Orthodox Talks

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. Although most people do not think about their salvation, it comes as a surprise when we encounter this in active participants in church life. The question arises: why does this occur?In this talk, Father Kosmas examines the danger of falling into an incorrect attitude toward the spiritual life. He explains how incorrect zeal in matters of faith, prayer, spiritual struggle, observing church rules and practices, converting others, etc., can be detrimental not only to our own spiritual lives, but also to those with whom we come into contact.The following questions are also discussed: why is there so little apparent difference between Orthodox and non-Orthodox today? Why is spiritual activity so difficult in our times? Can today’s Christians pray without ceasing? Is it wrong to be in love with a non-Christian? What are the signs of true love? Is it right to force someone to repent? How serious is adultery? Who is a true theologian? Do anathemas apply to those outside the Church? Do saints make mistakes, and even fall into pride? Who told Saint Anthony to mind his own business? Is compromising on spiritual matters ever permissible?Other points covered in this talk include: the dangerous effects of worldly distractions; the three main challenges facing Orthodox Christians; the benefit of close contact with monasteries; the devil’s attitude toward those who seek salvation; how preoccupation with the church canons can be dangerous; converting others through prayer; the proper understanding of the church canons; humility as an antidote to pride; how church teaching is not always black and white; how Rasputin’s example can be a warning to those returning to the Church with fervent repentance; fanaticism in the Church; and prophecies regarding Christians and the last times.Duration: 2hrs 49minsVisit our website: www.OrthodoxTalks.com

Marriage is extremely difficult. Few people in our time prepare themselves adequately for the challenges of marriage – and the result is frequently disastrous. A successful marriage requires not only spiritual preparation (as many in the Church mistakenly believe) but also practical life skills. These skills include the ability to perform domestic duties, to deal with financial responsibilities, to form lasting and healthy relationships, to communicate effectively, and to be good parents.In this talk, Father Kosmas explains that both spirituality and practical life skills need to be developed over the years while one is still single, not right before marriage or even after marriage. While many mistakenly consider the single life a time for fun and freedom, viewing married life as restrictive and oppressive, Father Kosmas emphasises that the single life is actually a valuable opportunity to develop the skills and the maturity necessary for a joyful marriage.The following questions are also discussed: is it sexist to say that the man is the head of the woman? Should others be involved in choosing a spouse? What is meant by ‘pagan Christians’? Why are many children becoming shipwrecked in life? Does God want there to be inequality in the world? Why is it sometimes better to stay single than to marry? What did Saint John Chrysostom mean by saying that parents can become murderers of their children’s souls?Other points covered in this talk include: looking for love through drugs; seeking signs from heaven; worldly beauty versus spiritual beauty; premarital emotional and mental problems; irresponsible single life; obsession with finding a spouse; dating and courtship; how seeing others as sex objects can affect one’s future marriage; sexual intimacy before marriage; cold feet before the wedding; sexual passions in single and married life; how music, television and the internet affect one’s spiritual life; and women, family and work.Duration: 2hrs 34minsVisit our website: www.OrthodoxTalks.com

Marriages today are often troubled by many problems: divorce, adultery, domestic violence, pornography, addictions, and mental illness, to name a few. This can happen for many reasons, but one of the most common is a failure to make good decisions in choosing whom to marry. Internet match-making and dating sites and chat rooms, pre-marital sexual relationships, and other modern approaches to meeting and choosing a spouse only serve to make the problem worse.In this talk, Father Kosmas discusses what one should look for in a spouse. He emphasises that the criteria used in choosing a spouse should also be applied to oneself. Some of the criteria discussed in detail include emotional maturity, financial responsibility, life skills, relationships with family and friends, spirituality, communication skills, personality, and one’s stance on contemporary social issues. Warning signs to look out for include possessiveness, perfectionism, fault-finding, depression and other mental problems, and religious fanaticism.The following questions are also discussed: is there such a thing as love at first sight? Can dating negatively affect one’s future marriage? Is there such a thing as a soul mate? What does sex without commitment really mean? Should love exist before marriage? Can emotions and physical attraction be dangerous when choosing a spouse? Is “compatibility” necessary for marriage? Should some people remain single? Is it important to seek God’s will when choosing a spouse? Is marrying at an early age appropriate?Other points covered in this talk include: the stress of dating and intimate relationships; pornography and its effects on one’s marriage; difficulty “socialising” without drugs or alcohol; unhealthy emotional relationships; the importance of preparing for marriage while still single; how an inferiority complex can influence one’s choice of a spouse; the danger of marrying someone who is having difficulty deciding between marriage and monasticism; and how mental or physical illness can affect a marriage.Duration: 2hrs 35minsVisit our website: www.OrthodoxTalks.com

Orthodox Christians hold various views regarding the main purpose of marriage. Some believe it is companionship, while others believe it is to have children. What, then, does the Orthodox Church teach regarding the main purpose of marriage? The answer to this question will influence a person’s decision whether or not to marry.In this talk, Father Kosmas explains that the main purpose of marriage, according to Saint Paul, is to avoid sexual immorality, child-bearing being its secondary purpose. Although the Church praises virginity more highly than marriage, abstaining from sexual relations in today’s society is becoming increasingly difficult, due to constant exposure to sexual immorality through television, films, the media, billboards, and the internet. For this reason Saint Paul’s words are especially relevant today: … but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion (1 Corinthians 7:9).The following questions are also discussed: does the Church regard sex as dirty and sinful? Is abstaining from marriage and sexual relations abnormal? Is it wrong to desire monasticism because of an aversion to married life? How does the Church condemn negative attitudes toward sexual relations? Why is the Church so cautious with regard to married couples abstaining from sexual relations?Other points covered in this talk include: the danger of married people reading more books on monasticism than on married life; Saint John Chrysostom’s outspokenness regarding sexual relations; the media’s distortion of marriage and sexuality; how children are being confused and perverted by misinformation on sexuality; and how the Roman Catholic Church’s rules on unmarried clergy is contrary to the Holy Fathers.Duration: 2hrsVisit our website: www.OrthodoxTalks.com

Saint Xenia the Fool-for-Christ is one of the best-known Russian saints. Because of her many miracles, her popularity has spread throughout the Orthodox world, in Greece, America, Serbia, Canada, Australia, Romania, and beyond. She 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. However, even more than for her many miracles, this great saint is especially to be venerated for her holy and marvellous life.In this talk, Father Kosmas relates the life of Saint Xenia in some detail. Saint Xenia was happily married to an army colonel. Then, while attending a party, her husband suddenly died in a drunken state. This event shook Xenia, and because her beloved husband had died without confession and Holy Communion she became concerned for his soul. She went on to dedicate the remaining time of her life to struggling for the salvation of his soul by means of prayer and almsgiving, becoming for us a shining example of selfless love for one’s spouse even after death.The following questions are also discussed: how should one find a spouse? Can women work while raising children? When are parents considered murderers of their children’s souls? What is the highest form of love? Is there an aversion today to raising children? What are the two types of unrepentant Christians? How do we pray for the departed non-Orthodox?Other points covered in this talk include: how selfishness is one of the main diseases in marriages today; the beauty of loving one’s spouse; love beyond the grave; how good can come from catastrophes; emotional funerals; the miracle of God’s providence in our lives; some examples of Saint Xenia’s clairvoyance; and how the devil especially attacks those who serve in the Church.Talk 10 duration: 2hrs 4minsChanting duration: 30mins (Canon to Saint Xenia)Total duration: 2hrs 34minsVisit our website: www.OrthodoxTalks.com

Sexual immorality has been a problem for thousands of years, which is why God, in both the Old and New Testaments, has clearly set forth His commandments on sexual relations. Despite this, through weakness and ignorance many Orthodox Christians easily fall into sexual sins, causing much damage to their souls. Knowing this, the Holy Orthodox Church has also shown us through the lives and writings of the saints how to defend and struggle against sexual passion. This applies not only to monastics and those who are single, but also to married people facing the temptations of adultery and unnatural sins.In this talk, Father Kosmas refers to the life of Saint Justina (October 2), pointing out that despite her active spiritual life she was attacked by fierce sexual desire for a non-Christian man in whom she was not even initially interested. Father Kosmas discusses how to struggle against sexual passion and how sexual immorality has affected society. Although this talk is not a history of the sexual revolution it addresses many of this revolution’s effects on society and the Church.The following questions are also discussed: should homosexuality be regarded as the worst possible sin? Can sorcery forcibly cause sexual attraction? “The kingdom of heaven suffers violence”—what does this Gospel passage really mean? Is consulting a magician actually a denial of Christ? Can magic affect a struggling Orthodox Christian who confesses and communes often? Do sexual temptations sometimes intensify when one struggles against them? Can there be forgiveness of sins without confession?Other points covered in this talk include: how many people are turning to psychics to find love; how parents mistakenly value education above their children’s purity; childhood trauma and its effects in adulthood; the early sexualization of children; how children are being brainwashed in the schools and by the media; how television distorts our thinking, often causing relationship problems later in life; and how parents need to protect their children from sexual immorality.Duration: 1hr 46minsVisit our website: www.OrthodoxTalks.com

In the last few decades, much has been said about the effects of emotional, sexual, and physical abuse, particularly on children. What is often overlooked is that not all forms of abuse are so obvious. Many parenting practices that the world sees as perfectly normal and even beneficial are very harmful spiritually. By engaging in these practices through ignorance or slackness, many Orthodox Christians become guilty of spiritually abusing their own children.In this talk, Father Kosmas examines a number of common practices that in reality are spiritually abusive. He brings to light that many problems experienced by adults stem from the spiritual abuse they suffered as children, and he describes how many spiritually abused people either never come to the Church or, if they do, find even basic spiritual life very difficult.The following questions are also discussed: can the devil heal? Are all sins forgivable? Is demonic possession always bad? Are God’s judgements always fair? How does the devil make false promises? What is the “can’t feel” syndrome? Why are jails and hospitals full? How does the devil present himself as our friend? How does monasticism have a positive effect on society? Can God’s chastisement be an act of love? Is it foolish for parents to be preoccupied with their children’s intelligence and academic success?Other points covered in this talk include: how social and emotional problems in children can stem from spiritual abuse; the harm caused by early education of infants and toddlers; encouragement of fantasy in children; exposure of infants and toddlers to television; promotion of interest in the occult in young children and teenagers; the Antichrist and miracles; society’s disdain for childbearing and the upbringing of children; bringing up children using various psychological theories; and how Christians can mistakenly emphasize secular education over moral education.Duration: 2hrs 2minsVisit our website: www.OrthodoxTalks.com

In recent years we have seen a rising interest and even an obsession with the occult, including "communicating" with the dead, magic, and demonology, to name just a few. This is evident in movies, TV programs, documentaries, books, magazines, and the internet. In addition, there are plenty of sorcerers and mediums who are all too willing to “help” people for a fee.In this talk, Father Kosmas uses the lives of Saints Cyprian and Justina and contemporary examples to explain how sorcery and other occult practices are both real and spiritually harmful. He reveals that the main reason Orthodox Christians involve themselves in the occult is ignorance of the Church’s teachings on the subject. The Church clearly exposes the demons and their evil schemes, yet many clergy fail to teach Christians regarding occult practices, and instead either remain quiet, or deny their existence, or provide misinformation. Some even ridicule people who believe they exist.The following questions are also discussed: is there such a thing as the "evil eye"? Is it really such a problem to visit a sorcerer or medium out of curiosity? Why do some people claim to have been helped by sorcerers? Why can it be dangerous to have exorcism prayers read over someone who is not possessed, but under demonic influence? Is it safe for a layperson, rather than a priest, to read prayers against magic and the evil eye?Other points covered in this talk include: the serious consequences of going to a sorcerer; how people pay thousands of dollars to sorcerers for "protection" from black magic; the difference between possession and mental illness; how observing an exorcism can be very dangerous; the symptoms of sorcery; the difference between black magic and white magic; and real sorcerers versus fake ones.Duration: 1hr 43minsVisit our website: www.OrthodoxTalks.com

We live in a time when information is readily available through television, the radio, various publications, and the Internet. The world boasts about acquiring knowledge with expressions such as: ‘knowledge is power’, ‘excel with knowledge’, and ‘knowledge equals success’. Amid this information overload, there would seem to be no excuse for ignorance of any type. Yet many people are ignorant of spiritual topics such as Christ’s Person, His commandments, the Holy Bible, angels and saints, what happens after death, the devil’s warfare, miracles and prophesies, dreams and visions, mediums and sorcery, sin, and even the soul’s salvation as our goal in life.In this talk, Father Kosmas outlines the reason for spiritual ignorance and the solution. He explains that even though many of the clergy are partly responsible for failing to educate their flocks, Orthodox Christians are responsible for seeking out the truth. The availability of the Holy Bible, the lives of the saints, the writings of the Holy Fathers and the divine services leaves us with no excuse.The following questions are also discussed: can the dead appear and communicate with the living? What does the Church say about horoscopes? Are there Orthodox who believe the heresy regarding the devil’s salvation? How can God be both Love and Judge? Are fantasy and schizophrenia related? What is the danger of separating one’s spiritual life from one’s daily life?Other points covered in this talk include: an explanation of mind-reading; psychics and fortune tellers; the danger of witnessing an exorcism; an explanation of the term ‘lunatic’; mediums; science fiction; an account of a man whose house was haunted; the danger of looking for miracles and prophesies; and the centuries-old error of pronouncing various individuals the antichrist.Duration: 1hr 36minsVisit our website: www.OrthodoxTalks.com

Saint Paul says that anyone who wants to live the life in Christ will be persecuted. Are there Orthodox Christians today enduring persecution for Christ’s sake? Is it necessary for those in the West to prepare for persecutions? Orthodox Christians are confused about when to speak up, when to confess the Faith and, in general, what their attitude towards the heterodox and the non-Christian world should be. In particular, what should our attitude be towards those who wish us harm or want to convert us to their faith?In this talk, Father Kosmas uses a number of examples from the lives of the saints to show how Orthodox Christians lived in non-Orthodox areas, with pagans, Muslims and Christians of other faiths and how they dealt with hostility towards Orthodoxy. He also explains why some openly confessed their faith while others kept their faith secret. He explains that, even though Orthodox Christians of the West are not subject to open persecution, they have many subtle opportunities to either confess or deny Christ in their everyday lives.The following questions are also discussed: are we called to express our faith in every circumstance? Does sometimes hiding one’s belief mean betraying Christ? Are contemporary Orthodox Christians actually denying Christ from fear of mockery? Can the upbringing of children be considered martyrdom? Why is there so much confusion surrounding sexual sins?Other points covered in this talk include: spiritual ignorance; external Christianity; spiritual pride; deceptive piety; the dangers of quoting the Holy Canons; how God sees our efforts versus our achievements; the difference between homophobia and sin-ophobia; and how to deal with lukewarm Christians.Duration: 1hr 58minsVisit our website: www.OrthodoxTalks.com