Advice to Someone Interested in Becoming Orthodox Christian - Fr. John Behr

While Father John Behr is well qualified to answer more arcane theological questions, in this episode he gives a solid pastoral answer to the very practical question: "What advice would you give to someone interested in Orthodoxy?"
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This is the first episode from my interview with Father John Behr, who is Regius Professor of Humanity at the University of Aberdeen. He previously taught at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, where he served as Dean from 2007-17; he is also the Metropolitan Kallistos Chair of Orthodox Theology at the Vrije Universiteit of Amsterdam, and the Amsterdam Center for Orthodox Theology.

Father John finished a new critical edition and translation of Origen's On First Principles for Oxford University Press, and is working on a new edition and translation of the complete works of St. #Irenaeus of Lyons.

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[ProtectingVeil]

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[goldensaxon]

Im a protestant who believes my church is spiritually bankrupt and all the other 33, 000 protestant denominations too. Ive been looking into Orthodoxy for a while now and truly believe its the true church but im very nervous to go to an Orthodox church, I need a spiritual home.

[Cjinglaterra]

I went to an Orthodox service once in boot camp. One of my boot camp buddies was Russian Orthodox and I wasn’t sure what I was at the time. I didn’t understand a word, but I liked it.

I’d probably convert if distance wasn’t such an issue. The priest’s wife was shocked when I told her that the nearest Orthodox church of any flavor was 80 miles from where I was from, but that’s the reality for most of the country. I think if you guys spread farther from the big cities you might find a lot of people who are interested.

[Mark-ybsp]

‘ Come to church and listen...’. This is exactly what I’ve done, and I haven’t looked back. It’s good to be Orthodox.

[g-money]

I’m agnostic because there’s been a lot that I disagree with when it comes to other religions and denominations of Christianity, but there’s something that draws me to Orthodoxy. I want to explore it and find truth,

[camerongreene]

I want to become Orthodox, but I've been Southern Baptist all my life. I want to convert to orthodox so that I can really connect with Christ, but I'm 17 and idk where to begin

[jayb]

I was baptised greek orthodox and attend a greek orthodox church. Although I don't speak greek, everyone is so welcoming and trying to help as much as possible

[Vengeance]

As a former catholic, I really want to convert to orthodox-Christianity but unfortunately, there aren't that many orthodox churches in Ireland

[ProtectingVeil]

In case you're wondering...yes, in retrospect, I wish I had asked other questions, better suited to Fr. John's expertise(!) That said, as you'll see from Fr. John's responses, his is a deeply pastoral approach that underlines the fact that Orthodox theology is, above all, pastoral and experiential.

[mdb]

Excellent video. It’s answered a lot of questions for me, as I am methodically inching into Orthodoxy. I truly like the good Fathers approach. He keeps it simple. Thanks again for a great video.

☦️📿☦️

[dg_f_Christs]

Thank you. I'm a Protestant, this is the second time I'm feeling an almost irresistible drawing toward Orthodoxy. I seriously don't know what to do with it. I was raised a Baptist, then hovered in Pentecostal circles, now I attend the Salvation Army (Celebrate Recovery). Recently I've been learning about the Reformation, but everytime I get serious Orthodoxy sinks it's claws in (for lack of a better term). What's going on?

[shantil]

Amazing advices, i just went for the firsttime at my local orthodox church and did exactly that ; i was blown away by the simplicity and the love i felt.

[philmonk]

I enjoyed the video, it was well presented and the father is approachable.

[birdlynn]

I too am in the process of my Catechumen phase in the Orthodox Church. After coming home here, and through all my studies with the Orthodox Church, Jesus Christ teachings and understanding them better, the Desert Fathers, and their wisdom, there is no turning back to any other church again. There is nowhere else I would rather be.This is the real church God meant for us to BE. Orthodoxy is a way of life and that way of life is following Jesus and doing what he instructs us to do, taking his teachings seriously in our lives in a way that is gentle but so real that the Holy Spirit shows you the truth that you cannot denye. We all live with some great sorrows in our lives, but It is good to know, that we are all in this together, and we don't have to journey alone. We can have Jesus in the boat with us always, as long as we invite him in and trust and believe him and the scriptures, and along side the church.

[jimsteele]

Excellent Video! I am considering converting from Catholic. This video was a breath of fresh air. Thank You!

[Ymirson]

That was excellent, thank you, and very helpful. I'm making my way into Orthodoxy and I don't have easy access to an Orthodox church. I appreciate this especially helpful concise and comprehensive guidance.

[mdb]

I’ll be seeing him this coming Saturday at my Church, Saint Anthony’s in San Antonio. It will be stellar.

☦️

[whitz]

Im interested in becoming orthodox but I am a single 31 yr old woman and I feel kind of embarrassed as I would be going to church alone. 😔 i feel like in my community these churches are filled with families and I would feel like an outcast. I will pray about it and hopefully I will find a church soon

[elizabethshaw]

I have more than 18 hours per day of Silence. I have a caregiver for 6 hours I have no family members living or friends. I do a great deal of meditation both spiritual and otherwise.

[williambreckenridge]

This was very helpful and encouraging. Thank you for sharing.