Orthodox Talks in English – No. 1: Near Death and Out of Body Experiences

One can find a large number of books in almost any bookstore or library, some of them bestsellers, on “Near-Death Experiences.” Moreover, these experiences are also portrayed on the Internet, on television, and in films. They relate the experiences of people who have nearly died or who in fact have died and then returned to life. Such people often describe meeting a “being of light” that is full of love and non-judgemental. Accounts of these “Near-Death Experiences” have influenced public opinion on matters relating to death and the afterlife.

Many, unfortunately including some Orthodox Christians, feel that this new teaching offers a more enlightened and humane approach towards death and dying. These accounts have even been promoted as a helpful way to prepare the dying for the transition from this life to the next. It is claimed that these accounts remove the fear of death, replacing it with a calm acceptance of, or even an eager anticipation of death and the afterlife.

Some of the topics included in this talk are: ancient civilizations and their belief in the afterlife; why scientists and doctors have become interested in dying and the afterlife; negative opinions about traditional Christian teachings on the afterlife; how modern near-death and afterlife experiences promote suicide; spiritual communism in the West; visions at the time of death; society’s need to help the dying; why many cannot feel emotions without a “movie soundtrack”; does love justify everything? is love an excuse for adultery? society’s objection to the mentioning of hell as a reality; the three types of ESP: natural, divine and demonic.

Talk Duration: 130 minutes

With the blessing of His Eminence Hilarion
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

The content of this talk does not necessarily
reflect the official position of ROCOR.

Orthodox Talks in English – No. 10 – The Struggle of Saint Xenia the Fool-for-Christ for Her Unrepentant Departed Husband

Saint Xenia was happily married to an army colonel who suddenly died while drinking with his friends, without Confession and Holy Communion. In order to repent for her husband’s sins, Saint Xenia began to wear his uniform and insist that she be called by his name. Taking up a life of homeless wandering and foolishness for Christ’s sake in St. Petersburg, Russia, she endured mockery and abuse from Orthodox Christians who did not understand her. She is an example of a woman who loved her husband so much that, after his death, she dedicated the remaining time of her life to struggling for his soul by means of prayer and almsgiving.

Saint Xenia is especially called upon for help with everyday problems, such as finding employment, housing, a spouse, or missing children. She also helps those suffering from alcoholism, marital problems, childlessness, and depression.

Among the topics included in this talk are: the temptations of those who serve in the Church – altar boys, readers, chanters, clergy; Christians who ignore their selfishness; not regarding everyday tasks as spiritual; child abuse in the spiritual life; childbearing; the beauty of loving one’s spouse; finding a spouse; love beyond the grave; the highest form of love; the “magic” of credit cards; whether homosexuals are born that way; whether paedophilia should be considered one of the passions; martyrs in hospitals; the two types of unrepentant Christians; whether good can come of catastrophe; emotional funerals; how God can look over everyone’s life simultaneously; the deception of “loving” your enemies; spiritual reasons for ADHD; whether women can work while raising children; soul killers; praying for the non-Orthodox; and more.

Talk Duration: 135 minutes

Chanting Duration: 33 minutes
Sermon Duration: 34 minutes

With the blessing of His Eminence Hilarion
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

The content of this talk does not necessarily
reflect the official position of ROCOR.

Orthodox Talks in English – No. 11: Better to Marry Than to Burn with Passion

Even though we are living in a time of sexual freedom and “enlightenment”, there is no doubt that we are also living in a time when the number of sexually related problems is at its highest. Pornography, fornication, adultery, paedophilia, and other abnormal sexual practices testify to the truth that sexuality outside of the Church’s teachings has disastrous consequences. Because of the high exposure in our society to sexual immorality, Saint Paul’s advice is a matter of salvation: “If they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion (I Cor. 7:9)”

The Church Fathers teach that in order to avoid fornication, it is better for parents to encourage their children to marry at an early age. The Fathers further teach that the main purpose of marriage is the avoidance of sexual immorality, child-bearing being its secondary purpose. In today’s society, fornication is encouraged and glorified, and, child-bearing and marriage are looked at in a negative way.

Some of the topics included in this talk are: the dangers of married people reading books only on monasticism; the attraction between males and females; is virginity greater than marriage? the openness of the saints regarding sexuality; the distortion of marriage and sexuality in the media; does the Church regard sex as dirty and sinful? fornication and adultery; is celibacy unnatural? children and sex education; repulsion towards marriage; distractions of everyday life; can mental illness be beneficial at times? differences between marriage and monasticism; blaming the devil for our sins; heterodox marriages; divorce and the Church; heterodox and salvation.

Talk Duration: 135 minutes

With the blessing of His Eminence Hilarion
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

The content of this talk does not necessarily
reflect the official position of ROCOR.

Orthodox Talks in English – No.12: Whom to Marry and Whom Not to Marry

If one decides to marry, then whom to marry and whom not to marry should be the most important decision that needs to be made. It can even be said that this decision will determine the outcome of the marriage. The correct decision of whom to marry is essential for the success of a marriage. A wrong decision can have disastrous consequences as can be seen from the increased rate of divorce, marital problems, violence, adultery, etc.

Social dating, Internet dating and chat rooms, pre-marital sex, de facto relationships, Internet match-making, etc, are some of the ways people use to find their future spouse. Many Orthodox Christians also use such methods and therefore the following questions arise: are any of these methods appropriate for an Orthodox Christian and if not, how else would one meet someone for the purpose of marriage?

Some of the topics included in this talk are: is there such a thing as love at first sight? the stress of dating and intimate relationships; obtaining information on dating and sexuality from magazines and television; strange reasons for attraction to the opposite sex; the correct attitude towards marriage; the stance of Protestants and Catholics regarding the abstaining from sex before marriage; the difficulty of “socialising” without drugs or alcohol; is compatibility necessary for marriage? sick emotional relationships; is there such a thing as a soul mate? can dating negatively affect one’s future marriage? is it necessary to scrutinize a possible future spouse? pornography and its effect on the marriage; sex with no strings attached; are arranged marriages ridiculous? should love exist before marriage? can emotions be dangerous when choosing a spouse? preparing for marriage while being single; should some people remain single? seeking God’s will when choosing a spouse; mental illness and marriage; physical sickness and marriage.

Talk Duration: 160 minutes

With the blessing of His Eminence Hilarion
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

The content of this talk does not necessarily
reflect the official position of ROCOR.

Orthodox Talks in English – No.13: Marriage – Agony or Blessedness?

Marriage is extremely difficult. Few people nowadays prepare themselves for the challenges of marriage-and the result is frequently disastrous. A successful marriage requires not only spiritual preparation (as many in the Church believe) but also the acquiring of practical life skills such as the ability to perform domestic duties, to deal with financial responsibilities, to form lasting and healthy relationships, to communicate effectively, to be good parents, etc. Both of these forms of preparation need to be acquired over a long period of time in the single life. Unfortunately, many try to acquire them just before marriage or even in the marriage. The single life is very valuable for the proper preparation for marriage. Unfortunately, many consider the single life as a time for fun and freedom, and the married life as restrictive or even repressive.

Some of the topics included in this talk are: looking for love through drugs; looking for divine signs; worldly beauty versus spiritual beauty; emotional and mental problems before marriage; Saint John Chrysostom on the murdering of children’s souls; the irresponsible single life; the obsession of finding a spouse; dating and courtship; is it sexist to say that the man is the head of the woman? pagan Christians; looking at others as sex objects; intimacy before marriage; should others be involved in choosing a spouse? the importance of good communication in marriage; cold feet before the wedding; the importance of the single life; whether to remain single or get married; “rent-a-hubby”; sexual passions in the single and married life; many children are becoming shipwrecks of life; music, television and the spiritual life; sometimes it is better to stay single rather than get married; women, family and work; God wants different forms of inequality in the world.

Talk Duration: 160 minutes

With the blessing of His Eminence Hilarion
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

The content of this talk does not necessarily
reflect the official position of ROCOR.

Orthodox Talks in English – No. 14: Are We Seeking Salvation or Are We Deceiving Ourselves and Others?

Many Orthodox Christians participate in the life of the Church—praying, fasting, confessing, communing, singing, etc. But how many of these people are genuinely seeking their salvation? The purpose of life on earth is the salvation of one’s soul. Christians need to seek out those who are struggling for their salvation and do likewise.

Bringing into focus the neglected subject of spiritual life and the struggle for salvation, Fr. Kosmas addresses a variety of questions: What is the sign of true love? Why is there so little apparent difference between the Orthodox and non-Orthodox of today? What are the three main problems facing Orthodox Christians? Why is spiritual activity so difficult in our times? Can today’s Christians pray without ceasing? Is compromise ever permissible? Is it wrong to love a non-Christian? Is it right to force someone to repent? Who is a true theologian? Why can trying to understand church canons be dangerous? Do anathemas apply to those outside the Church? Do saints make mistakes? Can they fall into pride? Who told Saint Anthony to mind his own business? Who was Rasputin? Can we judge those who lived through communism? What’s wrong with adultery?

Also included in this talk are discussions about the dangerous effects of worldly distractions, the benefit of close contact with monasteries, the devil’s attitude toward those who seek salvation, converting others through prayer, the proper understanding of church canons, humility—an antidote to pride, the Church—not always black and white, fanaticism in the Church, and prophecies regarding Christians and the last times.

Talk Duration: 182 minutes

With the blessing of His Eminence Hilarion
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

The content of this talk does not necessarily
reflect the official position of ROCOR.

Orthodox Talks in English – No. 15: The Life of Elder Paisios of Mount Athos

Elder Paisios, one of Greece’s most famous elders, was born in 1924. From an early age he had the desire to live a life of asceticism. At 21 years of age, he was drafted into the army, and for four years he fought against the communists who were trying to take control of Greece. In 1954 he became a monk on Mount Athos and in time became known for his holiness, in particular his gift of clairvoyance. Thousands of people from all over the world nocked to him to receive guidance, consolation, hope, and insight into their problems. He could see not only events that were occurring at that time but also future events. He healed illnesses of soul and body, warned against dangers, and revealed the will of God. For many years until his repose in 1994, the Elder suffered from a number of terrible sicknesses.

Some of the questions answered in this talk: Should uneducated monks teach the educated? Why is humility so important? Can passionate priests guide souls? Should we blame ourselves for the evil in the world? Can hopelessness lead one to God? God or medicine? What is joyful sorrow? Are we at fault for ecumenism? Should prayers be made for those committing great sins?

Also included in this talk are discussions about fantasy in the spiritual life; robotic obedience; the difficulty of understanding spiritual matters with the mind; working on Sundays and Feast days; the love of prayer; abusing children with TV; ignoring the Church; the difficulty of loving our neighbour; religious liars; sacrificing our lives for others; the dangers of trusting our thoughts; the power of patience; the importance of unceasing prayer for the world; the benefit of seeing our weakness; large families in our times; the death of a saint; and striving for holiness can be dangerous.

Talk Duration: 190 minutes

With the blessing of His Eminence Hilarion
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

The content of this talk does not necessarily
reflect the official position of ROCOR.

Orthodox Talks in English – No. 16 – Encounters with Elder Paisios of Mount Athos

Elder Paisios (1924-1994) was a rare ascetic and man of prayer in our modern world. As a God-bearing elder, he had the prophetic gift of being able to see into men’s souls, and, from his hermitage on the Holy Mountain, he guided and healed thousands of people who came to him with their spiritual and physical infirmities.

In this talk, Father Kosmas relates the experiences of a number of people who visited the Elder: their problems, concerns, questions, and the Elder’s response in each case. This not only provides a clear illustration of the gift of eldership, but the wide range of topics discussed in the course of these encounters is sure to interest anyone trying to lead a Christian life in this age of religious confusion.

The Elder addresses such questions as: Can our sins affect our loved ones? What is meant by being tied to the devil? Why does God allow incurable illnesses? Is it always beneficial to witness a miracle? Based on the Elder’s teachings, Father Kosmas expands on some of these subjects and introduces others: Is walking on water a sign of holiness? Why did Elder Paisios refuse to see a certain person? How was he able to stop a young man from committing suicide? Why can it be dangerous to dismiss an elder’s advice? What is the difference between the clairvoyance of an Orthodox elder and a psychic? Can all holy people guide souls?

Also included in this talk are discussions about the effects of Internet pornography on spiritual life; intellectual spirituality and pride of the mind; trusting one’s thoughts, mental illness and deception; how to distinguish between real and fake or demonically-inspired miracles; practicing obedience even to non-Orthodox; UFO abductions; and a young man’s encounter with demons on Mount Athos.

Talk Duration: 208 minutes

With the blessing of His Eminence Hilarion
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

The content of this talk does not necessarily
reflect the official position of ROCOR.

Orthodox Talks in English – No. 17 – Counsels of Elder Paisios of Mount Athos

Elder Paisios was a simple monk who lived on Mount Athos, Greece. Leading a holy life, he became filled with the wisdom of God, and was able during his lifetime to bring great benefit to numberless people with his counsels, which have since been translated into many languages. The elder was our contemporary— he died in 1994—and he was acquainted with many of the problems and spiritual confusion that we face today, making his counsels particularly valuable to us.

Based on these counsels, Priestmonk Kosmas answers the following questions: Does God ever refuse to forgive us? The Evil Eye—truth or superstition? Is zeal to convert others always good? How can priests help those who are under the influence of cults and gurus? Are some lies half sins? Can saying the Jesus Prayer ever be spiritually damaging? Is there a benefit to the family when a young child dies?

Also included in this talk are discussions about the sins of parents affecting their children; the need for priests to speak up about the occult and sorcery; feminists and abortion; the need for discernment when dealing with dreams, apparitions and demonic influence; the widespread disrespect of children towards their parents; unbaptised children; The Da Vinci Code; retarded or mentally ill children; brain-washing within the Church; the importance of Orthodox Christian doctors and psychiatrists; anxiety and sexual problems; and the spiritual benefit of the world’s economic crisis.

Talk Duration: 180 minutes

With the blessing of His Eminence Hilarion
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

The content of this talk does not necessarily
reflect the official position of ROCOR.