Talk 26: Holy Communion Without Spiritual Struggle: A Heresy in Our Times
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. God indeed 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. In this talk, Father Kosmas attempts to explain that partaking of the sacraments without spiritual struggle is a heresy similar to that which Saint Gregory Palamas fought against in his day.
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 ignore external practices so as not to be likened to the Pharisees? How do we deal with Ecumenist bishops? Why have some people spiritually improved when they ceased to partake of Holy Communion?
Other topics covered in this talk include: religious brain-washing; how asking prayers of a priest can sometimes be un-Orthodox; 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 woman’s refusal to make three prostrations; a young man’s delusion in leaving home so as to better struggle spiritually; why asking for self-knowledge at times can be extremely dangerous; and how a young man personally experienced the effect of a holy man’s prayers.
Talk Duration: 205 minutes
Chanting Duration: 18 minutes
3 CD set