Question About Tongues

[BNR32FAN]

I’m just curious if anyone has an information on speaking in tongues in the EOC recently? Are there any EOC members who currently or recently practice this gift?

 

[Lukaris]

I’m just curious if anyone has an information on speaking in tongues in the EOC recently? Are there any EOC members who currently or recently practice this gift?

Here is an explanation from the Greek Archdiocese in America.

Speaking in Tongues: An Orthodox Perspective - Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America - Orthodox Church

Speaking in Tongues, "Glossolalia," a popular practice with many Churches today, is a phenomenon which can be traced to the days of the Apostles. A decade ago, Speaking in Tongues was encountered only in Pentecostal Churches, Revival Meetings, Quaker gatherings and some Methodist groups. Today...

www.goarch.org

 

[ArmyMatt]

I’m just curious if anyone has an information on speaking in tongues in the EOC recently? Are there any EOC members who currently or recently practice this gift?

yes, but it’s rare. I know one who did.

 

[BNR32FAN]

Here is an explanation from the Greek Archdiocese in America.

Speaking in Tongues: An Orthodox Perspective - Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America - Orthodox Church

Speaking in Tongues, "Glossolalia," a popular practice with many Churches today, is a phenomenon which can be traced to the days of the Apostles. A decade ago, Speaking in Tongues was encountered only in Pentecostal Churches, Revival Meetings, Quaker gatherings and some Methodist groups. Today...

www.goarch.org

Thanks for that information it was very helpful in understanding the EOC position on speaking in tongues and I completely agree with it. I’ve never received the gift and to be honest I’ve never sought for it or prayed for it. I’ve always thought that if the Holy Spirit wanted me to have such a gift He will bestow it upon me. For the most part I’m actually very skeptical when I hear people say that they can do it. One thing that I’ve noticed is that I see a lot of people who claim to have the gift but their theology is so far from Orthodoxy that it makes me question the validity of their claim. I just find it hard to believe that someone might receive such a Spiritual gift yet not receive corrective guidance on their theology. I would expect that someone who is this in touch with the Holy Spirit would receive corrective guidance on their theology from Him. I saw a thread on the subject and I didn’t want to make any comments on it there, I was just curious if any of the EOC brethren were receiving such gifts. Thanks again for the info have a blessed evening.

 

[All4Christ]

I struggled with this when I was young. I was part of a Pentecostal church, and we had church camps where everyone would go to the altar speaking in tongues. Anyone who didn’t already speak in tongues was “invited” ie “told / expected” to come up for people to pray over them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues. For a really long time - I cannot remember how long, but it seemed like eternity - they prayed and prayed and I just couldn't speak in tongues. I was told to have faith and if I have faith I will be granted the Holy Spirit and the tongues that testify to that infilling. As a child, I was very upset and wanted to stop. I also felt very ashamed that I was not good enough and did not have enough faith to receive the Holy Spirit. I eventually faked the speaking of tongues to just get away from the altar. For years I felt guilty of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. I eventually got past it, as I grew to think for myself, but it was heavy on my heart for years of my life.

It is still traumatic to me today, despite my beliefs drastically changing. I don’t mean that everyone who is Pentecostal does this, but it is what I think of first when someone mentions speaking in tongues.

As far as Orthodox beliefs go though, the others are 100% right.

 

[BNR32FAN]

I struggled with this when I was young. I was part of a Pentecostal church, and we had church camps where everyone would go to the altar speaking in tongues. Anyone who didn’t already speak in tongues was “invited” ie “told / expected” to come up for people to pray over them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues. For a really long time - I cannot remember how long, but it seemed like eternity - they prayed and prayed and I just couldn't speak in tongues. I was told to have faith and if I have faith I will be granted the Holy Spirit and the tongues that testify to that infilling. As a child, I was very upset and wanted to stop. I also felt very ashamed that I was not good enough and did not have enough faith to receive the Holy Spirit. I eventually faked the speaking of tongues to just get away from the altar. For years I felt guilty of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. I eventually got past it, as I grew to think for myself, but it was heavy on my heart for years of my life.

It is still traumatic to me today, despite my beliefs drastically changing. I don’t mean that everyone who is Pentecostal does this, but it is what I think of first when someone mentions speaking in tongues.

As far as Orthodox beliefs go though, the others are 100% right.

Yeah I mean Paul made it absolutely clear that not everyone receives the gift of tongues so I don’t know why they would preach such a thing. When I was a child, about 8 or 9 years old we attended a Pentecostal church that was near our home and it was such a strange and scary experience that we never went back. People were running around the church shaking and flailing their arms around, babbling like a bunch of crazy people and one guy punched a hole in the wall. We just sat there in the pew until it was over because we were actually to scared to get up & leave and we never went back. To this day I still don’t get the impression that the Spirit was present in that place. To me it seemed very cultish. I’m not saying that all Pentecostal churches are this way, just explaining what I observed in that particular church. I’m sure that it’s because of that experience that I’m very skeptical when people say they have the gift because that experience automatically comes to mind.

 

[Uriah S]

... Anyone who didn’t already speak in tongues was “invited” ie “told / expected” to come up for people to pray over them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues. ...

Not as traumatic but I had similar in a prayer meeting. The focus suddenly shifted onto me, and I was asked if I would like to receive a gift of the Spirit.
I remember being kind of annoyed that it was assumed I hadn't received it already, just because I wasn't going "goo-goo ga-ga" with these people.
I remain sceptical about what passes as tongues 99% of the time.

 

[Lukaris]

I started converting to Orthodoxy in 2004 and was chrismated ( confirmed) on Holy Saturday ( between Good Friday & Pascha ( “Easter”) in 2005.

Prior to that I attended a 4 Square Gospel Pentecostal Church. I have to say the pastor was the most contemplative Pentecostal preacher I ever saw. On Saturday evenings I would attend his prayer sessions and his format was basically silent (!) individual prayer although one could pray audibly to a whisper. He didn’t care if you were free form, used the psalms, even prayer books ( Orthodox, Protestant, Catholic as long as Trinitarian).

The pastor himself would just repeat, “ Lord Jesus Christ” over and over in a soft whisper as he prayed. When I later became Orthodox, I learned of the Jesus Prayer tradition and later wondered if Pastor Rich knew of this. Their Sunday worship was standard Pentecostal, Evangelical long sermon ( basically well done), praise music, the pastor encouraged charismatic behavior & it was evident but he encouraged and never pressured or cajoled individuals. I was not required to speak in a tongue if I was confirmed in his congregation.

 

[All4Christ]

There were many, many good, faithful and dedicated people at the Pentecostal church I attended as a child. While I am unable in good conscience to attend and though I strongly disagree with some doctrines, I always will have some appreciation for what I was taught there with my parents and grandmother. I was taught to follow and love God with all my heart, read scripture regularly, trust that Scriptures are true, continually pursue sanctification (which parallels nicely with theosis when looking at the Wesleyan tradition) and to put God and church ahead of other things. My parents took me to every Wednesday, Sunday morning and Sunday night services. We always were in all the church events and had that as a priority.

My experience with the speaking in tongues being pressured on me was in the Church camp - I’m thankful that it didn’t happen directly in my church.

(Just sharing to balance my previous comments. I am grateful for the faith instilled in me by my parents. As my priest said in the sermon after my chrismation - Orthodoxy isn’t me turning away from what I my faith as a child and young adult, but rather a fulfillment of what I was looking for.)

 

[RileyG]

yes, but it’s rare. I know one who did.

Is it similar to how the Pentecostals and Charismatics speak in tongues?

 

[prodromos]

In one case with Saint Porphyrios, he was speaking to a French girl in Greek and she was responding in French. Both heard the other speaking in their own language.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Is it similar to how the Pentecostals and Charismatics speak in tongues?

no, it’s more how the Apostles in Acts speak in tongues.

 

[RileyG]

no, it’s more how the Apostles in Acts speak in tongues.

Ah, I see.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Ah, I see.

ja. there is no evidence that tongues was random gibberish that people would bust out during a service.

 

[petergreenwell]

I’m just curious if anyone has an information on speaking in tongues in the EOC recently? Are there any EOC members who currently or recently practice this gift?

 

[petergreenwell]

Hey there is a compression in the bible called The Rainbow. It's what the Gnostics discovered. Jesus said, "I will reveal things in my parables that have been hidden since the foundations of the world. There were 10 virgins, some were wise and had their own oil....
oil=wisdom
wine=makes you feel good

it's also called true Hebrew--that's what the Gnostics called it. So you can speak 2 languages at the same time. What am I saying here?
Never mix Oil and Wine?

For those who have ears

 

[prodromos]

Hey there is a compression in the bible called The Rainbow. It's what the Gnostics discovered. Jesus said, "I will reveal things in my parables that have been hidden since the foundations of the world. There were 10 virgins, some were wise and had their own oil....
oil=wisdom
wine=makes you feel good

it's also called true Hebrew--that's what the Gnostics called it. So you can speak 2 languages at the same time. What am I saying here?
Never mix Oil and Wine?

For those who have ears

Luke 10:33-34
But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

 

[petergreenwell]

Yup, here's another one: Revelation 6:6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
By the way, the translation for my phrase above is: Never mix what wisdom with what makes you feel good

 

[ArmyMatt]

Hey there is a compression in the bible called The Rainbow. It's what the Gnostics discovered. Jesus said, "I will reveal things in my parables that have been hidden since the foundations of the world. There were 10 virgins, some were wise and had their own oil....
oil=wisdom
wine=makes you feel good

it's also called true Hebrew--that's what the Gnostics called it. So you can speak 2 languages at the same time. What am I saying here?
Never mix Oil and Wine?

For those who have ears

Yup, here's another one: Revelation 6:6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
By the way, the translation for my phrase above is: Never mix what wisdom with what makes you feel good

sorry, but I don’t follow what this stuff has to do with this thread. could you clarify?