Tollhouse

Here's a link to a Illumined Heart podcast, from Ancient Faith Radio, where Fr. Thomas Hopko discusses them.

http://audio.ancientfaith.com/illuminedheart/hopko_tolls.mp3


I'm sure you'll get some more input later.

RobNJ said:

Here's a link to a Illumined Heart podcast, from Ancient Faith Radio, where Fr. Thomas Hopko discusses them.

http://audio.ancientfaith.com/illuminedheart/hopko_tolls.mp3


I'm sure you'll get some more input later.

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This is an excellent treatment of the subject, balanced and honest. It is really worth a listen.

God bless,
Fr Dn Kevin

P.S. and please, for the love of all that is good, do not get your information on this subject from an internet forum. Fr Hopko is reputable and holy. Listen to him, not us. PLEASE!

Padraig said:

P.S. and please, for the love of all that is good, do not get your information on this subject from an internet forum. Fr Hopko is reputable and holy. Listen to him, not us. PLEASE!

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THIS is undoubtedly, the best post on the subject I've ever seen on an internet forum!!!

Thanks for the link - I've been listening and it's helped me figure out what on earth everyone else is talking about.

And because I can't resist...

COOKIES!!!

Padraig said:

This is an excellent treatment of the subject, balanced and honest. It is really worth a listen.

God bless,
Fr Dn Kevin

P.S. and please, for the love of all that is good, do not get your information on this subject from an internet forum. Fr Hopko is reputable and holy. Listen to him, not us. PLEASE!

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Please turn your rep button on, Father Kevin.

Great advice. Father Hopko is a wonderful retreat master.

Yum, Tollhouse cookies.

I used to like the ones with pecans and chocolate chips.

However, I cannot eat chocolate anymore.

Mmm pecans and chocolate chips. Now you've got me hungry - I'll have to do some baking soon

This was a very insightful and edifying broadcast. Thank you for posting it, Rob.

Padraig said:

This is an excellent treatment of the subject, balanced and honest. It is really worth a listen.

God bless,
Fr Dn Kevin

P.S. and please, for the love of all that is good, do not get your information on this subject from an internet forum. Fr Hopko is reputable and holy. Listen to him, not us. PLEASE!

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Thx for the post.

The link is not working for me..

But the correct teahing of the tollhouses is that they are stops along the way of our ascent to heaven. Each stop has different type of sins, and each stop is manded by a demon. An angel guides you through them, and as you pass by each one, the demon shows you your sins, and argues that your soul should go to them. Your angel is your "lawyer" for lack of a better term, that defends you against them, such as they were forgiven, etc. An example is when St. Anthony was caught up in the spirit and witnessed his own ascension. The demon showed what sins he commited in life, and the angel said that only the sins he commited after he became a monk counted, and none counted before he became a monk because those were wiped clean. The demon had nothing to show, and St. Anthony was allowed to ascend.

Many past Saints have spoken of something concerning tollhouse, from St. John Chrysostom to St. Isaac of Syria. The problem is that many people misunderstand them, and come to the conlusion that demons are judgeing you, when that is not the case. Jesus, through the angel has the final say on whether you ascend or not..the demons can only try to throw accusations at you..

A good article on the tollhouses. Many Saints ae mentioned, and there quotes concerning what are the tollhouses..

http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/death/tollhouse_pomaz.aspx

All4Christ said:

Can anyone explain to me what the concept of the Tollhouse really is? I've heard the general concept - something about 40 days in between when you die and go to heaven...where you are tempted in increasing amounts with the weaknesses you had on earth. I honestly never even thought of the possibility of this. Do any of you have any resources that I might be able to read about this (I know about Fr Seraphim Rose's book - but if possible - I would like to read more than just one source about it).

Thank you...

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As a catechumen i dont think you need to worry about the toll houses. Its not an official teaching. Most dont agree on exactly what this belief is.

Some dont believe in it, others believe in it in varying degrees. For instance some believe its an allegory. Some believe its literal, except the part about the 20 specific toll houses. Others believe in the 20 aerial toll houses but also add; that demons can drag you to hell if your sins are really bad.

Instead i strongly recommend the less sensational and excellent book "The World Beyond the Grave or the Afterlife" by bishop Athenagoras Cavadas. You can google it. One of the best books on the subject.

Even the concept of 40 days to heaven is problematic. Some believe that upon death the soul remains on earth for 3 days then angels will escort it to the place prepared for it, but in the greek tradition the soul remains for 40 days on earth like Christ remained for 40 days till his ascension. The belief of the soul lingering is non-official and should be considered as a pious tradition only.

The lesson I take from all this and that is: I best be ready. I best be prepared. I best train my spirit to seek the Lord at all times, even when guilt, regret, pride, cold, callous and uncaring try to gain a foothold. In face of condemnation by the demons, where will I turn? I best fashion my heart as of wax vice clay lest it be harden by God's fire (love).

that is a teaching I will never accept ...

a person goes through life with enough of that without having to be bombarded by such things after death ...

forgive me.....

that is a teaching I will never accept ...

a person goes through life with enough of that without having to be bombarded by such things after death ...

forgive me.....

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yeah but do the demons see it that way?