The Priesthood in Orthodox Christianity | Fr. Zechariah Lynch

[@newheightsfilm]

Wow. From a Protestant pastor, I haven’t heard pastors or priests for that matter, talk like that. Beautiful and honest.

[@matthewsiahaan1312]

Become Orthodox.

[@garlicgirl3149]

I remember my protestant pastor explaining how hard it is to pastor. It made me think differently of the "career." It can be glamorized. I don't think parishioners know what all a truly devoted pastor or priest goes through. You know?

[@christopherwatkins7547]

⁠@@garlicgirl3149, I don’t know if I could say with as much conviction as the priest in this video, but much of what he said echoed so much of my thoughts and fears about becoming a Protestant Pastor. Always James 3:1 was in my mind and I wanted there to be more than I “felt” called to the pastorate as I felt the weight of that calling. Long before I became a pastor I knew that within my hands would be the souls of many people and I trembled at the idea that if my desire to be a pastor was mine alone how dreadful it would be for me at judgement. Once I became a pastor it was so increasingly difficult as I knew how unworthy I was to be a pastor. I, who sin again and again and again must now preach to “you” the Gospel and plead with you to change the course and direction of your life. I who having obtained three masters degrees had myriads of answers was always still searching, pondering, wondering, not completely certain about my own questions was now supposed to guide “you” into the Kingdom of God! Was I even going to make it??? Then, the flesh is ready to react too! Oh how I hated it when people would say, “Pastor, don’t you have it pretty easy? I mean all ya gotta do is get up a say some words once a week.” For me, it was like sheesh man, don’t you know I’m pouring over my sermon and the Bible hours upon hours hoping I do well enough that whatever I say is “right” or accurately understood and leads to fruit in your life? Or that another would hear and perhaps be saved? (Orthodoxy has now made clear how much I was a Christian Atheist in practice despite deeply desiring to “win souls for Christ” or “to help others grow towards God in love and maturity” as I sadly operated in such a way that God didn’t actually exist and it was I that needed to “save” others by convincing them of the idea of God as presented in my sermon, teaching, etc.). As that comment came up I grew increasingly frustrated as I’d never get a free weekend (no spontaneous trips like others or just a weekend to chill). I’d lament how my time was always taken for granted (sure you can call me up right now at 7:45 pm in the middle of my time with family to chit chat about nothing for an hour that you just needed to get off your chest! Or how often I opened the church and set up for the event or conference or Bible study alone. Or… Then you’re often alone. You can’t really be friends with anyone like others in the church. Whether others treat you as though you’re too holy for this or that. Or they don’t want their pastor around in case they’re in Sin and don’t want to repent or give up this sin you don’t see on Sunday. When I discovered the Orthodox Church and resigns from my pastorate I felt sad for my people (I hoped they’d follow me) as I truly loved them, but I also had immense peace in knowing I’d be a pastor no more! Truly it is difficult to be a pastor. You should pray for your pastor/priest always! It’s hard, it’s misunderstood, it’s a great burden, and it’s lonely.

[@TOHCACTOHCAC-nh6ch]

@@garlicgirl3149 Sorry only priest is difficult not protestant pastor.

[@danielreese6185]

@@TOHCACTOHCAC-nh6ch Actually, I know a good Orthodox priest who talked about the fact that the reason why so many Protestant pastors get burned out and leave their ministry is because it is still exceptionally difficult, but they do not have the grace of the true Orthodox Church. He talked about how it is always difficult to take on a pastoral role, but in the context of Orthodoxy, the priest can be helped by the grace available. This is why it is good to pray for priests, because this can help them receive more grace to endure.

[@fisharmor]

I have a friend who is an Orthodox bishop. When I was getting to know him he told me when he was made a bishop, he was told that for the rest of his life he'd never eat another bad meal, and he'd never have any real friends. I told him, well, from now on you're my friend first.

[@SpiritKombat]

Orthodoxy teaches Christ better than the rest from my experience

[@perti888]

yeah?

[@Daltron5K]

Im not an orthodox but their online presence has helped me so much. I don’t take it lightly, I want to be one. I just feel that I would be a disgrace to the faith

[@Saint_nobody]

And pray tell, what all is your experience?

[@GMGMGMGMGMGMGMGMGMGM]

@@Daltron5K that's good you feel like that, it means the demons can see you're pointing in the right direction & are sending you prideful temptations to keep you away from Christ's church!

[@Orthodoxy4Life]

@@Daltron5KCome to Christ as you are, don’t try to make yourself perfect ☦️

[@NorthToSouthChannel]

Being a priest is a very high calling. The weight of that is tremendous, I cannot even imagine. but I can sense the love and fear of the Lord in Fr Zechariah. God have mercy on you. I pray He will say "Well done, my good and faithful friend" when He meets you, Fr Zechariah.

[@0i0l0o]

Well put.

[@Michael-wu4om]

I have no doubt.

[@AndyClarkMusic]

Amen.

[@arkadiusw.897]

May the Lord bless this man.

[@shivabreathes]

Amen. I had to stop watching because the weight of his emotions was getting too much for me to bear. I was forced to close my eyes and become prayerful. That's the power of the Holy Spirit, I guess .....

[@dzoniveverig4253]

That's called a priest, a real priest. Greetings from Serbia with a tradition of almost 1000 years of Orthodoxy......

[@Michael-wu4om]

Prayers of Patriarch Pavle please redeem us.

[@legostory33]

I wish to labor for Christ in the same way Fr Zechariah does. My heart is so hardened by my sinful life and I struggle to even fight the weakest of temptations but I desperately wish to labor for Christ in this way. I pray that one day I may become as strong as Fr Zechariah and repay the smallest of what christ has given me.

[@MentholCiC]

God bless you my brother. You have beautifully put in words what was very difficult to articulate.

[@OmBeach]

My suggestion to you (even though you didn't ask for it, apologies), and what has worked for me, get curious about your sins, instead of trying to fight them, ask yourself honestly if there might be a feeling or something you are getting to avoid by sinning? Or maybe you honestly don't care? I find it is much better to be honest with God than try and pretend to be better than we are.

[@saosaoldian6742]

This is so raw and genuine! Terribly Beautiful! What a blessed man of God!

[@daphnepearce9411]

Terribly beautiful

[@saosaoldian6742]

@@daphnepearce9411 you’re right, I fixed it 😊

[@daphnepearce9411]

​@@saosaoldian6742 χρήστης άνεση!

[@intherightlight]

Lord have mercy Lord have mercy Lord have mercy

[@TomJeffreyJr]

What a touching, honest and insightful look into the life of being a priest. Thank you Fr Zechariah and may the Lord have mercy on you… 🙏☦️

[@yogi5482]

This interview and this answer on priesthood is what gave me the confidence to seek out the Orthodox Church and know that it is for me.

[@reyno6826]

Glory to God!

[@user-uq8ic5xe1k]

Same brethren.

[@Michael-wu4om]

May it be blessed. Pray for me.

[@living_orthodox]

There is nothing more true about the priesthood than what Fr Zachariah said so beautifully. It’s suffering, but joyful suffering because it is with, for and in Christ.

[@davefigthe3rd]

If your prayer book has a “prayer for priests”, please pray it regularly.

[@adambenedict6155]

The idea of becoming a Priest terrified many Elders and Monks in the Orthodox Church who would later become saints. Fr. Lynch’s answer gives you a clue as to what caused some to our saints to fear this calling.

[@Michael-wu4om]

Absolutely.

[@zackosborn1731]

It separates the wheat from the chaff.

[@PhilAlumb]

I find this man deeply inspiring and, at the same time, my Heart breaks for him. His raw honesty deserves so much respect. A true Man of God.

[@alibayer4290]

Father Zecheriah is such a powerful man when it comes to make you feel Christ and the essence of Christianity even through a video. I would love to meet that man face to face

[@MarmotCanales]

4:22 "we need priests & bishops that will stand for the Gospel!"

[@gloriaharlowdrummondjesusi7306]

He’s so humble. Very touching 😢God bless you.

[@MajorMustang1117]

Dude.... even I almost cried. That's raw, man.

[@s.s.5025]

He is worshipping Jesus in the beauty of holiness

[@JUVA-r2h]

Your Tears will save you and save us. May God light your path and that you light ours. In Christ +++

[@MrBerglmir]

I saw this in a Short, and fell in love with the honest, sincere, humble and deeply, depply human approach. Thanks so much for sharing parts of your soul with us.

[@dumdumitru8536]

"Honor priests as You honor the saints, because they offer up bread to God. Consider them holy, because I the Lord am holy-I who make you holy." (Leviticus 21:8). People forget this command especially in Romania where they badmouth priests.

[@milandjurleo]

Pomaze Bog Oce Zaharije! Krst je vas tezak koji nosite, ali neka vam zahvalnost svih nas Hriscana na svetu za vasa ucenja bude uteha i snaga. Postrav iz Pravoslavne Srbije! Molitvama Svetog Vladike Nikolaja, Gospode Boze nas, spasi narod tvoj!!!

[@DD-jn1mp]

Makes me appreciate my priest even more!

[@ServantWilliamGeorge7639]

Lord have mercy on Fr. Zachariah. Amen, come Lord Jesus and have mercy on us all.

[@peytonlytle8833]

What a beautiful and touching perspective

[@michellethrockmorton7233]

So beautifully expressed, God bless you Fr.Zachariah Lynch.

[@perti888]

Christ is risen

[@MarmotCanales]

Indeed He is risen!

[@adriannaav]

Truly He is Risen!

[@bhatrhalkno8290]

i pray that we not harden our hearts.

[@kypatriot7037]

I love you Father. Thank you for being so genuine and loving.

[@Scott-fi6ml]

Being a I been a Lay Minister (Salvation Army Soldier) for 12 years and felt unworthy for the way I have lived but after watching this video I know I am not the only one feeling the same way.

[@sooperdt]

A very genuine response, I appreciate it. Very helpful. Of course we are all called to serve and have our crosses to bear which we indeed share with our Lord. There are many orthodox men who are celibate to these days and we sometimes forget celibacy is considered a charism by the church. A heavy cross to bear indeed.

[@Orthodoxi]

God help our Fathers. Through them we spoiled little children are blessed. Oh the glory. How our Lord loves our Fathers! Thank you dear Fathers! Who suffer us to come unto our Lord. ❤❤❤ Christ is risen.

[@kasimirs7979]

Just WOW... ❤

[@prairiesky1144]

You,sir, have a wonderful beautiful heart and spirit! Praise God! The courage, strength and humility of your answer is profound.

[@robmanoughian5645]

This is true grace, bless you brother

[@KyrieEleison667]

KYRIE ELEISON FR. ZACHARIAH ☦

[@ირაკლიმაისურაძე-ნ8დ]

God bless you christ is risen Amen Jesus ❤

[@girlwnoooname155]

In Jesus' name, I command the pain in fr.ZachariahLynch soul to flow into unconditional love for himself & humanity. In Jesus name i ask god to cast out any sarrow from this beautiful earth angel. Holy spirt, I ask that the blood of Jesus be poured over this man, mind body & soul. Amen

[@_Thats_Right]

You're doing the right thing, Father Lynch

[@lykakinchen7601]

❤ We're all unworthy but we can know what is of worth and thats wonderful, like you said about the struggle. It's good to hear you say that marriage is profound. Thank you God. You remind me of my father. I am drawn to Colorado since hearing a Christians music from there, something about it that makes me feel sober.

[@charbelmarche6967]

Wow. Beautifully honest.

[@ryrocks9487]

Beautiful.

[@RootsofOrthodoxy]

Thank you! God bless

[@lindaphillips4646]

CHRIST IS RISEN! I have only begun to start watching this. Must take a few moments to prepare myself for it. On Palm Sunday 2023, a new priest from Ukraine was ordained in our church. He and his family came a couple of years ago. Were/are friends of our rector.. Fr. Vladimir said that he had graduated from seminary as a young man. When his grandmother learned that he hoped to be a priest one day in due time, she cautioned him that he needed to know that for a priest every day is Golgotha. Those words pierced my heart. I often, often remember them. ☦💝📿💝☦

[@unknownguy3345]

Alithos Anesti !

[@fanispatsalides1810]

God bless you Father and God bless you Roots of Orthodoxy! Beautiful words, as always! After the Golgotha comes the Resurection, they both go together hand-in-hand there's no other way. CHRISTOS ANESTI!!! ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ!!!

[@cristyoutube212]

"The more I am a priest,the more I realize how unworthy I am to be a priest" 9:05

[@J.J._777_]

PTSD = Priesthood Traumatic Stress Devotional

[@georgevassalos9666]

Apostle Paul said I fear for my salvation everyday it is as tis man says a fearful thing to be a Priest

[@casiancatrina3580]

Being a priest it's a great gift from God, but also it's a great suffering. I am not a priest, but someone very close to me told me this.

[@LaxDux]

Being a true priest, like this man, must feel like the burden is carrying a mountain on your back

[@orthodox1717]

Bless Father. 🙏🏼

[@TheBnaja]

Lord have mercy

[@Alex-gx5mb]

Glory to Jesus Christ

[@Michael-wu4om]

Glory forever.

[@savagegrok]

This is a man who is carrying his cross. it’s moved me more than any other shouty fist pounding pastor has. Anyone with influence watching, get him on a Jordan Peterson interview

[@IsawCHRIST]

i wish to live as a hermit 😊 🇬🇷

[@SomeStuff9]

I'm so curious what he was thinking about or meant when he said, "You have to prepare to be rejected".

[@lindaphillips4646]

If he follows CHRIST and speaks the Truth, there is no way to avoid rejection from some people, MANY, in fact. But he does this out of profound love...as did Jesus Who suffered everything for us out of LOVE beyond our understanding . CHRIST IS RISEN! ☦💝📿💝☦

[@Michael-wu4om]

He has been horribly rejected.

[@straatpredikant]

9:11 ... o, to have a love like that!

[@onionman_]

Axios!

[@billykstylz]

Kyrie Isou Xriste Eleison ✝️❤

[@joetor1522]

❤❤❤

[@Ettoredipugnar]

☦️☦️☦️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️

[@AJ0223]

I wonder if their wives and children lose out in some way because of their sacrifice

[@frjamesbozeman5375]

The priest’s family carries a heavy burden, for sure. But this isn’t a bad thing. Balance is needed: for the priest, his home is his “first church” and his family is his primary responsibility. Some priests mess this up, and some don’t. Sometimes, even when things are good, the family can experience suffering due to the struggles of the priesthood. Priests need the prayers of their flock and the support of those people so that their families can thrive. In the end, being the family of a priest is truly a great treasure, IF that priest can find a life of prayer and a healthy balance in church and family life. This is a real challenge.

[@joshevans4322]

Very poignant.☦

[@TheOrthodoxPunjabi]

Yh, I don't wanna be a priest...

[@NSCpt540]

Victory Day. Nearly 7 million Ukrainian soldiers and civilians died during WWII. Prime Minister Churchill 🇬🇧 in 1945 paid tribute to the courage and heroism of the Ukrainian people after the Second World War🙏🇺🇦

[@DougMiller-ft7wb]

Love the fake tears.

[@ConradW_]

They are very real...

[@billykstylz]

Wtf???

[@CTdonnner1991]

Hate the hardness of your heart, I pray that is healed.