Last Words From Father James Bernstein 

Death is defeated! Thank you for your service to the Lord Father Bernstein ☦️☦️☦️

As an inquirer into the Orthodox Christian faith, I met Fr James at St Thomas in Snohomish. He came up to me, introduced himself and his Beautiful wife. After introducing myself, I told him about my Protestant background, my family and a few other things. He got up and said I’ll be right back and went and got me his book “Surprised By Christ” and opened it up and wrote a personal paragraph to me personally. I was so thrilled that he did that for me. I couldn’t wait to go home and read the book and that’s exactly what I did. God used this man to reach me. He is such a wonderful gracious loving man. I wanted to personally tell him how much I loved his book but I haven’t seen him since last year. This video breaks my heart, I’m sad that I may never in this life get to tell him about how much his book has helped me. If anyone reading this message gets to see him, please thank him for me. My name is Jamie and we last spoke Feb 1 2023 @ St Thomas. I will pray for him and his family. Thank you Fr James for being that light that God tells us to be ❤️. Love you.

Though Father James may not remember me, we met at his church, St Paul's, around 1990. I too am an old guy and am approaching my end as well. Please pray for me so that I may join you two when my end comes. In Father James' honor, I have the Jesus Prayer in Hebrew: אדוני ישוע המשיח בן אלוהים רחם עלי חוטא

I have a lot of love and respect for Fr. James. He brought a lot of Jews to the Church, and he did much to help non-Jewish laymen (including myself) to learn the deeper connection to the Hebrew roots of Orthodoxy.

Lord bless Thy servant! We love you Fr James! Christ is risen!!!☦📿🙏

I came in fear, but I am now at peace. Death is defeated! May the Lord make your way to Heaven without obstacles, Fr. James.

We pray that Fr. James will peacefully and joyfully transcend consciously, the shedding of the prison of flesh, freeing his soul into the bliss of Spirit. Love and blessings to you Fr. Tryphon and your dear brother/friend Fr. James. With gratitude ...

I pray our merciful and loving Lord gives Father James the strength to depart in peace. ☦

A Jewish man who found the Truth in Holy Orthodoxy. Today's age is difficult as a Christian and thinking about those responsible can bring bitterness and anger. Seeing this man has softened my heart and brought tears to my eyes. Lord have mercy on your servant James!

Surprised By Christ was the book that convinced me to be Orthodox and I could not be more grateful for Fr. James for writing it. His impact is felt worldwide.

Will be praying, 'Lord, now lettest thy servant depart in peace according to thy word...' Thank you for the video

Through the intercession of Thy most pure Mother, and all Thy Saints, O Christ our Lord, bring Fr James peacefully into Thy rest. Guide also the surgeons and nurses in Fr Tryphon’s procedure and heal him by Thy grace. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!!!

I remember seeing Fr. James walking through an Antiochian conference in Houston about 10 years ago. It felt like witnessing a saint in real life, and I’m certain that’s the case. May the Lord have mercy on him, on his family, and on all of those close to him who are losing a great spiritual pastor and father in the faith. His journey is inspiring, and I pray we can learn from his example to live out our Orthodox faith with more and more humility, love and grace.

May the Lord our God strengthen Father James spirit and allow him to depart in peace!

Fr. James (and Fr. Tryphon), I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to meet you through this small interview. You will most certainly be in my prayers. Glory be to God in ALL things

Unworthy as we are, we will pray for Fr James & Mka. May the Lord have mercy on Fr & Mka & us all & unite us all to Himself forever & ever unto the ages of ages. Amin.

Lord have mercy and bless Fr James🙏🏼☦️🙏🏼 And Fr Tryphon🙏🏼☦️🙏🏼

May he depart in peace☦

Even though his departure is sad, there is a certain beauty in the faith and love of two brothers sharing those final moments. Thank you, Father's, for sharing this with us. I pray the Lord receive Father Bernstein into his kingdom and bless you both! 🙏

Seeing such a humble, faithful servant of God makes me fear for my soul

Memory Eternal, Fr. James.

I am in The caucus mountains of Georgia where news travels slowly. I first met Father James 55 years ago in Berkeley and I was at his wedding and we became Orthodox together and we worked in electronics together and I stayed with him while he went to seminary in New York and together we went to an all Arab church where he was to serve the liturgy and we were greatly concerned how he as a Jew would be received and when they found out he was Jewish they almost threw a party they were so excited and I will miss him dearly.

I'm newly illumined and 72 years old. Thank you for sharing a very unique and Orthodox behavior.

Christ is Risen! My husband, Archpriest Gregory and I both converted to Orthodoxy 30 years ago and we were touched by your books. You and Matushka will be in our prayers!

I am so saddened to hear this news. As a Jewish convert myself, Fr. James' story was such an inspiration for me. ברוך הבה בשם יהוה! ❤🙏❤️

I deeply pray for Fr. James on his way. May he not suffer (too much, his disease is very severe), may he and his presvitera/khuri Martha/Bonnie and his children be in peace. Blessings, ברוכות רבות, פרםא, prot. Alexander

Strong faith really..God bless, Glory to God for all things.

Dumnezeu să - l ierte și să-l odihnească în pace întru Împărăția Sa pe Părintele James 🙏 Să avem parte de rugăciunile sale Cu ale sale rugăciuni, Doamne Iisuse Hristoase Fiul lui Dumnezeu miluiește-ne pe noi și ne mântuiește! Amin 🙏🙏🙏

Fr James book Surprised By Christ was the first book I ever read about Orthodox Christianity and that was back in 2016. I (and my husband and children) have been part of the Orthodox Church for three years now and I thank God for Fr James part in the beginning of that journey. May God grant him a peaceful falling asleep when it is his time. I will keep you closely in my prayers.

Christos Anesti🙏🏻☦️🙏🏻. Fr. James will be in our prayers☦️

Thank you Father, it is so important for us to witness the proper way to approach death.

He looks happy and at peace. God bless him. May him rest and be with God eternally.

Memory eternal!

Dear Jesus, please comfort and help Fr. James and Fr. Tryphon and fill them both with your peace and joy! Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

When i was wandering from Pentecostalism, non-denominationalism, and agnosticism, I bcriefly dabbled in "messianic judaism." His book helped me on the way home to Christ in His Church. Pray for us, Father!

I have known Father James for over 50 years, when he was simply Arnold Bernstein. This report saddens me greatly because all my memories of Arnold/James are of a young man whose dedication I admired. Yes, indeed he was an early participant with Jews for Jesus but more so with the Christian World Liberation Front. But with all due respect to all concerned, he was not “the founder of Jews for Jesus. That distinction belongs to Moishe Rosen, as father James will immediately acknowledge. But indeed, Father James was involved at the very beginning of the organization in California. His path in this world has been a very unusual one, but characterized by a determined and sacrificial dedication to the living God. I should be happy that he is passing from this life to the next, but I am sad at the same time. And I extend my prayers and best wishes to his wife, I knew as Bonnie, his children, and those who love him.

Fr James's looks so natural with his beard and his cross this is interview with a holly person what a beautiful human

Our beloved Father James! Thank you so much for posting this as I have not seen him in weeks and it is so good to see his sweet smiling face. Lord have mercy on Father James! 🙏🏼❤️☦️

I read Fr. James' book "Surprised by Christ" when I was an inquirer. Still have it on my shelf. Helped me very much on my journey. Thank you Father!

I am reading his book right now! May God bless him and keep him!!! I will pray for him!

May the Lord Jesus Christ welcome you in his kingdom amen

You’re helping the youth discover orthodoxy. Thank you.

Dumnezeu sa-l odihneasca cu dreptii!

Our family will pray and sing the Akathist Hymn for Fr. James this week.

Only recently I ordered his book "Surprised by Christ". God bless you James, I'll keep you in my prayers ☦️🙏!

God bless you.

Very beautiful ... just shows how special our Orthodox Faith is. May Father James fly to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and may his memory be eternal 🙏. As a final thought, it is important if we all did a memorial service at the Divine Liturgy during the 40 days for our dear Father James.

Memory eternal Father James.

So very very saddened to hear this from you, Father James. You surely are unaware of the extremely strong impact that you have had on the life of this poor soul. My prayers are always with you, even more so upon hearing this turn of events in your life. Please forgive me for unabashedly recommending the story of your conversion to Orthodoxy, "Surprised by Christ." It is an excellent read, on an excellent life. - God be merciful to you.

Much love Fr James! We love you dearly. Thank you for everything you have done for Christ. We are earnestly praying for you as you as God calls you home. Good strength during this time. You are so loved!

Powerful interaction on display here. Two lights shining in the darkness. May Christ guide us all in truth and love 🙏☦️💙

Oh wonderful Christian love! Father James, I pray for you, that you will hear that, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Living next to my in laws, last year we saw my FIL, a person who grew up on a Toppenish farm and who could work this retired Marine into the ground go from cancer diagnosis to passing in less than two weeks last June . 4 months later my mother in law, still beside herself with grief, was diagnosed with terminal lymphoma. I spent almost every day and most nights for two months bedside until she passed just before Christmas. The lessons we learned about ourselves and life could fill books.

May Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ hold Father James gently with His merciful grace and allow him to painfree transition in his next stage of his journey into Our Lord ☦️🙏

We will miss you father James please pray for us . Irene/Armodios kids. Anna Chrysie. Nicholas and Katherine Maria and Sophia. We always listened to your videos

Father James, may God give you and Matushka Martha good strength.

Memory Eternal for Father James! His autobiography was a tool that lead me from Protestantism to Holy Orthodoxy!

May the Lord be pleased with his faithful servant James

Even though this man is dying , his face looks like he has so much life left in him . Memory Eternal.

Abbott Tryphon, may God guide your surgeons.

Lord have mercy on us and on your servant James.

Christ Has Risen! ☦️❤️

I am not worthy to pray for you father but I will.

May his passing be peaceful.

Let his memory be eternal

God bless his soul. 🙏🏻

Lord have mercy. Thank you for sharing this beautiful interaction between two good friends.

Very touching video father. May the Lord bless you in the coming days for your surgery. Christ is risen! ☦

Bless you both, Father's. I see in action the words of St Paul, The love of Christ urges me on. God help us all to persevere in the Faith till death.

Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen! Thank you for everything, Dear Father James (and Fr. Tryphon)! May the Lord have mercy on all of us! Praying for you in Budapest, Subdeacon Philip Champion, assistant to Metropolitan Hilarion of Budapest and Hungary

That is hard to watch, cancer is a hell of a thing. I pray that Fr. James goes peacefully. Soon may it be soon that pain, sickness and even Death is defeated soon.

Memory eternal.

what a great sight full of brotherly love! please forgive the fool's many words, for this long message. Fathers, and Matushka, you have the prayers of the lowest person, Dismas Bailey. Father James, the mercy of God will find you! the Grace of God moved you to bring many lost to be found in Christ, and their prayers will help you along the way to Him. most of all, the Most Holy Theotokos will be a guide and a protector to you, she will light the path toward Christ and her Holy prayers will drive away the little tricksters. through the prayers of Saint James, may the Lord welcome you Home with open arms! when you find yourself in the Presence of the Lord, having received His mercy, please remember the dissolute, the profligate, the unworthy and impenitent Dismas Bailey. i, that sick one i speak of, long to be found with you and with God in rest and repose. with love from Baraboo, Wisconsin, and from St. John the Wonderworker ROCOR mission Parish in Portage, Wisconsin, Dismas Bailey Neil Vold 05/16/2024 ❤☦❤

May Christ shine his uncreated light of glory upon both of you. Glory be to God for your years and every blessing brought to fruition. 🙏☦️

I love you fr James!

Lord have mercy on Father James🙏☦️☦️☦️

And the words after this begin with..'if you have found this content to be a blessing...'. Oh, yes, this visit with the two dearly-loved priests and long-time friends has been a blessing.. as gentle tears flow. In my early journey to the Orthodox Church, i bought Fr. James' book. Even my mother read and liked it. Through the prayers of the Theotokos and all Thy saints, oh, Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy.. And dear Abt. TRYPHON, may we see your return from your surgery to us as soon as you can. ☦☦CHRIST IS RISEN!, and i hear the homily of St. John Chrysostom as i write those words. ☦💝📿💝☦

This was a blessing to see. Thank you fathers for allowing it! Fr. James has been a staple of West Coast Orthodoxy throughout my life. He has touched more lives than he knows. I will be praying for you both, and the Bernstien family.

God Bless you both. Prayers for both of you.

Fr James’ book is beautiful.

We so need you both in this these present turbulent times for the young people. God bless you both. We will miss you, Father James. "Well done thou good and faithful servant..."

father bless!fr james ,may God keep you in his heavenly kingdom

Prayers for your faithful servant Father Bernstein. Lord have mercy!

You have left us a library for us to study. Thank you for everything. Christ is risen!

Our Life together to God's Glory. Christ has risen. ☦

Christ is risen❤

God love you, fathers. 🙏🏻 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

There is a quote from the Tao Te Ching that says, "Man's highest aim is to become as rough and common as a stone." I found myself in the back of the Nave of St. John the Forerunner Monastery in Goldendale, WA during a meeting of Clergy and there was this Priest next to me. I didn't realize who he was, but the above quote was running through my mind. His face was weathered and very dignified and he wore a very rough wool cap on his head. I found out later that it was Fr. James Bernstein, whose books I had read! Fr. James embodies everything a Priest of the Most-High God ought to be and everything I aspire to as a man and an Orthodox Christian. Father James, Pray to God for us sinners!!!

two wonderful priests! Fr James pray for our nation when you see our Father in heaven.

The Lord keep Fr James!

God Bless you Father James. Thank you for all you have done.

This makes me feel both sad and happy. Nobody likes to see an honorable man die but he will be with the Lord soon and his pain will end and his joy will be immeasurable.

Christ is Risen !!

Glory to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, both now and forever ☦️

Lord have mercy! Thank you Fr. James for your example of grace, love, and faith!

Fr. James, I never meet a new inquirer without recommending your book Surprised by Christ or giving them some of your articles on booklet form. I tell them you've written something no man could invent, but that when they hear it their soul will recognize it as truth. Please Fathers, pray for the soul of our recently departed, young adult son, Jack, known in the church as John (the Theologian) and the family he's left behind. Fr James, we will add you to our nightly prayers for the departed. Thank you.

Thank you! Elias knew him slightly years ago!

Jock for Jesus checking in. Also, Fr James was peeling through that rope the entire time. He never stops.

Wow. Lord have mercy!

I'm so grateful, Father James, that you consented to speak with Father Tryphon, and with us. Praying for both of you, and for your families.