An Eastern Orthodox Perspective On Early Church History 

A lifetime of searching for the truth, misled several times by my ignorance, pride and selfishness. Two years ago, on my knees and face to the ground in otter despair,… I asked Jesus, to show me his true original truth passed down from his Apostles, Saints, and fathers. After realizing my entire life lived as everything lower than a sinner, crying to God for hours in repentance, on my face begging for his forgiveness … God is good to us, in his sweet patience and mercy, Jesus led me to a small Orthodox Church. The Liturgy was in Slavic, I did not comprehend, but my heart was filled to overflowing, every spoken word, every song I would hear, warmed my heart and uncontrollable tears poured down my face. At that moment, I knew. In April, I was graciously baptised in the Glorious Church of Jesus the Christ. My pilgrim is the everlasting way of Christ. May your journey lead you to the heart of our Lord Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us !

very wise advice from Fr Paul on our humility towards erring hierarchy at the end there. thank you all for this video ❤☦️

This Is The Way

Nicely put father with two great ingredients, love and simplicity

This was very informative and cleared up a lot of misconceptions I had. Thank you Fr. Paul

I want to fly over there to learn from you 😂. I really appreciate your dedication to study. I go to a non denominational church and I study the Bible on my own time. I have so many questions that no one at my church has ever even thought of. I am afraid to ask questions at my church because I feel like it will make some of them lose faith because I can bring up things in the Bible that we cannot fully understand or accept.

Can you upload these as audios to Spotify? It's easier to listen to because you can turn your phone screen off and listen while you do other things

I'm Episcopal and finding a similar issue - there are just not many boundaries right now in the denomination. Everyone just decides what they want to believe and use their own interpretation of scripture. For example: one day my Priest stated that Mother Mary was/is not a virgin. After I picked myself off the floor, I tried to point out that as Episcopalians we recite the Nicene Creed every Sunday. The Nicene Creed clearly states that Mary is a virgin. My Priest started a disjointed argument about how we don't have to hold to Apostolic Succession. Worse, my fellow church members then made fun of me for not knowing how biology works. It's the Wild West. I don't think it is leading anywhere good and am looking at options to leave. What is next? They start questioning the resurrection because typically people do not rise from the dead? It reminds me of the book of Judges: every man did what is right in his own eyes. I will likely end up Orthodox or Catholic.

From the bottom up. Such a great statement. Thank you!

The more I listen to Fr Paul Truebenbach speak the more my feeling with converting to orthodoxy has grown. The only thing I need to figure out is what church to attend, as there is so many Orthodox churches around me.

Thank you for the videos 👍

Catholic here. May God bless my Orthodox brothers and sisters.

Glad to have discovered Fr. Paul!

Without Orthodoxy, I would've never become a Christian.

This is a great interview, with great questions. I was especially intrigued with the excellent question regarding when the laity can rebel against their bishops. The schism between the West and the East is grievous, I hope one day it can be overcome.

i stand informed.

Good news today 7/12/24 The Holly Orthodox Romanian Sinod has proclaimed saints a group of monks and priests that serve the church in time of comunist regime among Father Ilie Cleopa 2 Dec. Father Arsenie Boca 28 Nov. Father Professor Dumitru Stăniloaie and many others 16 total.

This is ‘The Way’

Thank you, Father, every part of my being wants to follow Christ and the Orthodox way.

Good stuff!

Can we join your classes online for Catechism classes in preparation to convert to Orthodoxy?

I would love to hear the fathers of this pages opinion on modern day wars, particularly on Putin and the Russian governments invasion of Ukraine. Much love from Canada💚

Please, father! Can you explain to us the history of de Holy Sign of the Cross? And a comparison between orthodox way and roman-catholical way. Thank you! May God bless you!

Would love to hear your perspective on Gnosticism

Why always “Eastern Orthodoxy” why not just “Orthodox Christian”? Ought we not demonstrate our catholicity, even in our language? I feel we give incorrect impressions by using the language of academia, like saying “Oriental Orthodox” gives the impression they are Orthodox.. and thus loses its meaning

To borrow from Wittgenstein, using words to describe God's nature is "a ladder to throw away once you've climbed it."

What else did Rome have? Vast Relics of the Saints, why? They were martyred there and possession of relics were tangible examples of authority or maybe a better word is legitimacy. But that claim began to diminish rapidly after 312 when churches were allowed to operate legally and relics began to be exported from Rome and other places to sanctify new communities and alters.

Amen Father! With God, anything is possible. I pray for the reunification of all Catholic Orthodox brothers and sisters. It does seem like an impossibility. The Western Church could so benefit from the deep living of the Faith engrained in the Eastern Church. May God unify his people. Finally, though it’s unlikely you’ll read this, I’d like to say as a Byzantine Catholic, that I’d venerate an Orthodox saint so called Catholics heretics. Saints are not perfect humans. But they were living brothers and sisters who exemplified Jesus and their lives teach us well. Clearly they believed they were right in their declarations. Only God is judge.

Exactly what is the mechanism by which asceticism produces ‘true’ discernment?

I'm always curious... Why is Rome seen as the see of Peter and not Antioch?

One rule which I use regarding Archbishop's and Bishop's. Is this have they changed the Liturgy or any of the sacraments. If they have then that's when I'll will depart from that Church. If the liturgy does not follow that which St. John Cystomous has written or St Basil has written then I will simply leave. Some Bishop's have said or done things which are not necessarily Orthodox. Since criticism of a Archbishop or Bishop is against the canons of the Church. I'll obey such a Canon and agree with it as this can cause schism and scandal. I have seen this happen and unfortunately this is exactly what has happened.

I was baptized as a Catholic in my childhood (now Orthodox) in Brazil. I still remember the Catholic creed in Portuguese and it doesn't say that the Holy Spirit proceed from the son. I think it has changed a while ago. It just says "creio no Espírito Santo". Translated as "I believe in the Holy Spirit". And that's it.

Early Church History was written in Greek 🇬🇷🇨🇾☦️ Αλληλούια

'Proceding from the son also' does that come from when Jesus said he would send the comforter? Is that where this belief comes from?

Thank you for this - we follow Christ and I am increasingly calling myself a follower of the Way. Institutional religion is in a poor way. The Gospel is made so complex.

Apostle Paul: *"... CELEBRATE... WITH UNLEAVENED BREAD..."* (1Cor.5:8).

Concerning ecumenical councils: If it had just been what the church always believed, why would there be debate among Bishops?

LUKE 22:1 Now the Feast of *UNLEAVENED BREAD* drew near, which is called the *PASSOVER... "*

Very good exclamation however why do they not evangelize? His explanations are great! Yet the E.O. Church appears to be absent from reaching out to the lost. Hopeless. Homeless. They stay within the 4 walls of their beautiful buildings. And fail to get out where the sinners are. How about breaking the stained glass barrier?

who determines sainthood?

The Roman Catholic Church already venerates saints that were out of communion and considered Rome heretical.

“Do not consider it proof just because it is written in books, for a liar who will deceive with his tongue will not hesitate to do the same with his pen.” Maimonides

EXODUS 12: 8 *"...THEY ARE TO EAT... UNLEAVENED BREAD...."*

*YEASTERN UNORTHODOXY* strikes again !

No to ecumenism. But having said that the orthodox church is divided into two factions. 😢Kyrie eleison emas. 🙏

Regarding Bishops: when bishops told their churches to stop services, stop using one spoon, stop venerating/kissing icons, listen to the government mandates. Then what? Can you speak on these matters please

3:15 the idea that bishops got together and made up the doctrines, they ‘decided’ this and that about God… this sounds like what Roman Catholoc ecumenical councils do as a matter of course. Father, can you speak to this?

Jesus: "... *UNLEAVENED BREAD...* *...I... EAT...."* (Luke 22:7,15).

I love my orthodox brothers but I beg you return to the church Christ founded. Come back to unity. We need you guys now more than ever before.

3:00 wouldn’t that also be an argument for people to use with the holy scripture? Because many orthodox say, that the new testament canon was decided in the 4th century and use it as an argument for the importance of holy oral tradition in contrast to sola scriptura. So they could argue, that the church had the scriptures already way before that.

Mathew 1:18 : "...[Mary] was found with Child of the Holy Ghost". How could the Holy Ghost proceed from the son when the father sent the Holy Ghost to beget him? The Filioque is Fili-NO-que.

LUKE 22:7 "Then came the day of *UNLEAVENED BREAD,* on which the *PASSOVER* lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the *PASSOVER* for us, that WE may EAT IT.”

Eastern Catholics don't do filioque

Apostle Paul: "... *Christ, our PASSOVER* lamb, has been sacrificed. So let us *CELEBRATE THE FESTIVAL... WITH the UNLEAVENED BREAD* of sincerity and truth" (1 Cor. 5:7,8).

John 3:14 KJV "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the SON OF MAN (CHRIST) be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believes in HIM should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For GOD sent not HIS SON into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through HIM might be saved. 18 He that believes on HIM is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the NAME of the ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD." 36 He that believes on the SON has everlasting life: and he that believes not the SON shall not see life; but the wrath of GOD abides on him. John 5:23 KJV “.......................... He that honors not the SON honors not the FATHER which has sent HIM. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears MYWORD, and believes on HIM that sent ME, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Romans 8:1 KJV “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in CHRIST JESUS, who walk not after the flesh (works), but after the Spirit (grace). Note: A true Christian is not condemned and has everlasting life therefore if you do not know where you will immediately go when you die then you deny what CHRIST said therefore you deny CHRIST.

how come all the eastern orthodox pastors have beards?

I pray that the schism might bridge and that the truth might come out so that the church may join back together under Jehovah our Father.

If the East and West slowly grew apart in tradition for hundreds of years before the issues became noticed, why did the Holy Spirit allow the two to drift apart as opposed to guiding them towards the same truth? I suppose one could argue that one group deliberately ignored the guidance of the Spirit but that doesn't seem reasonable given the "slow drift in tradition" that wasn't noticed for hundreds of years.

Is my Roman Catholic baptism valid? There wasn’t an Orthodox priest to be seen for hundreds of miles when it happened (St Aloysius RC Church, Hebburn 1955). Lord Mark of Ephesus would have said yes. Patriarch Cyril V of Constantinople would have said no. Who is right?

You are Peter and upon you I build my Church!

New Covenant Whole Gospel: How many modern Christians cannot honestly answer the questions below? Who is the King of Israel in John 1:49? Is the King of Israel now the Head of the Church, and are we His Body? Who is the “son” that is the “heir” to the land in Matthew 21:37-43? Why did God allow the Romans to destroy the Old Covenant temple and the Old Covenant city, about 40 years after His Son fulfilled the New Covenant promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34 in blood at Calvary? What the modern Church needs is a New Covenant Revival (Heb. 9:10) in which members of various denominations are willing to re-examine everything they believe and see if it agrees with the Bible, instead of the traditions of men. We need to be like the Bereans. It will be a battle between our flesh and the Holy Spirit. It will not be easy. If you get mad and upset when someone challenges your man-made Bible doctrines, that is your flesh resisting the truth found in God's Word. Nobody can completely understand the Bible unless they understand the relationship between the Old Covenant given to Moses at Mount Sinai and the New Covenant fulfilled in blood at Calvary. What brings all local churches together into one Body under the blood of Christ? The answer is found below. Let us now share the Old Testament Gospel found below with the whole world. On the road to Emmaus He said the Old Testament is about Him. He is the very Word of God in John 1:1, 14. Awaken Church to this truth. Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Jer 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by husband unto them, saith the LORD: Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. Jer 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Is the most important genealogy in the Bible found in Matthew 1:1 (Gal. 3:16)? Is God's Son the ultimate fulfillment of Israel (John 1:49)? Why has the modern Church done a pitiful job of sharing the Gospel with modern Orthodox Jews? Why would someone tell them they are God's chosen people and then fail to share the Gospel with them? Who is the seed of the woman promised in Genesis 3:15? What did Paul say about Genesis 12:3 in Galatians 3:8, 3:16? Who is the "son" in Psalm 2? Who is the "suffering servant" of Isaiah 53? Who would fulfill the New Covenant promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34? Who would fulfill the timeline of Daniel chapter 9 before the second temple was destroyed? Why have we not heard this simple Old Testament Gospel preached on Christian television in the United States on a regular basis? Once a person comes to understand the New Covenant promised to Israel and Judah in Jeremiah 31:31-34, which is found fulfilled by Christ during the first century in Hebrews 8:6-13, and Hebrews 10:16-18, and specifically applied to the Church in 2 Corinthians 3:6-8, and Hebrews 12:22-24, man-made Bible doctrines fall apart. Let us now learn to preach the whole Gospel until He comes back. The King of Israel is risen from the dead! (John 1:49, Acts 2:36) We are not come to Mount Sinai in Hebrews 12:18. We are come instead to the New Covenant church of Mount Zion and the blood in Hebrews 12:22-24. 1Jn 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 1Jn 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 1Jn 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. God is not now a “racist”. He has extended His love to all races of people through the New Covenant fulfilled by His Son’s blood at Calvary. The Apostle Paul warned against using “genealogies” in our faith in 1 Tim. 1:4, and Titus 3:9. The following verses prove the Holy Spirit is the master teacher for those now in the New Covenant. Jer 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Mar 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Act 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 1Jn 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. Watch the RU-vid videos “The New Covenant” by David Wilkerson, or Bob George, and David H.J. Gay.....

I think we look hypocritical when we preach unity and we can’t find a way to reconcile with our Catholic brothers and sisters or for that matter each other. Look how many orthodox churches aren’t in communion with each other. It just makes me sad. Christ wouldn’t want this.

Why do these guys always look like craft brewers?

Not looking for a non-reformed view also anti-Jewish. Next.

This was not very clear to someone who doesn't know the history of your church already.

I count early church history as being Jesus and the disciples up until the bishops started colluding with the Roman emperors. State religion corrupted a lot.

Bad doctrine is not knowing whether or not you are even saved 😅 How can you be Christian if you don’t even know if you are in Christ?

The Council at Lyons in the 13th Century Anathematized those who do not accept that the Holy Spirit proceeds Hypostatically from both Father and Son.

Hallelujah!!! I’m favored and blessed with $60,000 every week! Now I can afford anything and also support the work of God and the church.

Too bad... you guys forgot to make the case that Peter was actually the bishop of antioch

The Filioque is a complicated issue, and we hear different things from different Orthodox about it. Metropolitan Kalistos Ware stated that after further discussion and understanding he not longer found it to be an issue. That how the church of Rome is expressing the procession of the Holy Spirit is correct. While the councils of Toledo and Hatfield are not considered to be fully ecumenical those local councils inserted the filioque as a response to Arianism and Monothelitism. It would be fair to say if Arianism never came about the filioque would have never come about. This is where the Orthodox need to take some responsibility. Arianism came out of and flourished in the east for 700 years. The Pope and St Athanasius fought against the Emperor and the eastern bishops to stop it. Curiously many of the church fathers did not have an issue, Hilary of Poitiers, Ephrem the Syrian, Epiphanius of Salamis, Cyril of Alexandria, Ambrose, Augustine of Hippo, Pope Leo I the great, Maximus the Confessor, along with several other Latin fathers. It was not a huge deal until Photios. In 2019 the NACCB suggested and supported the removal of the filioque which since we have no difference in understanding and Arianism while still existing is not the threat it once was. It seems to me that some Orthodox want to make mountains out of mole hills to keep our churches apart. Confusing messaging from the Orthodox on many issues.

Too many accretions since the first couple centuries and millennia. It ain’t the original church sorry

The Father's interpretation of the Filioque is very one-sided, naturally being he's a Orthodox priest, but the West did not mean the Filioque the way him & the East in general understood it, the West was dealing with a serious resurgence of Arianism which was the driving force for adding the Filioque, to begin with, but it wasn't intended to give the Son some lopsided force over the Spirit, it was thought of as breath travels back & forth on the words of a conversation, or how I've heard it described is the Father's love for the Son & the Son sending that love back to the Father...it really does seem like this could've been resolved, at the time, without splitting the church itself in half, a perpetually recurring division, at this point, I'm afraid to say I fear politics were involved in this calamity.

Why still calling men "father"??? Please; no smug replies; just plain words if any. Jesus the "man of sorrow and acquainted with grief" : I feel certain he would not be chuckling mixed in with speaking sacred matters. I feel no need of icons and costly supposed "houses of God". "If any man speak, let him speak as an oracle (utterance) of God." Burden of proof of apostolic succession is upon whosoever claims that spiritual anointing to do true "binding and loosing" over souls. We are all either gathering with, or scattering against the Shepherd of souls; the holy Elect Flock. With or against; lukewarm not acceptable to the Perfect Judge...when we are weighed by him.

I am surprised that the breakaway church allows three marriages? Jesus clearly taught a married man and woman are one flesh.

The New Testament jesus in the Light of Old Testament is an impostor a Liar and some people also called him Lunatic and christian missionaries believe that the opposite word for Lunatic is God so jesus is a god

No, Rome did not have any “special grace,” and I believe Father is unwise and wrong to share such an erroneous, purely personal opinion.

Return to the G-d of Israel and forsake this Roman paganism.

Jesus is not God!