Vacation Sermon

[LaSorcia]

I visited a church today while on vacation and was pretty shocked by the sermon. I've never heard one like this in any Orthodox church. The priest announced personal prophecies he stated received from the archangel Michael, and from God as well. I'm assuming this isn't okay? He also presented a lot of conspiracy theories as fact (the anti-Christ has taken over the media, democratic party and our government, the anti-Christ is a Jew). I feel kind of shaken by hearing preaching like this in an Orthodox church. There was a lot of vitriol and several people walked out of church. Please pray for this parish and priest.

 

[Pavel Mosko]

hmmm I've heard that sort of thing from Protestant Charismatics..... I wonder if this guy was once a convert, who is Chrismating his old ways.

 

[tapi]

I visited a church today while on vacation and was pretty shocked by the sermon. I've never heard one like this in any Orthodox church. The priest announced personal prophecies he stated received from the archangel Michael, and from God as well. I'm assuming this isn't okay? He also presented a lot of conspiracy theories as fact (the anti-Christ has taken over the media, democratic party and our government, the anti-Christ is a Jew). I feel kind of shaken by hearing preaching like this in an Orthodox church. There was a lot of vitriol and several people walked out of church. Please pray for this parish and priest.

There are a few more or less deranged individuals who disseminate such ideas from a clerical position. However, they are a hyper-minority and in most places, would get suspended or defrocked. While it's depressing to hear that sort of guff from the mouths of clergy, it's not a widespread phenomenon, despite these folks being very vocal about their conceptions.

 

[Pavel Mosko]

I visited a church today while on vacation and was pretty shocked by the sermon. I've never heard one like this in any Orthodox church. The priest announced personal prophecies he stated received from the archangel Michael, and from God as well. I'm assuming this isn't okay? He also presented a lot of conspiracy theories as fact (the anti-Christ has taken over the media, democratic party and our government, the anti-Christ is a Jew). I feel kind of shaken by hearing preaching like this in an Orthodox church. There was a lot of vitriol and several people walked out of church. Please pray for this parish and priest.

Would it be that wrong to email his bishop or Diocese etc? The Bible after all mentions that "prophecy" should be judged.


And the same goes for teaching etc. especially something that is suppose to be a Homily. That is suppose to be a sacramental act that prepares you to receive the eucharist.

 

[LaSorcia]

Would it be that wrong to email his bishop or Diocese etc? The Bible after all mentions that "prophecy" should be judged.

He told people to do just that at the beginning of the sermon, if they didn't like what he said. Being a visitor, I thought perhaps there was an issue with gossip in the parish until I listened further. It really made me so sad.

 

[Pavel Mosko]

He told people to do just that at the beginning of the sermon, if they didn't like what he said. Being a visitor, I thought perhaps there was an issue with gossip in the parish until I listened further. It really made me so sad.

lol in that case I would take him up on that suggestion. OF course if he says that maybe he knows that his bishop believes the same thing.

But it is worth knowing and doing. Years ago there was a web site that posted noncanonical "Orthodox" churches, and gave a little bio and list where they were so the faithful would not be taken in by just by their name. Anyway maybe this needs to be done for some EO parishes that are still technically canonical but fallen off the deep end.

 

[ArmyMatt]

sounds like a schismatic to me

 

[Not David]

I visited a church today while on vacation and was pretty shocked by the sermon. I've never heard one like this in any Orthodox church. The priest announced personal prophecies he stated received from the archangel Michael, and from God as well. I'm assuming this isn't okay? He also presented a lot of conspiracy theories as fact (the anti-Christ has taken over the media, democratic party and our government, the anti-Christ is a Jew). I feel kind of shaken by hearing preaching like this in an Orthodox church. There was a lot of vitriol and several people walked out of church. Please pray for this parish and priest.

I don't think the Anti-Christ is here, though Church Fathers have mentioned him being Jewish so not a "conspiracy theory".

The visions are something to worried about.

 

[Mary of Bethany]

Are you sure it was a canonical parish? That just sounds bizarre!

 

[Phronema]

I'd be curious to know which Orthodox church this was as I agree that it sounds like a schismatic. Or maybe the question isn't appropriate, but if not I'd definitely notify the bishop if I were you.

Also, while I understand your concern I wouldn't be too shaken. The Orthodox Church as a whole doesn't condone, or approve of what this priest has done, or said. I'm quite sure he's the exception, and not the rule.

 

[LaSorcia]

Are you sure it was a canonical parish? That just sounds bizarre!

Yes, it most definitely was. I'd been there in the past and never experienced this.

 

[Phronema]

Yes, it most definitely was. I'd been there in the past and never experienced this.

Then I'd definitely notify the bishop.

 

[Mary of Bethany]

Yes, it most definitely was. I'd been there in the past and never experienced this.

Lord, have mercy!

 

[rusmeister]

I visited a church today while on vacation and was pretty shocked by the sermon. I've never heard one like this in any Orthodox church. The priest announced personal prophecies he stated received from the archangel Michael, and from God as well. I'm assuming this isn't okay? He also presented a lot of conspiracy theories as fact (the anti-Christ has taken over the media, democratic party and our government, the anti-Christ is a Jew). I feel kind of shaken by hearing preaching like this in an Orthodox church. There was a lot of vitriol and several people walked out of church. Please pray for this parish and priest.

Sounds like serious prelest.
Although he’s not wrong about the mass media and major political parties in general...
But the rest is kooky and not well-founded. Seeing angels sets off alarm bells.

 

[TheLostCoin]

the anti-Christ has taken over the media, democratic party and our government, the anti-Christ is a Jew

I mean he's not wrong

 

[LaSorcia]

Satan definitely tries to influence nations and their institutions for the detriment of human beings. That's not the same thing as saying the anti-Christ has already taken over the United States. Along with calling certain people "black- hearted", and saying about other prominent figures, "every word that comes out of their mouth is from Satan."
Even worse than the long-lasting diatribe was the statement, "I'm not changing my sermons for anyone!" That's not the humble attitude one hopes for in clergy.

 

[archer75]

Satan definitely tries to influence nations and their institutions for the detriment of human beings. That's not the same thing as saying the anti-Christ has already taken over the United States. Along with calling certain people "black- hearted", and saying about other prominent figures, "every word that comes out of their mouth is from Satan."
Even worse than the long-lasting diatribe was the statement, "I'm not changing my sermons for anyone!" That's not the humble attitude one hopes for in clergy.

It sounds very likely that this priest needs help from his bishop and maybe others. May Christ God help him!

 

[Lukaris]

It seems like the sermon falls into a typical “us vs. them” pattern which seems to often end up sounding ridiculous. I would think we should be warned about a pervasive spirit that uses up an individual, chews, them up & spits them out. We need to be girded in our faith & do our best to pray for many who are duped by spiritual evil.

 

[ArmyMatt]

yeah, it sounds like he needs prayers. Lord have mercy!

 

[Pavel Mosko]

yeah, it sounds like he needs prayers. Lord have mercy!

Do the EO have any kind of psychiatric services in this country, if this guy is becoming schizophrenic etc.?