A hymn I wrote during my time in seminary. The last stanza comes directly from the Paschal homily of St. John Chrysostom. piped.video/_kTJE8va19o?si=OPUB…

I grew up watching Dragonball Z and it taught me to holdback all my "power" until the very end and then make a wild comeback (somehow).... unfortunately, I come to find out that none of that "last minute comeback" stuff works in jujitsu.. thanks DBZ, for nothing. 😂

I'm finally catching up on X/Orthodoxy and you're telling me I didn't make any list? Not one?

Amazing talk by His Eminence on the rise of converts to the Orthodox Christian Church. “The century of the Church of the immigrants has ended. The century of evangelization has begun.” “Acquiring the Orthodox way of thinking does not come from books, but from life in the Holy Spirit.” “The Orthodox faith is not an idea but a lived experience of repentance and communion with God.” Link: piped.video/JgUNYwQ0lZs?si=l5h_…

A reminder for us all.

“You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me; yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” — John 5:39-40 Western Christianity is often so focused on the Scriptures. And while this is important, it should not come at the expense of the experience of Jesus Christ. The experience of Christ is not an emotional outpouring, like you see many protestant Churches. It is not a high or low. But it is rather peace. Not as the world gives, but as He alone can provide. In the Orthodox Church we can to truly experience Christ. And what’s more, we come to partake of Him in the Eucharist. In this way we fulfill the ancient passage, “Taste and see that the Lord is Good.” (Psalm 34:8). The Scriptures bear witness to Christ, to His words, to His teachings. And yet, His whole life is not contained within a book, but is rather passed down from the Disciples to their disciples. In the Orthodox Church you will find the fullness of the life of Christ.

I created this video to show the contrast. I always found it interesting that the doom-scrolling activity with our hand seemed like the antithesis to the recitation of the Jesus Prayer with a prayer rope. Both acts, small and seemingly inconsequential, could not be more opposite in experience and outcome. One focuses the mind, the other distracts it. One clams the passions, the other inflames them. One centers around a single thought (Jesus), the other on a myriad of thoughts disconnected from each other. One guides you away from images, the other arrests your vision. One bears fruit unto eternal life, the other bears fruit unto death.

I was interviewed recently. We covered topics like the Eucharist, Fasting, living a Liturgical life, the Holy Spirit and more. Link: piped.video/1QeWd3V-UAU?si=lkZc…

Just read this. Given the talk I have seen on X about unity between Catholics and Orthodox I find it appropriate to share:

Find friends that you can run towards the Kingdom together with. piped.video/watch?v=TKOO899z…

Here is a brief explanation regarding the term “Nous” in the Orthodox Church. It’s time to discover your nous.

The Church is the body of Christ. It is a theanthropic institution. It is rooted in the incarnation. And it is a visible body of which you too can become a member in. This body is the Orthodox Church. Founded by Christ on Pentecost. Preached by the Apostles. Kept unchanged by the saints. And remains today. In much of Christianity you will find peoples own individual interpretations. Disregard that as men are fallible. Instead come and discover the Orthodox Church where the fullness of the Holy Spirit resides and where it leads the faithful to all truth.

We should not seek to build the Kingdom of God here on earth. It will end in death. Here are my thoughts on this. Well worth the listen: 👇 piped.video/vPlxSlHoDTs?si=R98b…

Scripture during these dark days.

It really is a beautiful flag. Thank you, my God, for America.

It feels similar to when Herod beheads the Baptist and brings the head of the faster on a platter, so that in the feast of their immorality they might attempt to silence their own conscious.

Tomorrow we are celebrating the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos! Here is a free resource to learn and celebrate the feast with your children. It's worth it! Enjoy. Link: noeticspring.kit.com/littlea…

“What am I supposed to do with a success that does not conquer death? Let all the failures come, just as long as death is conquered and this failed life of mine overflows even now with eternity.” Archimandrite Vasileios of Iveron

“If you were to ask me to tell you what I learned after so many years in the desert, I would simply answer this: the power of the Psalter. If I were to start my life over, I would struggle to do one thing: memorize the Psalter. This is the womb of noetic prayer. This is the fertile soil where the seed of prayer thrives. It scourges the demons. When I was reading the Psalter during my vigils, a demon came, roaring like a wild boar in my ear, especially when I said the verse, “Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered, and let those who hate him flee before him…” (Ps 68:1 (67 LXX)) and the verse that says, “…for You are my Lord and my God”. He was in a rage, grabbing me by the throat and choking me. He tried to mess up my words so that I wouldn’t say it.” -- Elder Theodoros the cave-dweller from Agiofarango, Crete

I suffer with chronic pain. And so I believe this to be true, but also because it bears with it much hope. Hope that despite my suffering, and perhaps because of it, God will give a way of salvation through it.

When searching for a spouse, search for the cross that gives you life.

Remember Thy first love, Christ our LORD.

Orthodox Priest response to yoga. Do you agree or disagree? Share your thoughts below 👇

The Jesus prayer is an indispensable weapon in the spiritual arena. * Unites us with Christ * Fights off temptations * Draws the grace of the Holy Spirit * Open to us the door of repentance * Instills in us humility * Reveals to us our sinfulness * Dispels demonic opposition * Silences our busy mind How do you say the Jesus prayer? You start by finding some quiet time alone. Sit or stand before an icon of Christ. A prayer rope is helpful but not necessary. Then simply begin to recite the Jesus prayer. Here are several different variations. * Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me. * Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner. * Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner. The shorter one can be used in moments of prayer or during the day while performing mundane tasks like washing the dishes or cleaning the house. The longer one is often more meditative and requires a greater attention and focus. At the moment of prayer, you can alternate between them as your mind becomes less attentive. Start small. And then build on it. Remember, keep faith simple.

A person told me these words once. They proved to be very helpful for me. And I now share it with those who are dating. As Orthodox, we date to marry. Not to waste time or to have “fun.” Marriage is a salvific endeavor and, therefore, it should be taken seriously—not casually. I’ve seen friends waste years in a relationship only to have it end later on. A year is a plenty of time to determine if the person I am dating is suitable for the journey of marriage. Can we make it work on the road to the Kingdom? A year will give you the seasons of a person. The ups and downs, the highs and lows, the peace and frustrations, the joys and sorrows. And so, if it’s not a yes after a year… it’s probably a no. But who am I? Don’t listen to me.

With the state of the world and the rumors of war, we may feel powerless to intervene and act. Christians do not protest. Instead we turn our attention to prayer. Remember this. Prayer will give you influence over those things which you have no influence in. Prayer can transform the world.

Modern life is killing you. 👇 9-5. Stress. Anxiety. Brain rot. Ads. Burnout. Our technological innovations feel like progress, but in many ways, we are becoming less and less human. In contrast to the never-ending rat race stands an Orthodox lifestyle. This life, rooted in faith, centers around the life of Jesus Christ. It is a simple life. And from this simplicity, springs an abundance of peace, calmness, fortitude, courage, discipline. In short, the grace of the Holy Spirit. This is not accomplished through novelty, but through the mundane repetitive act of living one day at a time crucifying our will in the service of our LORD. As the LORD’s prayer goes, “…not my will, but Thy will be done.”

Here is how to understand your spiritual life. Long, but worth it. piped.video/watch?v=dU1TmjlQ…

We venerate the spaces in which the Spirit of God has dwelt. These include… •locations (like where Christ was born) •Churches (the temple of God) •Icons (depictions of Christ and His friends) •Saints (the Spirit of God moved in them) •Relics (residual grace is left in items too) This is not a stumbling block for us Orthodox Christians because we do not believe we are worshiping God when we venerate these things. Just as we are not worshiping our parents when, in a moment of loneliness, we were to kiss their picture hanging up on our wall.

Who has seen this documentary on St. Amphilocios? piped.video/watch?v=ZuwKk8vz…

If you're discerning between marriage and monasticism, then this video is for you. piped.video/tHZGemOkZIo

“You won't become saints by hounding after evil. Ignore evil. Look towards Christ and He will save you.” — St. Porphyrios

“Not the knowledge that you learn, but knowledge that you suffer. This is Orthodox Spirituality.” You can read 100 books on prayer but until you actually pray yourself, you will not understand what it means to pray. In order to learn this kind of knowledge, you have to experience it through the daily repetitive cycle and rhythm of the church, which is the life of Christ. Prayer, fasting, almsgiving… all these point to that life and all the way to Christ.

Absolutely loved this video! Thank you for sharing @petermckinnon. I started watching you when you only had a few thousand followers. Seeing this makes me think that you may like the book “Unreasonable Hospitality” piped.video/_D7LWCtcY8k?si=pFgB…

This was fun to see hahahaha.

And so it begins…

Here's a mini-lecture on the spiritual ascent towards God. Enjoy! piped.video/watch?v=dU1TmjlQ…

I'm an Orthodox Christian priest and I've been doing ministry for the past decade. Ask me anything. Don't be afraid. There's nothing you're going to say that I haven't heard in confession (I hope).

For all you looking to join the Orthodox Church... this video is for you. piped.video/watch?v=KGdK5zEz…

Here's a hymn I wrote when I was in seminary. Enjoy! piped.video/watch?v=_kTJE8va…

I asked Grok to draw me. I’m have so many questions. Why is there donkey inside the church? Why is there a toy of Superman? Why do I look Asian?

Here is my breakdown of the analogy of the Church as the Hospital of Souls... Hospital = Church Medical School = Monasteries Chief of Medicine = Bishops (theosis) Doctors = Priests (illumination) Nurses = Deacons (purification) Staff = Lay Leaders Patients = All Orthodox Christians Healed = The Saints Symptoms = Sins Illness = The Passions Therapy = Ascetical, Sacramental, & Communal Healing

The demons tempt us with bodily desires because they know that the body is the vehicle for repentance. They want you to misuse your body so that your repentance is thwarted. No body. No repentance.

“Nothing gives demons such power over us as hiding our sins in our hearts unconfessed.” — I don't know who said this.

Children must be given measured opportunities to resist their first authority (their parents), if they are to learn how to resist the authority of the world.

We must all suffer in one of two ways; The suffering of self-love which brings about death. The suffering of asceticism which brings about life.

The priest is like the donkey that carried Christ during His entry into Jerusalem. As the people are applauding, the donkey can mistakenly think that the applause is for himself.