I am in the process of conversion to Orthodoxy from Catholicism. I had originally thought that I would join GOArch but the refuse to baptize me, my spiritual father is a Serbian archimandrite who went to seminary at Jordanville. He arranged to have me baptized at the ROCOR Cathedral in the Chicago area. I thought that he was simply going to baptize me into the Serbian Church, however, I came to find out that I will be joining ROCOR on May 18th, 2024. I visited that parish for the first time recently for a vespers service and as soon as I walked in something stirred in my soul and I had a confidence that this was it for me, this was my home that I had finally found. I just knew that God Willed for me to join ROCOR and I had to take the path that I did to get here. May God have mercy on our souls ☦️🇷🇺☦️
I am a Greek Orthodox who loves and respects ROCOR deeply because I spent 25 years in a ROCOR parish. The best years of my life because I was blessed to have experienced such grace especially from the Portaitisjsa, Kursk root icons and their hierarchy. I left because of the union with Moscow and not because I am against healing divisions in the church. I left with much trepidation and sadness because ecumenism still prevails in the MP. ROCOR needs to bring the unadulterated truth to the MP that was preserved abroad and not change its own core values. I pray for the ROCOR bishops that they safeguard every treasure handed down from their holy bishops which made this Church earn the respect of countless Orthodox across all jurisdictions of all nations. I still visit my old parish on occasion when the Kursk root icon is there. I am always received with much love after so many years of my absence.
ROCOR in Germany helped me to understand the faith better and also gave me the opportunity to celebrate the Divine Liturgy completely in the local language on some days. As a convert, ROCOR is very important to me because I learnt more from it than from the Serbian Orthodox Church where I was baptized, that's why I love ROCOR.
ROCOR was my introduction to Orthodox Christianity. I got to know Fr. Seraphim Rose of Platina personally during the seven months I lived at the St. Herman of Alaska skete, and he was a great influence on me. That, of course, was many years ago, and in time I fell away. When I came back, I told the priest who received me back that to me ROCOR is the best exemplar of authentic Orthodoxy in North America, so for me there was no question of going anywhere else, although due to circumstances I have occasionally attended elsewhere.
@@johannasselborn8435 At times (at least to me) Fr. Seraphim could come across as almost a little stiff and rigid. It took some time to get to know him that deep down there was a real Christian warmth. His "daily personal piety," if I may use such an expression, was notable but not ostentatious. There are some people who expect that he will glorified among the Saints. That is not for me as a simple layman to say, but if he is, I will not be surprised.
Paul Bartlett his influence on Orthodoxy especially in America is massive in scope. His work has enlightened so many. I hope to contact the Serbian Orthodox Church in America to discuss what laymen can do to help with his canonization.
@@johannasselborn8435 Wouldn't the first responsibility for canonization of Fr. Seraphim be with ROCOR and the Church in Russia? After all, he spent all of his Orthodox life and death in ROCOR as a spiritual son of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker. It was only after Fr. Seraphim's repose that the St. Herman of Alaska skete came under the Serbian jurisdiction (which was due, in part if I understood correctly, to some scandal).
Paul Bartlett from everything I’ve heard it appears that since St Herman’s is now under the Serbs they would be instrumental it producing the initial request for canonization.
Thank you for this video. I watched it at just the right time-at the end of a difficult day. God has used St. John and his sermon as a balm for me tonight. I love ROCOR because it is through men like St. John and Fr. Seraphim Rose of blessed memory that I came to Orthodoxy. They are at the same time uncompromising and compassionate, which is a rare combination of traits. It is evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Once I found out this happened in ROCOR I longed to join. Thankfully, I was able to join along with my wife and children this past Lazarus Saturday. Glory to God! Pleas pray for us: Joshua Mary Maximus Leo Finnian Clemence Augustine
I love the reality that although these Saints lived in recent times It is if they plucked out from a different era or generation Speaking of St John Maximovich In the akathist prayer 2, St John says "Even though I have died, yet am I alive " I enjoyed hearing St John's voice for the first time. Rocor because I attend the Russian orthodox church over many years is family to me it occupies a part in my heart that is tender peaceful and a stable . The videos on you tube which Rocor has created, lectures are edifying open my mind and encourage me to live a more spiritual life. God bless Rocor now and the in years ahead 🙏 Thank you Theoharris
Well said. Thank you. I love ROCOR because this is the church that sustained my parents and me as we emigrated from, fled actually, from the USSR in 1944, waited five years in post war Germany and were finally admitted to the USA in 1949. This is where my spiritual heart was nourished, where I was wed, where my children were baptised and where they too were wed and baptised their own children. This is the church which laid my parents and husband to eternal rest and hope it will do the same for me.
Let us make sure that we don't forget the following information. Today the Old and Authentic ROCOR is the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (ROCA) that was formed in 1920 by bishops who were forced to leave their homeland along with millions of Russian people, all fleeing the horrors of the communist system. The ROCA bishops, clergy, and laity remain loyal to the original mission of an independent ROCA. Despite protests from within the ranks of bishops, clergy, and laypeople, on May 17, 2007, a large part of the ROCA entered into Eucharistic communion with the MP with the signing of the “Act of Canonical Communion” and is now known as the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR - MP). The Moscow Patriarchate (MP) and the current ROCOR-MP do need to repent of the heresies of Ecumenism and Sergianism. The smaller part of ROCA that chose to remain loyal to the historical Russian Orthodox Church and to continue the mission of the ROCA is not in Eucharistic communion with the Moscow Patriarchate (MP), the state-controlled official Russian Church. The Churches of the ROCA remnant are present today in the Diaspora District of ROCA. The list of Parishes is present on the rocana and auroca web sites. The ROCA Churches are located in Australia, New Zealand, St. Petersburg, as well as in the U.S. and Canada. For these who would like to understand more about the history of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (ROCA) they can read the article "ROCA the Beacon Of Light" by Protopriest Nikita Grigoriev on the rocana web site. Also, we remember that the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (ROCA) Council of Bishops in August 1983 in the person of its Metropolitan Philaret of New York (1903-1985), noting the extent of the Ecumenist contagion, issued an Anathema to Ecumenism in the straight line of the Holy Fathers, condemning anyone who participated in this heresy. When the Church pronounces anathema on a certain heresy, we must NOT forget that it is for eternity. Anathema to Ecumenism (1983) "To those who attack the Church of Christ by teaching that Christ’s Church is divided into so-called “branches” which differ in doctrine and way of life, or that the Church does not exist visibly, but will be formed in the future when all “branches” or sects or denominations, and even religions will be united into one body; and who do not distinguish the priesthood and mysteries of the Church from those of the heretics, but say that the baptism and eucharist of heretics is effectual for salvation; therefore, to those who knowingly have communion with these aforementioned heretics or who advocate, disseminate, or defend their new heresy of Ecumenism under the pretext of brotherly love or the supposed unification of separated Christians, Anathema! --- Note: The relics of Metropolitan Philaret of New York were found to be completely incorrupt in 1998.
Can someone explain the difference between ROCOR-MP, ROCOR-A and ROCA? Why did ROCOR-A break away? Communism ended so what is the main issue with joining with the Patriarchate of Moscow?? I’m going to a GOARCH Church now from Roman Catholicism and eventually I would like to move and join a ROCOR Parish but this issue confuses me a little. Thank you in advance 🙏
Today the Old and Authentic ROCOR is the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (ROCA) that was formed in 1920 by bishops who were forced to leave their homeland along with millions of Russian people, all fleeing the horrors of the communist system. The ROCA bishops, clergy, and laity remain loyal to the original mission of an independent ROCA. Despite protests from within the ranks of bishops, clergy, and laypeople, on May 17, 2007, a large part of the ROCA entered into Eucharistic communion with the MP with the signing of the “Act of Canonical Communion” and is now known as the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR - MP). The Moscow Patriarchate (MP) and the current ROCOR-MP do need to repent of the heresies of Ecumenism and Sergianism. The smaller part of ROCA that chose to remain loyal to the historical Russian Orthodox Church and to continue the mission of the ROCA is not in Eucharistic communion with the Moscow Patriarchate (MP), the state-controlled official Russian Church. The Churches of the ROCA remnant are present today in the Diaspora District of ROCA. The list of Parishes is present on the rocana and auroca web sites. The ROCA Churches are located in Australia, New Zealand, St. Petersburg, as well as in the U.S. and Canada. For these who would like to understand more about the history of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (ROCA) they can read the article "ROCA the Beacon Of Light" by Protopriest Nikita Grigoriev on the rocana web site. Also, we remember that the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (ROCA) Council of Bishops in August 1983 in the person of its Metropolitan Philaret of New York (1903-1985), noting the extent of the Ecumenist contagion, issued an Anathema to Ecumenism in the straight line of the Holy Fathers, condemning anyone who participated in this heresy. When the Church pronounces anathema on a certain heresy, we must NOT forget that it is for eternity. Anathema to Ecumenism (1983) "To those who attack the Church of Christ by teaching that Christ’s Church is divided into so-called “branches” which differ in doctrine and way of life, or that the Church does not exist visibly, but will be formed in the future when all “branches” or sects or denominations, and even religions will be united into one body; and who do not distinguish the priesthood and mysteries of the Church from those of the heretics, but say that the baptism and eucharist of heretics is effectual for salvation; therefore, to those who knowingly have communion with these aforementioned heretics or who advocate, disseminate, or defend their new heresy of Ecumenism under the pretext of brotherly love or the supposed unification of separated Christians, Anathema! --- Note: The relics of Metropolitan Philaret of New York were found to be completely incorrupt in 1998.
Men in the Priesthood should not be involved with secular authorities. In the past this was beneficial because people had a conscience and didn't have a lifetime of secular atheistic teachings and would listen. Now, we have truly evil people who will not be swayed morally due to an atheist upbringing, they do not listen to the heart, they rationalise their sins.
