Common Pitfalls of Orthodox Christian Beginners - Fr. Stephen Freeman

In this episode, Father Stephen Freeman discusses some common pitfalls of those beginning on the Orthodox Christian path.
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#Orthodox blogger, author, and #Archpriest, Father Stephen Freeman, is founder and Pastor Emeritus of St. Anne Orthodox Church in Oak Ridge, TN. To learn more about Father Stephen’s work, please check out his blog on #Orthodoxy, Glory to God for All Things:

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[ProtectingVeil]

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[tennesseegirl]

I found Orthodoxy 2 years ago. Got scared. Decided it was too hard. I can't believe I fell for that! I'm back. Never leaving 😇

[adambenedict]

As a Catechumen in The Orthodox Church, I find this to be reassuring and well-balanced. Thank You for posting this.

[FatherAndTeacherTV]

I had never heard of the "fast of demons". I enjoyed the wisdom in this video. I'm still growing as a catechumen.

[D-A-K]

Fr Stephen is a treasure. I see him as another Fr Thomas Hopko.

[CA_Watchman]

I’m not orthodox, I used to fast once a week, not eating, not praying either though. Recently I’ve started again to fast, usually 36-40 generally, just water, this time it’s accompanied with prayer. Fasting on its own I’ve always felt was good on a spiritual and physical level. It’s actually watching videos on Orthodoxy that brought to my remembrance the importance of it. I think denying oneself is always a step in the right direction when it comes to drawing closer to God.

[davidpope]

I always enjoy listening to Father Stephen. He's down to earth, and what he says makes a lot of sense.

[aleisterbroley]

I'm looking into converting, myself. Harder than fasting for me would be doing it exactly as I'm instructed... Meaning this would be good for me.
I pray the Lord guides me to as wise a spiritual mentor as this.

[paladinhansen]

I find these Orthodox videos very encouraging words. Never let the guard down and pray always over the matter! The Jesus Prayer!

[julijanacvejic]

Great advice for me! I always put myself down because I am not able fast according to rules....

[feeble_stirrings]

Fr. Stephen is a treasure and has been a tremendous help to me in my journey.

[M-tf]

I'm the "rule-lover", I actually needed this

[livinhuge]

That is perfectly stated Fr, Stephen. "People find aspects of Orthodoxy" and all the while they are only finding aspects of their own personalities - so well said. As stated toward the end, we are all to go out 'beyond' ourselves. "More than human or less than? Which one? The answer to that is 'yes.' Beyond categories? You bet.

[rev.georgeaburdeineh]

Thank you Fr. Stephen!!! Sounds like you are teaching pretty much what The Apostles taught.

In the book of The Didache, The Apostle Peter says that one should fast as much as one can bare it!!!

And given that we are in a Pandemic, maybe no fasting or much lighter fast…

In any case, fasting is a means of drawing nearer to God, otherwise may not have much effect.

Meanwhile, what The Church prescribes in fasting, is also good for your health.
For those who try to follow it, have MUCH less RISK of getting a cancer or heart disease.
And would live longer, given all equal!!!

I always enjoy fasting as it makes me happier, healthier & inspired in The Way of God!!!

Love in Christ!!!
Rev. George

[mrs.jesshorst]

Born and raised Catholic; I am investigating and this was so helpful!! 🤍

[DnDOldGuard]

As someone just starting to look into the Orthodox church more fully, this was very educational, and inspiring!

[hdgskevdb]

Glory to God for all things! Fr. Stephens statement on the fast of demons really struck me

[rebeccaharrishunt]

Thank you so much for this; in my former residence, I had a superlative father confessor/spiritual father who understood, explained, and supported the very traditional praxis of the Faith. Sadly, he passed in the same month that my husband did (after we'd moved from that locale), and while I trust in God and know that He provides, my heart was completely broken. After yet another move with my then 14- 15 year-old children, I now have a father confessor who is part of a (Greek) modernist paradigm about these things, which has really put me off from confession and attendance, with which I struggle; I feel I've been taught the "higher path", and it's a struggle I grapple with daily.. Thank you so much for your videos which support the more traditional and purist among us.

[devindalton-talbott]

J'aime souvent lire le blog du père Freeman.

[nancyd]

Great advice. Would have liked to hear this when I was a catechumen (although my priest did handle me gently).