What It Means To Be An Orthodox Christian | Fr. John Bethancourt

In this video, Fr. John Bethancourt dives into his own personal journey to Orthodoxy coming from an Episcopalian background and describes what it means to be an Orthodox Christian.
Fr. John Bethancourt (Retired)
Founding Pastor of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Santa Fe, NM
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[@Nihit_Arora777]

I'm a former hindu converted to pentecostal protestantism(11 years ago) now eventually on my way to orthodoxy☦️ My desire I may get baptized in orthodox church❤

[@selemonkahasu1189]

That’s amazing

[@eyesee9715]

Fr Seraphim Majmudar at St Lawrence parish in Felton, CA grew up Hindu

[@Orthoindian]

Are you in India Nihit?

[@giovannihernandez7808]

Thats amazing, what made you come to Christ if you don't mind me asking?

[@danielgaley9676]

My desire as well. I have a defiant wife. Pray for us, please.

[@annalynn9325]

Father John has been that bridge into beautiful Orthodoxy for so many, glory to God! Love you, Father John ☦️

[@leslielousma7913]

I was raised with no religion. Starting at 18, I went to nondenominational churches with my boyfriends family. He’s been my husband for 38 years now and we belong to a Methodist church. I feel Orthodoxy calling me at 60😊

[@theophanmackey3414]

Please listen! 😊

[@annelsner6881]

I became orthodox at 82!

[@miketacos9034]

Glory to God, God has been leading you closer to Him step by step.

[@danielgaley9676]

Calling me at 69 years old.

[@ab4363]

What a blessing you are to us Orthodox christians father John. Glory to our Lord, His Grace is dwelling in your heart, what a wonder!

[@dusicazivkovic1654]

I am a member of Serbian Orthodox church,born and christen but I really enjoy all of this teachings, learning something new and deeply enriching my soul,thank you so much,AMEN!

[@aleksandarstavric2226]

you are a member of One Holly Catholic and Apostolic Church - (Orthodox Church) not a Serbian Orthodox church - don't you even know the name of your Church for God sake

[@amybarrmlinar7824]

I was raised Episcopalian and converted to Orthodoxy as an adult. It was the catalyst for me to change my life and find fulfillment. I’m so grateful I made it here. Thank you for this video, it’s very interesting to hear your perspective

[@claregibson2443]

Hi Fr. John! Thank you for your talk. Glory to Jesus Christ! Clare Sondergaard All Saints Abq.

[@daphnepearce9411]

Fr. John! He served divine liturgy a few weeks ago at my parish in Mesa Arizona. He also taught the catechumen/inquire class about the importance of fasting. He joked that since he was our "substitute priest" while our parish priest was on Mt. Athos, that everyone would play hooky on Sunday, lol. But that church was full, as usual. Lovely man. I hope we can see him again.

[@danielgaley9676]

Like Campus Life when I was in High School.

[@jessemwakajumba6552]

Pray for me father, I come from a Pentecostal/non-denomination background, but Orthodoxy continues to beckon for the last 6 years.

[@johncox2284]

Have you read The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware?

[@jessemwakajumba6552]

@@johncox2284 have not, right now I’m in chapter 6 of “The rock and the sand” by Fr Josiah Trenham.

[@elenalele]

I’ve been inquiring into orthodoxy for about a year. Somehow the door is just not opening for me and i still see the scriptures through protestant lenses although my previous beliefs in calvinism for example are in the past. May The Lord guide us.

[@andys3035]

I also came from a Pentecostal background. I was baptized Orthodox last April and my life has been changed and blessed. If you any questions, I'm happy to help. May God guide you and enlighten your path.

[@elenalele]

@@andys3035 how did it happen? I just can’t for the life of me read orthodox doctrine of salvation, justification, theosis etc. from the bible? I believe it but i see protestant beliefs in the bible. It is very confusing!

[@optimisteprime8261]

It's amazing to see how american are attracted to the Easter Orthodox Church.

[@sirweddings]

Fr. John Bethancourt is such a lovely example of our Lord. His testimony will bless all who watch this video. I've had the pleasure of meeting Fr. John and I can honestly say that he exudes the fragrance of Christ! His son also happens to be my priest (Fr. Daniel Bethancourt 😊). Thanks be to God for such prayerful, grace-filled servants in Christ's one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church!

[@craigculwell9177]

True

[@LadderOfDescent]

Fr John please do more of these if you are able. VERY good and helpful God bless you Fr!

[@chrisadams3809]

Love Fr John. Our parish is close with his son Fr Daniel’s parish in North Louisiana.

[@optimisteprime8261]

Gob bless the Church built by Jesus on the Faith of Saint Andrew !!!

[@NavelOrangeGazer]

When I stumbled upon the hesychastic tradition of the Orthodox Church. I knew "this is home, this Truth, as close to God as one can be in this life." It was like a lightswitch where every thing suddenly became clear. All the issues I'd had with former expressions of faith slowly fell away. When I later learned that no expression of western heterodoxy had this expression of communion with God it became clear where the future lay. Our father among the Saints Gregory Palamas pray for all of God's wandering truth seekers that they find their way home to His Church. 🙏☦️

[@OrthodoxChristianTeaching]

Jesus is Alive

[@christarr7006]

Man, having been born Episcopalian I can totally relate to why an honest priest might want to go Orthodox. Heck, first chance I got I went independent fundamentalist Baptist. I bet Orthodox see a massive number of Catholics coming their way with the huge schism their clergy and pope is putting that church through.

[@NavelOrangeGazer]

Former Catholic now happily Orthodox. The last 1000 years of Roman catholic history (and by extension the protestantisms it spawned) is an incoherent mess of contradiction. Definitely not the fruit of the Spirit of Truth.

[@christarr7006]

@@NavelOrangeGazer historically you are 💯. That is something we can ecumenically ( I hate that word) agree on.

[@christarr7006]

@Te.legram.Rootsof_Orthodoxy Do you now? I guess I should warn you, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ and do not put any stock in tradition, much as Jesus did not. I could care less that people have been worshiping in a particular way since the 2nd or Third century. I only follow Christ who is sufficient for me. Having origins in the first century is likewise less important that Jesus spoken words.

[@orthodoxywenatchee2293]

Very blessed to have been part of your ordination Liturgy! Fr. Michael

[@OrthodoxJourney359]

I met Father John my second visit to the Monastery in New Mexico. It’s great to hear his testimony because I’ve never heard it.

[@thekatarnalchemist]

I met him my first time! He was the first priest I ever met. A wonderful man. When did you visit the monastery? I was there last June and October.

[@craigculwell9177]

The Holy Trinity Church and Holy Archangel Michael Monastery have both been a great blessing to our Parish. Grace and Peace to you! ☦️🕊️📖😌

[@RonaldSeese-sx4ow]

It’s a powerful testimony to listen to. And the comment about Protestants believing in a gnostic church is cutting and accurate.

[@NavelOrangeGazer]

There is even a book written by a protestant to other protestants "Against the Protestant Gnostics" due to this tendency.

[@martinbragalone]

Very bizarre to have met father in liturgy and to see him now on a YT video. Good seeing you again here father

[@densaakaldte1]

Lovely talk Father 🔥

[@Raging_Stoic8239]

I believe I have been guided by the Holy Spirit into gaining a hunger for Orthodoxy. I yearn to fast, to prostrate, to perform the Eucharist, and anything else I am required to do to become closer to God. I was raised Baptist and kinda lost my faith when my mother died but now in my early 30’s I came across just a short about Orthodoxy. I scrolled past it of course not thinking anything of it. However I kept coming across these shorts about Orthodoxy then I was getting recommended videos, then I watched one and it has awakened such a hunger in me to know and become close to the Holy Trinity. I have contacted a local Greek Orthodox Church yet they have not responded yet. I’m terrified to just show up lest I be judged.

[@audreymitchell9422]

Brother, don’t be terrified to go…you won’t be judged..🙏☦️

[@Raging_Stoic8239]

@@audreymitchell9422 Thank you friend. I went to my first Divine Liturgy this past Sunday and talked to the Father about converting to Orthodoxy. And you were right. No judgement, just the sweetest, kindest people and the Father was just emanating the love and kindness I imagine Jesus would’ve had when he was walking the earth. Thank you for your comment!

[@andersongoncalves3387]

Very edifying interview. Thank you Fr. John!

[@Locked_in_one_thought]

I've just started watching your videos out of curiosity, being the Russian Orthodox, but I have a question right away: Are there any challenges of being an Orthodox believer in the US? I know that formally there is freedom of faith, but it is also clear to any thinking individual that the pressure on Christianity, especially in the most secular state of our world today, must be tremendous. I can't begin to realize what it's like to be a believer in the States versus Russia, where religious freedom is not only declared but heavily supported by the state, its legislative system, and the fact that the leaders of the country are practicing believers. So maybe you could answer this question about the current challenges US believers deal with in one of your videos further on. Thank you.

[@collierpawlowski7912]

It’s really awesome to hear that Young Life existed when you were in high school! I am in high school and use it as a way to grow closer to Christ!!

[@rail_bender5205]

Excellent

[@Coronet47]

I still have Icons you made as Episcopal Priest shortly before you left to become Orthodox

[@GeorgeSmileyOBE]

I knew Father Bethancourt at St. Paul’s K Street, in Washington, D.C. Half the church members were gay, and half those gay men were closeted, and half were out, and of the militant gay rights movement. The other half were straight, and half were very conservative Anglo-Catholics, Forward in Faith members, etc. Weirdly, half the gays were arch Conservative Anglo-Catholics too. The Rector was Father Daughtry, a barely closeted Anglo-Catholic of the lovely ritualistic school. On staff also were The Head of The Guild of All Souls, Father K., who also went to Orthodoxy, the Antiochean Orthodox, lots of Anglicans jumped at that time, woman’s ordination and gay rights being the major pushes. I latter knew some of Father B.’s former parishioners from Saint John’s College.

[@ntlearning]

Wow. No wander he went Orthodox.

[@GeorgeSmileyOBE]

@@ntlearning He was a helpful model, I was a young strait male, average looking, and a serious Anglo-Catholic. He was a heterosexual priest with a family in the world’s most beautiful liturgical closet. So at least I had an example where Evelyn Waugh was wrong: “Stay away from the Anglo-Catholics. They are all sodomites, every one.” Brideshead Revisited.

[@colek8990]

I have sinned not only against god but against this body he has given me, I'm 19 and am just now converting from life long atheism to orthodoxy but I have two tattoos. I have never been baptized I'm unsure if I should be baptized while I still have them. Currently I'm in college and I don't have that much money, because I was a rebellious teenager I got them when I was 18 so it will take more sessions to get them removed now if I started. Should I wait until I'm older to get them removed because then it will be easier and less expensive or should I start now? I'm scared to tell my church, how can I repent for what I have done? God bless everyone.

[@thekatarnalchemist]

My advice as an inquirer would be to go visit an Orthodox Church or monastery and ask that same question of the priest or abbot.

[@Osafune2]

I have friends who are Orthodox and have tattoos from their former, more errant lives. Let them be a reminder of your repentance and don’t shy away from the church

[@cristinaynoquioortiz6390]

Subtítulos en español

[@GnohmPolaeon.B.OniShartz]

It is to tale far to long getting to a new conclusion because you really like how every person you venerate thinks abouts it. Fight me. I'm so bored Lol flame war? I they're chivalrous.

[@botrosbotrosdief1840]

Talk too much about orthodoxy but no mention of Jesus and what he has done for us.

[@moranaokeoke990]

Its very sad how shalow understanding some have about christianity. No offence. First this is more his testemony, not teology class. Second , He does speak about body of Christ, church he left us and rich teology and teachings that church has. Your understanding is like if you would go on math univercity and ask profesor " hey why dont you speak about 2+2"(Jesus died for us). Every Christian on world should know that. Try to go deeper. If you are really interested in Orthodox understanding im pretty sure there are priests or monks who speak about it. If you wana just keep repeating like a parrots " Jesus died for me im saved", its your choice. God bless you.

[@dorcaswalker1867]

Such priests should be outspoken about the heresies of the Anglican sect and how it’s not Bible adhering and God willed