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Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me a sinner.

@ProtectingVeil

5 жыл бұрын

Amen...on all of us!

@fnd111

5 жыл бұрын

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.

@eetuerrenor5757

4 жыл бұрын

@@fnd111 Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner and save me.

@davidjohnzenocollins

3 жыл бұрын

Jesus, save me. Mary, help.[short, sweet, seven syllables]

@williambaker2779

2 жыл бұрын

Focus on a relationship with Jesus Christ

As a member of an Antiochian Orthodox church, I get services in English and Arabic. When I attend Vespers at a Romanian Orthodox church near my house, I get services in mostly Romanian with a little English. On rare occasions, I will attend services at the Greek Orthodox church in my city, so I get services in mostly Greek with a little English. When I visited the Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco, I got services in mostly Russian with a little English.Every moment is church is a blessing, regardless of the language.

@carolweaver3269

3 жыл бұрын

I only wish my husband would agree as he dd at first that it would not matter the language as we felt the Lord in our midst. He has trouble with that. The language difference. I can only pray. Our spiritual director just said for him to come *both of us* He may well come around better with time? But he is giving me trouble. Makes me feel uncomfortable sometimes knowing how he feels. Prayers will go up and hopefully things new will change. The COVID lockdown did not help.

@voievod9260

Жыл бұрын

Is the Antiochian church part of the Coptic church or part of Eastern Orthodox church?

@Saint_Ann

Жыл бұрын

@@voievod9260 The Antiochian church is part of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The five ancient patriarchates are Rome, Constantinople, Alexandra, Antioch, and Jerusalem. I now currently attend a Serbian Orthodox Church in which we have almost no Serbs and our priest speaks Greek and English.

@voievod9260

Жыл бұрын

@@Saint_Ann I am happy for you my friend

When I converted, there was precious little available in English. A priest told me "first one must learn the language of love, and all other languages are secondary." When the local parish saw I was sincere, and not going anywhere, they adopted and loved me.

@ProtectingVeil

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks to God! It's an important lesson to learn...God blesses our obedience, humility, and love for others...

@liberty.b.r

Жыл бұрын

That is great, and God bless! :)

@makloch

Жыл бұрын

Wise words!

“The Church isn’t here to meet your needs. You’re here to meet the Church’s needs.” I just discovered this channel today and it is a great idea! Thank you for capturing pearls of wisdom and making them so accessible.

@JonGabriel

5 жыл бұрын

I wrote down that quote in my notes. That attitude is one of the reasons I'm converting to Orthodoxy.

@ProtectingVeil

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks to God! Glad you found us, Maria!

@tomandrew6586

5 жыл бұрын

mariatanzania I agree. That caught my attention too.

@dansgone2229

5 жыл бұрын

@shadow, exactly...we’ll said. Of the Church is a spiritual Hospital, it is here to meet our needs (but not necessarily our tastes). We have free will to choose which Orthodox Churches do that best.

@ronalddelavega3693

4 жыл бұрын

@@ron_grimes I agree. I have no problem with sacrificing and I understand theres no perfect parish, priest or christian . My problem is when a parish gives you most of the liturgy in a language you cant understand, when cofessing with the parrish priest its like confessing to a wall which nevers asks you to do anything about your repeated sins and when during covid they stop all contact with the laity and then they expect you to nake a reservation to be able to get confession and another to be able to attend the divine liturgy. Then you have this ecclessiological schism between russia and constantinople and the EP saying he is first without equals and you say to yourself that is why you left Rome and you want to go to a greek church cause you liked the priest but you are afraid that if you go you are breaking church canons that anathemize schismatics I am home in Orthodoxy I love it and I am at peace but the question is, is Orthodoxy at home with itself? Is it at home with me and converts like me?

"its not what you get from it, its what you put into it" sacrifice my friends,

@joannajones8533

5 жыл бұрын

Absolutely! Totally agree with you :) sacrifice..which is SO difficult!

@Lucid_Waking

4 жыл бұрын

"sacrafice my friends." Or "sacrafice, my friends."?

@djondjon

3 жыл бұрын

@@Lucid_Waking Sacrifice, my friends!

@ramario6195

6 ай бұрын

Outstanding!!! Well said 😃

I was born and raised Greek Orthodox. I will die a Greek Orthodox Christian with faith and love in my beloved King and God. I love that the Orthodox faith has molded to a specific people and their culture. I love my Orthodox brothers and sisters from around the world. As a head alter boy I had the great honor to witness Romanian, and Coptic weddings and baptisms that needed to use our church. Even though I could not understand the language of the services it was a moving and beautiful experience. God bless us. God have mercy on us.

@jm7578

7 ай бұрын

I attend a Greek Orthodox church in upstate New York. I wish you and your family a beautiful holiday season. God bless you all.☦️☦️☦️

Great reminder of the 12 Christ chose and their shortcomings. The Holy Apostles. That is what the Lord started with but after Pentecost, these men gave all. God can transform a person. It is the hope I cling to: God have mercy on me, a sinner.

@ProtectingVeil

5 жыл бұрын

Yes, indeed...it puts things in perspective...Amen...on all of us!

Eloquent words by my old friend, Father Michael. Abbot Tryphon

@DChristina

3 жыл бұрын

Love you both! Have both of your books 📚 what a blessing 💕Thank you

Спасибо большое! С праздником братья и сестры! С Рождеством Христовым!

*I find that the Serbian Orthodox Church in the U.S. to be very welcoming to Americans as they generally translate their services in English in order to accommodate your average American.*

@ProtectingVeil

5 жыл бұрын

Yes, indeed! I think all the jurisdictions are moving that way, each at its own pace!

@joshua_wherley

5 жыл бұрын

Agreed! My home parish is OCA, and the few times I've visited Serbian parishes, I still felt at home.

@SLVBULL

5 жыл бұрын

Ljubavi moja. Żiva istina

@NadaVerse

5 жыл бұрын

@Joshua Wherley *That’s awesome....Serbs embrace newcomers in Fellowship and Prayer.....but also in their various cultural celebrations....Good People, Rustic Food, Music & Dancing..and the next thing you know, you’re at the Altar wearing your Wedding Crowns and then before you know it...you find yourself planning a Christening..😉*

@NadaVerse

5 жыл бұрын

@SLVBULL *☦️KOSOVO🇷🇸JE🇷🇸SRBIJA☦️* *.....Nema Predaje!❤️*

One of the best & most re-assuring theological talks I have ever heard. Thank you.

@ProtectingVeil

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks to God! Glad you enjoyed it, Joan!

I had never thought about the imperfections of the early church, but it totally makes sense. We are all sinful humans, and God helps us grow as individuals in His holy church. Thank you Father

I am proud of being Great Ethiopian Orthodox. Thanks father for nice interview

@someguy9571

4 жыл бұрын

@Shadow Most likely not talking about the same kind of "pride".

You know what I hate the most? My sinfulness and when I’m so focused and enjoying every word from the father and here pops a KZread ad.

All right - I am moving to his parish and converting to Orthodoxy! :-) One of the most inspiring and loving priests I have heard

The Fr. was so humble yet so wise. I wish i lived near him to seek spiritual advice and just talk to him about life in general. God bless that wise priest

I love being Greek Orthodox

@rodouladoulos1548

5 жыл бұрын

RADICAL GREEK.....so do I.........PATRIDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@fnd111

5 жыл бұрын

I hope you are Greek. You would not love it if you are not.

@radicalgreek99

5 жыл бұрын

@@fnd111 I attended a Great church where the priest speaks English and Greek does both Services for the people who don't speak Greek as well. I am 100% Greek both my parents are Greek and I lived in Greece for 17 years and now I live in the United States. It's not really hard to find an Orthodox church that teaches in English language.

@radicalgreek99

5 жыл бұрын

@@rodouladoulos1548 ella

@martinstrange3898

5 жыл бұрын

@@fnd111 I've done all right, and I'm not Greek. Although I did come through the OCA to GOA, so I had a little bit of a head start. I imagine if I'd gone straight to GOA I'd have been very lost, confused, and left out.

Great video with important points regarding the Church. We live in a society filled with consumerism, and it's easy to apply these principles when we go out "church shopping"...having been raised in a Protestant church, I spent years doing this. People spend a lot of time picking out a church, much like they would when picking out a restaurant for a night out....I'm looking at coming into the Orthodox Church, but it's hard to convey to family members why I would do such a thing when they are still stuck in the "church shopping" phase, which comes as a combo with "the only thing important is my personal relationship with Jesus". Orthodoxy in the USA seems difficult because of the consumerism and individualistic culture we live in....but I pray more people give it a chance!

@ProtectingVeil

5 жыл бұрын

Christ is Risen! Indeed...Amen to that!

Most impressive. I myself, am a credentialed Baptist pastor. I am retired now, but worship and serve in an Evengelical Presbyterian Church. I identified with this fellow follower of Jesus Christ because what I witnessed was a man who spoke from his heart. He seemed to me to be the man who truly is a man who is marked with goodness and faith. My aim and prayer is for me to be as such also. Honestly, I don't know much about the Orthodox doctrines, but I do know how we are love, encourage and assist all who follow Jesus Christ. I look forwad to more insightful videos.

@SLVBULL

4 жыл бұрын

Kelly Dunn one orthodox priest described orthodoxy like this. Only the Orthodox Church has a full set of keys on the piano, which allows the fullness of the music to be experienced. All other denomination have less or no keys at all ie. wealth gospel teaching, etc.

Wow. The last 4 minutes is amazing.

This is probably the best explanation of my hidden questions. I now understand. Always a pleasure listening to these videos.

@ProtectingVeil

3 жыл бұрын

Glory to God!

That was awesome! I love the father’s wisdom. Orthodoxy has a more human character not found in Traditional Roman Catholicism (Sedevacantism). This is one of many reasons why I’m pursuing Orthodoxy.

@etcwhatever

Жыл бұрын

There are Traditional Roman Catholics who are not by any means sedevacantists. Actually the only group i know that would match what you say is the FSSPV.

Listening to Father Oleksa has been a blessing. God knows how much I needed to hear it.

My hugs for all orthodox!

Converted in 74. This good servant of the lord speaks the truth

The amazing thing about icons Father Michael is that the mistakes we see through the painting remind us of the humanity of the saints.

Orthodoxy is true the one and only way to OUR GOD AND SAVIOUR WHO HAVE CREATED THIS WORLD JESUS CHRIST THE BEGGINING AND THE END THE ALPHA AND OMEGA THE FIRST AND LAST OUR GOD JESUS CHRISTUS. PROUD TO BE ORTHODOX IN THE BEGGINING WHEN I WAS BORN THANKS JESUS CHRIST AMEN.

Thank you, this helped....I....have read the Orthodox Way, it made me laugh that you mentioned it, and I don't feel as confused and alone. The local church is Serbian, and I am wayward and fearful, I should just give them a call....when there were only 12 members, wow that really helps. Thank you Father Oleksa.

I m catholic from India There are so many Catholics in India and so many Spiritual Charismatic Retreat Centers in many parts of India and in other countries as well

My church now uses more Romanian than English, it is not a concern for me particularly as, although I do not speak Romanian, the liturgy speaks to the soul in any human language, however, and I have noticed a decline in Non-Romanian converts and catechumens. It is a shame as my church has definitely become less ‘accessible’.

I am so lucky. The only accessible church in our area is an OCA (Orthodox Church of America), so ethnically it is actually American with a Russian heritage. Love my church!

My wife is from Bulgaria. Her father is from Bulgaria. They came to Fairlawn Ohio. Saint Thomas eastern orthodox church in Fairlawn Ohio. Her father is the parish priest. Im a convert.English is our language. Subdeacon Chris😇

Am I the only one to notice? Several times, he talks about the choice of language as being relevant to the spiritual needs of the parishioners, but then at 7:41 he suddenly changes direction and says, "the Church is not here to meet your needs, you are here to meet the Church's needs".

@jackhoyle17

5 жыл бұрын

He's not being inconsistent, in the former, he is referring to what kind of posture clergy ought to have towards their ministry, while in the latter he is talking about how an individual (particularly a new convert) ought to have towards the parish that is accessible to him. Basically, if im a russian clergyman in an english speaking area- i ought to do services in english. if im an english speaking person and the only parishes available to me are in foreign languages- i ought to learn their language so i can properly worship. Same as if i moved to China, I'd be expected to learn mandarin, rather than demand everyone in China learn english so things are easier for me.

@NeanderdeOliveira

5 жыл бұрын

I caught that too! But then I thought what the other commenter here said. As we serve Him, an individual should expect his gifts from God, not from the church. It's personal. And so too the church makes it personal, by prostrating to service of the community.

@SpectatorAlius

5 жыл бұрын

@@NeanderdeOliveira But how can you not see the problem here? You cannot draw the sharp distinction you propose between "gifts from God" and "gifts from the Church" because the Church *is* the Body of Christ.

@NeanderdeOliveira

5 жыл бұрын

SpectatorAlius I know distinction is hard. So this is how I look at it. gifts from God are things like love, life and nature. We each other love only in as much as we receive it from God. "Church" however is where it gets a bit fuzzy, as you say. The church ARE it's members. So receiving from the church is no different than receiving from your brother. Another distinction, also made in this video, is that of the holy spirit. A person who has the holy spirit can perform miracles and prophecy as Christ did. We don't have that at the moment. We can be LEAD by the spirit, but actually having it is a whole other phenomena.

@uncabral

5 жыл бұрын

Otherwise said: find your church or else accomodate to the best available.

Very enjoyable. As an.Ortodox convert, it is reassuring to hear a very down to earth priest talk about the Church as full of dinners trying to do better but stumbling but getting up again to start over. Thesis as process not event.

Great video! Thank you father Oleksa. I would like to add that it is good for converts to learn from the ‘native’ Orthodox the spirit of Orthodoxy. Just like we as Christians have to remember that we received a great deal of our faith from the Jewish people. I love the feeling of going to Greece and seeing people worshipping in a way that is so natural to them, and the Church is their home. Starting a church with only converts doesn’t sound right because you disconnect yourself from that part of the Church that is so ancient and accustomed to the life of faith.

@ProtectingVeil

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks to God! It's definitely a challenging thing to become Orthodox in the diaspora. I always encourage converts to try to get to an Orthodox country for a visit as soon as possible, so as to see Orthodoxy lived in its native context...

What a terrific homily! All future and recent converts need to see and hear this!

You broke it down so perfectly. Thank you.

Such wisdom

Very powerful message. Thanks so much for sharing this video.

I really needed this today. Thank you.

@ProtectingVeil

3 жыл бұрын

Glory to God!

Well-said... Thank you, Fr. Michael... 🙏

I heard this in a KZread Video “ We Need God No God Needs us to make a difference in the World and in the Church that’s why God created us in his image for a purpose ! I agree 100 percent the Church Needs you thank you so much for this Video God bless you !

Wow!!! Really blew my mind at the end there. What an amazing person.

What a great perspective and message for all of us.

Thank you for your insight Father! Wishing you many years

A delightful, insightful commentary. Thank you.

I would say a major difficulty of becoming Orthodox in America and most of the West is that most Orthodox parishes are in big cities with very few Orthodox parishes in rural areas.

Beautifully said. Glory Be To God!

Absolutely wonderful

Beautiful message, Father.

Such a wise minister.

Loved this . Thank you

Very interesting subject.👍

What a beautiful lesson!

Wonderful thank you I needed that

I’ve seen some Orthodox Churches meet the people “where they are at” like Jesus did and some who don’t care but are interested in the ethnic and language of the “old country “ and focus on these things like the Pharisees . You just have to look a bit and possibly make the sacrifices of time and distance. Yes...if the Church is truly a Hospital, it IS here to meet our needs.

Thank you Thank you, beautifully said..great teachings for His Orthodox Church..Thank you Father Alexa

This is a good and wise priest who has given a perfect presentation of what Church is about and replete with holy wisdom. And I say this as a Roman Catholic!

There's a TON of wisdom in this video

Brilliant. God bless him...

Very wise and comforting talk. Very true and so needed for those who g he scent grown up in orthodoxy.

Well said . God bless

@ProtectingVeil

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks to God!

Very wise words

You my Lamp. You light my way. You highlighting things I rather you didn't!

So much truth here

Father Oleksa is down to earth. It is refreshing to hear an Orthodox priest discuss these issues with common sense that everyone can understand

Thank you Father excellent.

wow- love what he says starting at 7:25 ! and especially 7:36 !

This is the best I’ve heard

Lots of churches have the liturgy in a book in the pews that is translated into English -- this very much helps and with time you learn. The "red book" in the Greek Churches has a column with the Greek "Romanized" into Roman letters so you can follow along phonetically while reading the English -- works very well -- I can tell you as a "Polish Orthodox" who goes to a "Greek" church.

@ProtectingVeil

5 жыл бұрын

Yes, indeed...thanks for stopping by, Ekaterini!

@H-townAV

3 жыл бұрын

Polish-American lapsed Catholic here. Just found this channel, checking things out!

EXCELLENT!

Such wisdom... thank you.

Great wisdom and clarity from Fr. Michael. I appreciate his words.

In glory He is risen!!! So very thankful for any father that is willing to share what Christ has blessed him with for my thirst for the true faith, true church, and sacred mysteries handed down to one humble servant pleading to our lord for wisdom and how to live out my life in the way He left for us to do so. Praise God CHRIST IS RISEN

Another fantastic video. Answers so many questions a new enquirer may have. Let humans be humans, how apropos..... thank you once again .... ☦️

@ProtectingVeil

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks to God! Glad you found it helpful!

What an excellent video! Thank you Fr. Oleksa!

Wow, awesome video!

Excellent interview, he sure makes sense and many need to hear his message and take his advice, I know I will. Thanks so much, subscribed and hit the alarm.

@ProtectingVeil

5 ай бұрын

Glory to God!

Memory Eternal, Fr. Michael.

Man that was great!

Really enjoyed it. The father is a very grounded man in faith, practicality and the human condition. Most excellent, in every way. 💣💥👻

This video was excellent! I have a whole new perspwective on things. Thank you Father Michael!

@ProtectingVeil

9 ай бұрын

Glory to God!

Well done father.

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Best interview I can recall. The ju

Wonderful video.

Man! What a cool father!!! I keep listening Western Orthodox priests for a better understanding of my Eastern Orthodoxy. You have the sincere freshness in your words that I've always yearned for! Truly thank you! It helps me understand and cherish my faith. God bless!

I love Fr. Michael. What an excellent commentary. He is spot on. We have great freedom as Orthodox believers to worship where we feel at home.

Merry Christmas and happy New year farter! I need your teachings

As a lifelong protestant investigating orthodoxy more and more I’m liking what I hear I will just listen to this guy and I love his description of the original 12 and I just forgot how messed up they really were until the Holy Spirit came And then I man who was so full of fear he denied the Lord 3×50 days later is preaching before a large amount of people in 5000 people get saved. It will never be a perfect church as long as in perfect people are involved and have to walk in please at our pastors know what they’re doing that they are following God and we have to follow God it’s all a matter of faith and trust

Praise God!!! Lord Son of God have mercy on all of us we all are sinners.

Fr Michael is right on! Thank you for sharing.

@ProtectingVeil

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks to God! Glad you enjoyed it!

Thank you, thank you,!!!

Thank you - very insightful and helpful.

@ProtectingVeil

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks to God...glad you found us and that you found it edifying!

Love the light-lense analogy

This was an interview that was definitely needed, It was done in the way the Lord wanted. Thank you

@ProtectingVeil

3 жыл бұрын

Glory to God!

I'm Byzantine Catholic (Rusyn). This is 500% relevant to my existence and participation. Excellent, excellent insights. Thank you, Father Michael.

What a great interview/video- thank you very much! Father Michael Oleksa is s treasure💕

@ProtectingVeil

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks to God...he is, indeed!

@DChristina

3 жыл бұрын

Hoping Fr Michael Oleksa & Matushka Xenia can come visit us again at St Nicholas in Portland soon as these restrictions lift!

I loved listening to Father Oleksa ever since I was a little kid. I'm sad to say I've become Atheist in my adulthood, but I remember I was always happy to listen to him talk when my parents/grandparents made me go to church every Sunday/Holiday at the Anchorage St. Innocent Cathedral.

@wesleyhornberger4305

2 жыл бұрын

"I'm sad to say I've become Atheist..." Don't go on being sad! You can change that! Go back to where you left God. Pray from your heart. No matter where you go, where you travel, even while driving the interstate - watch for Truth. Pray morning, noon, and night. Pray when you wake in the middle of the night. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me a sinner. Don't stop praying! Go to Church. Don't live your life sad.!