ since I was a little girl. I really enjoy your videos 🙏 thank you Father Seraphin😊God Bless you 🙏

[@greatstyle6343]

I enjoy your videos so much father ! Thank you for always being so nonjudgmental and open and caring with your answers.

[@KindMercenary]

Beautiful video! Much Love Fr. Seraphim!

[@davidyess1]

Thank you, Father. Your words bring me life and encouragement.

[@gretagarbo1119]

It really is tremendously difficult,Fr.!But,at least,if I m falling,if I m failing all the time,maybe there s someone else,somewhere,who,somehow,is standing for me,so that I might not be completely lost.My cross is nothing withoutJesus' Cross.There s always Someone,Who,discreetly and silently,bears my cross,your cross,the cross of the whole world.💔🙏

[@susanmann8643]

❤ Beautiful reflection!! Wish everyone could hear this. God bless you..

[@kiriaioulia]

So much to hear in this! Thank you for the question and thank you for the answer. Bless you all.

[@ruthshivani]

As ever appreciated, and heard from within - divine love and respect for your shared wisdom, INsight and caring 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@mullmonastery]

That is so kind, dear Ruth. May God bless all of us and enlighten us through each other's gifts, so we may all be saved.

[@DarkaniaWorks]

Thank you!

[@knekki.]

I have been desperately struggling lately, with the urge to return to the paganism that I practised in my youth, for the spiritual "richness" like you mention here. I will even admit that I have had many moments of weakness, and I have slipped many times. Near the end of your video, I began to cry a little bit, although I do not know exactly why. All I know is that I am grateful to have found this video, this little gem of much needed guidance today. Thank you.

[@caiusballad4162]

Absolutely the same as you

[@dublinfitzpatrick7838]

You have come to the right place then.🙏

[@davidkehrer7342]

Thank you and God bless you father.

[@amirasaad630]

Dear father Thank you for the message As mentioned in your video I find myself distancing more and more from from non believers and I can no longer pretend to be someone I’m not or hold conversations even that are not of the same mindset but at the same time we are called to love everyone and be nonjudgmental and embrace people and bring them to Christ and I find the balance between the two very hard - any thoughts? Thank you

[@positivevibeskx1102]

Dear Amira, before I read your comment I also thought about the same thing....

[@mullmonastery]

My dear Amira, thank you for asking the question. My instinct is to say that distance from the world is not only an option, but a necessity. At the same time, that distance must be motivated by love and the desire for salvation (ours and that of those from whom we separate), not by hatred or judgement. I'll pray about it and maybe I'll receive some clarity about it so I may talk about it in a future video. May we all be blessed, dear one.

[@rebornrovnost]

Remember the teaching of Saint Jude Thaddeus. To some, practice mercy, reprehending them, to others, announce them the imminent judgement of the Lord, and despise even the piece of garment you possess that is stained by their influence. Many think to live in Christ is to unite with all, but as Our Lord, we show all the Truth, letting others hate or love us because of it. However, to speak to them the Truth, when called for, is to love them perfectly, infinitely more than the world's view of "love" that we have, where we should embrace other's mistakes, not correcting them, rather allowing them to remain in their sin. Remember: to love your brother is to speak the Truth to your brother, with the intention of bringing him to the knowledge of God and repentance. And to embrace and nurture your brother's sin is to hate him, and to hate yourself, because you allow him to remain guilty before God's judgement, also becoming guilty yourself, for omitting the Truth from him.

[@LofiA2ura]

@@mullmonastery @Amira Saad I pray for the non-believers when I am closing my vigil in the night, as all sleep and I stand calm in prayer in the darknes. I only call their names for the Lord and beg his Divine Love for them. I do not mention their "problems", the Lord knows them as He knows me. And He will do the work, in due time, as He sees they are cared for, they are precious, while recognized as being created by His Love. The prayer in the night is mighty, try it! The Lord has special joy in it. God bless you all. Again, and again, and again. Father, praying for your health as well!

[@copticchannel4294]

" I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world." 1 Corinthians 5: 10 " Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" 2 Corinthians 6: 14 We should somehow seek the guidance of the Holly Spirit to make a balance between the 2 commandments

[@caiusballad4162]

Your videos are always awesome

[@katkat2340]

Thanks be to God 🙌

[@davidmaligo5647]

The boringness of the cross, yet the Orthodox Christian religion is the true religion.

[@peteh2603]

God Bless you & Thank you Father ☦️🙏🏻

[@OrthodoxChristian809]

Please pray for Fr Seraphim because he is currently sick in hospital with a spinal infection 😢🙏may his recovery be full and uneventful 🙏☦️

[@carltondexter1651]

Thank you and. God bless you, Father!

[@caseymckee6856]

Please pray and offer some sufferings and sacrifices for my salvation brother. I have lived a sinful life. Thank you!

[@josephk4310]

The Christian ☦️ Life is not for Entertainment Purposes. It is a way of life to get us through Theosis unto Deification.

[@Lexie810-b5r]

Amen 🙏 🙏 🙏

[@gatoblancomx]

God bless you father Seraphim

[@johncassles7481]

Very helpful advice as usual. Have a blessed lent father.

[@jamierusche6419]

Thank you

[@davidhensley76]

Yes, blessed Father.

[@ritakevorkian2649]

Thank you father❤🙏❣

[@vali6763]

Thank you Father Seraphim!

[@johnpeterson7264]

Excellent. Thank you for this sermon.

[@pepecopter]

Thank you Father.

[@girihajifan5321]

Thank you very much for yet another deep and insightful video, Father. May God bless all of us.

[@vivien7586]

Such a great and clear explanation, it's rare, thanks

[@Michel-ov1sv]

Thank you dear Father Seraphim. We are blessed with your words of spiritual wisdom clearly distinguishing what is Christian especially orthodox and what is of the world, vague, confusing and deceiving. This video helps me to be better in discernment of what is good and what is evil. I humbly pray that I may use this information to remind my self to be on the right track and to use it should somebody asks for an advise.

[@marvelator8303]

This was a timely video, seriously

[@eden7736]

Thankyou, Father, for delivery of such eloquent truths, I'm always happier, for it . 🦋🌈🕊

[@RuthRandoms]

I love this discussion. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this.

[@kimthetruthofit6965]

Father our is a realm beyond imagination A glimpse of our trueself at our beloveds transfiguration. Our salvation is a wealth beyond measure for surely it is our eternal treasure. Followers of Christ are Sons of Light On our journey to the richness of eternal life. God bless

[@motivation01625]

I needed this today thank you Father

[@glisha8200]

Please make the videos a bit longer if possible its of huge help during these times...

[@mullmonastery]

Thank you for your suggestion, dear one. I am actually purposely trying to record shorter videos, because the last thing I want is to waste everyone's time.

[@glisha8200]

​@@mullmonastery oh dear father, how can time be wasted when talking about Christ? In recent times more than ever before, the confusion and fear from going either too far to the right or left is something i would love to make a bit easier sience i bashed my head on the wall way too many times, any advice on how to learn without the unnecessary pain (sometimes it is needed but not always - correct me if wrong) thank you for your efforts anyways, even if you dont have the time to answer to this...

[@evaschroeder4614]

Hard is the way that leads to life.

[@mikaelrosing]

Could you talk about saint gabriel of georgia he is a cool saint i love that guy

[@cyprianperkins]

Thank you for the helpful words, father. The icon behind you is the most beautiful icon of the Annunciation that I've ever seen.

[@mullmonastery]

That is very kind of you to say, dear Cyprian. It is indeed a beautiful icon of the Annunciation and we are very grateful to the people who gifted it to the Monastery. May God bless them and enlighten them.

[@adrianhunt6651]

Your path is your own in your heart you will know to many lables in my humble a pinion

[@Livingtabitha]

Hi I am new to the Orthodox faith and I find myself full of so much doubt during my studies. Constantly asking questions about why this is the right way and why everyone else is wrong? It’s pretty constant. I feel like I’m always trying to convince myself of something. Is this normal? I come from an agnostic maybe slightly atheist background though I was raised as a Protestant. I think what the heck am I even doing like maybe I’m wasting my time. It’s discouraging always having these thoughts in my head.

[@sultanaxavier7108]

those people are not honest about their experiences at all! christian or not, moments of excitement/apathy are normal those people are just placing excitement on a pedestal. they ALWAYS get bored of their spirituality after a while, and then go after the next shiny object. that's how excitement works! it's fleeting. i'm an ex new ager, so i know this pretty well. they are simply overestimating good-feeling states. you can get that by exercising more, and trying different hobbies i'm not denying the obvious demonic influence, i'm just saying that you aren't really missing anything out. better go to heaven and just add more play into our lives 🙏🏻

[@pesteenpopa]

parece que está experimentando lo que Evagrio Pontico llamó "acedia".

[@caroleelagrone9729]

PLEASE READ THIS! IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU! I recently was watching A Program about St.Marie-Julie Jahenny when they said ,"When She died her Heart kept Beating!!! Wow I said I need to tell you about This...But then he said, The same thing happened to Joan Of Arch!!! And they could not stop it!!! The executioner was angry about this!!! So After He had to finally order Her heart and entrails to be removed and tossed into ,I think he said the river! So! Your Mother was surely in good company With her beating heart!!! 🤗🤗 🤗 I hope you enjoyed hearing this! 🤗

[@mattwatson6259]

Father, Father! Can you please discuss the Western rite offered by Antioch? There are orthodox revised versions of the offices from the book of common prayer. The Orthodoxwest site has the information. I hope to hear your thoughts in time

[@mattwatson6259]

Also, Farher, what do you think of St. Dunstan's plainsong? There is a recording of it here on youtube!

[@aenigmatica8]

The demons will let you have a good time for only as long as it takes to get you hooked. Do not worry about how great your friends seem to be doing and worry about why are you doubting your faith? Are you praying and going to church and seeking Him??

[@caedon6543]

How would you all talk to a person who believes God is the "ultimate source" almost like all the power God is, without any of the personification. They believe God exists to be used, that God is good energy, but just energy.

[@volusian95]

A really great question. You hear a lot about everyone falling away into atheism, which is all too common, but lived experience shows that the 'spiritual vacuum' tends to be filled with something a little different, something without a set name. Even the term 'new age' isn't always entirely accurate. But I'll bet that nearly everyone here knows exactly what the questioner is talking about, followers of a secular god who is there when you need him and won't judge you when you don't want him around.

[@gomertube]

This is a good point. It’s not really atheism that fills the vacuum but more often just a blind wandering about, letting impulse and feelings drive all choices. I am guilty of having I have lived this way most of my life. The term ‘wastrel’ comes to mind.

[@brecruz4832]

Does anyone know how Fr. Serafim is doing?

[@Beautifullybroken868]

How do you send a question?

[@richardbaker-qu6xy]

Hey my friend, I'm a Christian not by worldy spiritual standards, I try to get closer to God everyday, I asked Christ into my heart a few years ago, but what's your opinion on cigarettes? I struggle with smoking cigs occasionally, God bless