Orthodox Talks

Christ left us a most fearful warning: “False Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.” In our own times we see even pious Orthodox Christians become confused and deluded by phenomena which appear to be Orthodox. Prophesies, clairvoyance, visions, healings, exorcisms, dreams, and mysterious fragrances are just a few of the phenomena that the pious must test, as Saint John the Evangelist writes, “to see whether they are from God.” Many are even confused about entirely un-Orthodox phenomena: psychics, UFOs, speaking in tongues, ghosts, visions, communication with the dead, astrology, reincarnation, levitation, and so on.In this talk Father Kosmas explains that without true Orthodox teaching and spirituality it is impossible to detect and avoid these deceptions, many of which are extremely subtle, and all of which have as their aim our separation from God. He especially shows that failing to understand St Paul’s words, “They have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge” (Rom 10:2), is the main reason why many zealous Orthodox Christians fall into deception.The following questions are also discussed: should we be proud of belonging to the true faith? Why is a lukewarm Orthodox Christian worse than an unbeliever? What was the tragic end of two laymen who gave Orthodox talks? How does one go from monastic novice to drug dealer? Are there monastics who are mediums? What are the signs of a deceived person? What is the difference between self-deception and diabolical deception? Why are there fewer miracles in the Orthodox Church now than in the past?Other points covered in this talk include: religions that were established as a result of visions; apparitions of “Mary” to children in Roman Catholicism; the visions and stigmata of Francis of Assisi; a deceived young man’s preparations for the coming of the antichrist; a young woman’s experience with a deceived abbess; accounts of Saints Isaac and Nicetas of the Kiev Caves; and a “clairvoyant” octopus.Duration: 3hrs 17minsVisit our website: www.OrthodoxTalks.com

We live in a time where demonic delusion is at its peak. These delusions come in the form of thoughts, feelings, dreams and visions. The Holy Apostles and Fathers of the Orthodox Church provide insight into these delusions. Saint Paul in particular warns against the “angel of light,” referring not only to false visions of angels, but to anything the demons present as good or spiritual.Using examples from the lives of saints, Father Kosmas explains how the saints exposed the tricks that the devil and his demons use to delude not only monastics, but all Orthodox Christians, and how those deluded are the self-confident, the vainglorious and the proud. He also points out that it is not enough merely to read the lives of the saints and the teachings of the Holy Fathers: it is absolutely necessary that we acquire discernment by living those teachings.The following questions are also discussed: do parish priests deserve criticism for avoiding the topic of demonic deception? What happened to an archimandrite who denied the existence of demons? Why was Rasputin viewed by some as a man of God, but by others as a deceiver? Does involvement in the occult leave a person scarred and vulnerable to the demons even after repentance? What is meant by a balanced spiritual diet? Why do the evil spirits continually suggest negative thoughts about one’s spiritual father? Why is it essential to find a spiritual father who not only hears confessions but also continually prays for his spiritual children?Other points covered in this talk include: the recent example of a deceived ascetic who saw visions and dreams; how the demons use our imagination to delude us; a man who supposedly healed the possessed with the Koran; an elder’s fierce struggle to free a deceived deacon from a false angel of light, who would continually speak and pray with him; an account of a possessed young girl who later became a nun without being healed; how some become proud of being attacked by evil spirits; and an account of an Athonite priestmonk who as a worldly young man became involved in magic.Visit our website: www.OrthodoxTalks.com

People often say that Orthodox Christians should focus on loving Christ and their neighbors, and not bother thinking about the demons. These same people criticise those who instruct the faithful concerning demonic warfare. When Elder Paisios of Mount Athos was writing the life of Elder Arsenios the Cappadocian, he was advised to omit all references to demonic possession in order to appeal to European readers, many of whom do not even believe the devil exists.In this talk Father Kosmas explains that Orthodox Christians are called spiritual athletes, spiritual warriors, and soldiers of Christ precisely because they do battle not only with their own passions, but also with the demons. He emphasises that a Christian must know his enemy in order to defeat him and attain salvation, and points out that revealing one’s thoughts to a spiritual father is one of the best defences against the demons.The following questions are also discussed: is revelation of thoughts to a spiritual father only for monastics? How should one look for a good spiritual father? Why can it be dangerous to watch an exorcism? Are Christians allowed to believe some dreams? Can pride produce spiritual zeal? Why did one priest say that he prefers passionate spiritual children? What can happen when a person ignores his conscience? How does a proud person relate to the demons? Are there substitutes for exorcisms? Can the demons help one to fight heresy? What is meant by “experiential humility”? Is it the goal of spiritual struggle to attain divine gifts?Other points covered in this talk include: the perils of trusting oneself more than one’s spiritual father; a monk’s experience of hearing a voice at his door; how a priest wanted to learn his future from a demon; how the church services and prayers produce humble-mindedness; the difference between Roman Catholic and Orthodox exorcisms; black magic in Africa; the importance of opening up to one’s spiritual father; the spiritual warfare one undergoes before confession; and one Orthodox “zealot’s” horrible attitude towards women.Duration: 3hrs 4minsVisit our website: www.OrthodoxTalks.com

In the writings of the Holy Fathers we often find statements such as this: “One must consider oneself the worst person of all”; “Self-esteem is a sin”; “One must only look at one’s failures, never at one’s virtues”; “The proud cannot be saved”; “Always consider yourself a sinner”; and “There is nothing good in us.” Many find these types of statements upsetting, and come to the conclusion that Christianity causes guilt, depression and despair.In this talk Father Kosmas explains that these things are caused not by Christianity, but by an incorrect and distorted approach to Christ’s holy teachings. Furthermore, he emphasises that our sins, weaknesses, passions and failures can be used to acquire self-knowledge, repentance, humility, faith, trust in God, grace, peace, spiritual joy and, ultimately, the salvation of our souls.The following questions are also discussed: is constant fear of deception spiritually healthy? What is meant by “our passions are our spiritual friends”? Is medication the only solution for unwanted thoughts? Is a certain degree of self-esteem acceptable? How is spiritual correctness dangerous? Are Orthodox zealots and the ecumenists actually of the same spirit? What are spiritual freaks? How was the apostle Peter’s betrayal of Christ different from that of Judas? What did Elder Porphyrios say about people trapped in the sickness of guilt? What are the different causes of depression?Other points covered in this talk include: how an inferiority complex is a spiritual illness and should not to be confused with humility; how the demons can help us teach the truth to others for the purpose of deceiving us later; the untrue teaching of some Catholic theologians that Judas repented; how distorted spiritual struggle can lead to heresy and blasphemy; how the passions cause spiritual blindness; how self-esteem drives away the spirit of God; the difference between weaklings and the spiritually weak; the true root of despondency; and an account of an Orthodox priest who believed that Francis of Assisi, a Roman Catholic saint, is also an Orthodox saint.Duration: 2hrs 52minsVisit our website: www.OrthodoxTalks.com

This is a continuation of Talk 29. There is much confusion among Orthodox Christians regarding many aspects of the Church’s teachings on life after death. One important example is the difference between Hades and Hell. While many think them identical, the difference is actually so important that it can cause many not to prepare properly for their own deaths, and to neglect the departed souls who are in urgent need of help for their release.In this talk Father Kosmas discusses the purpose of serving memorial services and liturgies for our departed loved ones. He explains what is meant by the prayer, “With the saints give rest, O Lord, to the soul of Thy departed servant.” Furthermore, he emphasises that our personal sins and our spiritual life affect the souls of our departed loved ones, and that it is very important to fix our own souls before attempting to help them.The following questions are also discussed: is it healthy for an Orthodox Christian to think about Hell? Can a priest refuse to commemorate a departed Orthodox Christian? What will happen at the Last Judgement? Why can only some souls be forgiven in the next life? Why does one elder state that Christians must be merciful in order to receive help in the next life? Why do the demons rejoice when Christians are superstitious regarding the dead? Why is it dangerous to draw conclusions about the manner of a person’s death? How can souls be receptive so as to be able to receive help?Other points covered in this talk include: how a holy elder prayed for the soul of his unrepentant departed cousin; how a father blasphemed because his daughter had died; the “good obsession” of an elder who prayed for the release of all the souls that are in Hades; how the saints would constantly ask God whether they would be saved; how people who have died without producing fruits of repentance are in need of help; how even some clergy find the Church’s teaching on Hades hard to accept; and why one priest continually forgot to commemorate the souls of certain relatives.Talk 30 duration: 3hrs 15minsChanting duration: 7mins (Hymns for the Reposed)Total duration: 3hrs 22minsVisit our website: www.OrthodoxTalks.com

In the writings of the Holy Fathers we often read statements such as these: “Our sins will prevent us from seeing God,” “Only those who have been purified before death can be saved,” and, “After death, even forgotten sins will be used by the demons to obstruct a soul’s passage to Heaven.” Many who read these types of statements fall into despair, thinking that salvation is impossible. The fact is, most people are neither complete sinners nor complete saints when they die. This raises the question: what happens to the souls of these people?In this talk Father Kosmas uses the writings of the holy fathers and the Orthodox funeral service to explain what happens to the souls of those who die with minor unconfessed sins, or who have not brought forth fruits of repentance for sins confessed. He emphasises that there is much hope for the salvation of those who have died without having attained spiritual perfection. Knowing the Church’s teaching on this topic not only can help those who have already departed this life, but can also help us to better prepare for our own departure.The following questions are also discussed: why are people reluctant to give money to the poor on behalf of the departed? When is it appropriate to weep for our departed loved ones? Is there a place called purgatory, as the Roman Catholic Church teaches, where souls suffer in order to be cleansed of their sins? Are the Protestants correct when they say that, since there is no repentance after death, praying for the dead is useless? Why did one saint appear to a priest, asking him to commemorate his departed parents? What is the Orthodox teaching on praying for those who have committed suicide?Other points covered in this talk include: a wonderful account of how the dead appeared in order to defend a sinful priest; how zeal in praying for the dead is a sign of spiritual progress; how to prepare for one’s own departure from this life; how Elder Cleopa of Romania gives hope for Orthodox Christians who have departed this life without proper preparation; and the reason why many departed souls hope that one of their relatives will become a priest or a monastic.Talk 29 duration: 3hrs 9minsChanting duration: 7mins (Hymns for the Reposed)Total duration: 3hrs 16minsVisit our website: www.OrthodoxTalks.com

Without a doubt, even among Orthodox Christians there is considerable ignorance today regarding the soul after death. When someone close to us departs this life, those left behind are often at a loss as to how to help their departed loved one. Some ascribe the greatest importance to flowers, poems and speeches, beautiful funerals and graves. Others try to communicate with their departed loved ones to find out how they are or to seek some help from them. But few actually know how to help the dead.In this talk Father Kosmas uses the teachings of the Orthodox Church to present the truth about the soul after death. He explains that departed souls greatly desire spiritual help from the Church and from their loved ones, and he outlines ways of providing this help, which are able to deliver the departed from a place of suffering to a place of eternal blessedness.The following questions are also discussed: how do the prayers before and after the soul’s departure help a person? Is it a myth that demons and angels fight each other for a newly-departed soul? Can Orthodox elders or eldresses know the condition of a departed soul? Why is it better for some to die than to continue living in this world? How do mediums reveal personal information about the departed and those present in the audience? Can departed souls communicate with the living? What trials do Christians face at the time of their death? How does one become receptive to prayers offered after one’s death?Other points covered in this talk include: the importance of performing good deeds on behalf of those who have departed this life; how private prayers help the soul of a departed loved one; examples of souls that have appeared to the living; how a monk prayed for the suffering soul of his mother who had lived as a prostitute; why psychics such as John Edward never mention the existence of Hell, suffering, and the demons; how commemoration of the dead at the Divine Liturgy is the highest form of help; and the importance of arranging for our own commemoration and almsgiving before our death.Talk 28 duration: 3hrs 6minsChanting duration: 7mins (Hymns for the Reposed)Total duration: 3hrs 13minsVisit our website: www.OrthodoxTalks.com

A great many Orthodox Christians who fast, confess, commune, attend the church services, and perform various ascetic labors complain of a feeling of spiritual coldness and deadness. They are surprised, thinking that doing all this ought to help them in acquiring the grace of God. Common characteristics of such people include self-satisfaction, vainglory, self-trust, self-will, being judgmental, and a lack of both repentance and self-knowledge.In this talk, Father Kosmas uses the teachings of Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov to explain the reason for coldness and deadness in the spiritual life and how to overcome this. He explains that true spiritual life requires not just the fulfilment of external requirements, but practising the teachings of the Gospel, recognizing our own sinfulness, and cultivating a sense of repentance.The following questions are also discussed: why do we find it difficult to repent? How are the passions spiritually beneficial? Is prayer worthless without repentance? Why do the Jehovah’s Witnesses and other sectarians seem so peaceful and calm? Can joy in the spiritual life be demonic? How can we see God? What is the difference between children of God and children of the devil? What did the saints regard as greater than miracle-working and good works? Can God still give us what we ask even when He knows it is not good for us?Other points covered in this talk include: the logical reason for the Western Church’s doubt or denial of wonders and miracles in the lives of the ancient saints; rampant pharisaism in the Orthodox Church today; the tragedy of not reading the Holy Bible on a daily basis; how not noticing one’s vainglory is equal to having no inner spiritual life; the repulsiveness of a self-opinionated person; the difference between the holy water of the Orthodox Church and that of the Roman Catholic Church; and how not wanting to sin can be a deception.Duration: 3hrs 4minsVisit our website: www.OrthodoxTalks.com

Some traditional Orthodox theologians believe that the spirituality of many Orthodox Christians has become quite similar to Western spirituality. These Orthodox Christians share the distorted Protestant view of repentance as merely accepting Christ and feeling some regret for past sins, and the Roman Catholic over-emphasis on partaking of the Sacraments and obedience to the bishop. This movement within Orthodoxy to westernize the Church is not a new one. Its supporters (including hierarchs, clergy and theologians) undervalue the role of asceticism in the lives of all Orthodox Christians.In this talk, using the teachings of the Orthodox Church, Father Kosmas explains that partaking of the sacraments without spiritual struggle is a heresy similar to that against which Saint Gregory Palamas fought in his day. He emphasises that God indeed freely gives His grace through the sacraments, but man’s cooperation (through personal ascetic struggle) is absolutely necessary for the healing and salvation of the soul.The following questions are also discussed: what are some of the reasons people believe in God? Do Orthodox Christians differ much from religious people of other confessions? How should we regard scandals in the Church? What is the difference between pietism and piety? Should we avoid external practices so that people will not think us Pharisees? How do we deal with ecumenist bishops? Why have some people improved spiritually upon ceasing to partake of Holy Communion?Other points covered in this talk include: religious brain-washing; how believers can become unbelievers when something “better” comes along; what happened to a woman when exorcism prayers were stopped; the danger of meeting our ego face to face; the difference between regret and repentance; a young man’s delusion in leaving home so as to struggle better spiritually; and why at times asking for self-knowledge can be extremely dangerous.Duration: 3hrs 13minsVisit our website: www.OrthodoxTalks.com

This talk is a continuation of Talk 24: "Elders vs. Religious Intellectuals: Whom to Follow?" Asceticism is the most important aspect of Orthodox spirituality, for it is the path by which one acquires the grace of God. But the holy elders of our times teach that today there is a lack, and even an absence, of asceticism in the Church. Without asceticism, Christians tend to ignore the heart and the conscience, and instead use logic and reason in spiritual matters. The question then arises: what is true asceticism?In this talk, Father Kosmas explains that true asceticism is the struggle to keep the commandments of Christ, not simply following various external rules and abstaining from certain foods. He goes on to list many aspects of everyday life that can be considered ascetical and are therefore spiritually beneficial. By struggling to keep the commandments, one can acquire grace and thereby avoid the pitfall of using logic and reason in spiritual matters. For as we read in Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit only abides in those who keep Christ’s commandments.The following questions are also discussed: why did Elder Paisios call those clerics sick who used psychology to help souls? What should be our attitude towards atheists? Why are Christians who complain about the evil in the world called “saltless”? How does God humble the proud? Should we condemn drug addicts, prostitutes, fornicators, homosexuals, alcoholics, etc.? Why are priests increasingly referring their spiritual children to psychologists? How should we view abuse of men by women?Other points covered in this talk include: an “illogical” explanation for the death of infants and children; how studies in academic theology can produce unbelievers; how mental illness can be viewed as a spiritual struggle and even martyrdom; how spiritual progress comes when we stop focusing on our personal problems; and the wonderful example of a woman who endured abuse from her husband.Duration: 3hrsVisit our website: www.OrthodoxTalks.com