The Priesthood in Orthodox Christianity | Fr. Zechariah Lynch 

Become Orthodox.

I remember my protestant pastor explaining how hard it is to pastor. It made me think differently of the "career." It can be glamorized. I don't think parishioners know what all a truly devoted pastor or priest goes through. You know?

⁠@@garlicgirl3149, I don’t know if I could say with as much conviction as the priest in this video, but much of what he said echoed so much of my thoughts and fears about becoming a Protestant Pastor. Always James 3:1 was in my mind and I wanted there to be more than I “felt” called to the pastorate as I felt the weight of that calling. Long before I became a pastor I knew that within my hands would be the souls of many people and I trembled at the idea that if my desire to be a pastor was mine alone how dreadful it would be for me at judgement. Once I became a pastor it was so increasingly difficult as I knew how unworthy I was to be a pastor. I, who sin again and again and again must now preach to “you” the Gospel and plead with you to change the course and direction of your life. I who having obtained three masters degrees had myriads of answers was always still searching, pondering, wondering, not completely certain about my own questions was now supposed to guide “you” into the Kingdom of God! Was I even going to make it??? Then, the flesh is ready to react too! Oh how I hated it when people would say, “Pastor, don’t you have it pretty easy? I mean all ya gotta do is get up a say some words once a week.” For me, it was like sheesh man, don’t you know I’m pouring over my sermon and the Bible hours upon hours hoping I do well enough that whatever I say is “right” or accurately understood and leads to fruit in your life? Or that another would hear and perhaps be saved? (Orthodoxy has now made clear how much I was a Christian Atheist in practice despite deeply desiring to “win souls for Christ” or “to help others grow towards God in love and maturity” as I sadly operated in such a way that God didn’t actually exist and it was I that needed to “save” others by convincing them of the idea of God as presented in my sermon, teaching, etc.). As that comment came up I grew increasingly frustrated as I’d never get a free weekend (no spontaneous trips like others or just a weekend to chill). I’d lament how my time was always taken for granted (sure you can call me up right now at 7:45 pm in the middle of my time with family to chit chat about nothing for an hour that you just needed to get off your chest! Or how often I opened the church and set up for the event or conference or Bible study alone. Or… Then you’re often alone. You can’t really be friends with anyone like others in the church. Whether others treat you as though you’re too holy for this or that. Or they don’t want their pastor around in case they’re in Sin and don’t want to repent or give up this sin you don’t see on Sunday. When I discovered the Orthodox Church and resigns from my pastorate I felt sad for my people (I hoped they’d follow me) as I truly loved them, but I also had immense peace in knowing I’d be a pastor no more! Truly it is difficult to be a pastor. You should pray for your pastor/priest always! It’s hard, it’s misunderstood, it’s a great burden, and it’s lonely.

Amen. I had to stop watching because the weight of his emotions was getting too much for me to bear. I was forced to close my eyes and become prayerful. That's the power of the Holy Spirit, I guess .....

Well put.

God bless you my brother. You have beautifully put in words what was very difficult to articulate.

Terribly beautiful

@@daphnepearce9411 you’re right, I fixed it 😊

​@@saosaoldian6742 χρήστης άνεση!

yeah?

Im not an orthodox but their online presence has helped me so much. I don’t take it lightly, I want to be one. I just feel that I would be a disgrace to the faith

And pray tell, what all is your experience?

@@Daltron5K that's good you feel like that, it means the demons can see you're pointing in the right direction & are sending you prideful temptations to keep you away from Christ's church!

@@Daltron5KCome to Christ as you are, don’t try to make yourself perfect ☦️

Glory to God!

He is worshipping Jesus in the beauty of holiness

Indeed He is risen!

Truly He is Risen!

Alithos Anesti !

Thank you! God bless

If he follows CHRIST and speaks the Truth, there is no way to avoid rejection from some people, MANY, in fact. But he does this out of profound love...as did Jesus Who suffered everything for us out of LOVE beyond our understanding . CHRIST IS RISEN! ☦💝📿💝☦

The priest’s family carries a heavy burden, for sure. But this isn’t a bad thing. Balance is needed: for the priest, his home is his “first church” and his family is his primary responsibility. Some priests mess this up, and some don’t. Sometimes, even when things are good, the family can experience suffering due to the struggles of the priesthood. Priests need the prayers of their flock and the support of those people so that their families can thrive. In the end, being the family of a priest is truly a great treasure, IF that priest can find a life of prayer and a healthy balance in church and family life. This is a real challenge.

They are very real...