What does theOrthodox Church actually teach about salvation, judgment, theosis, repentance,and what God wants from humanity?

In this in‑depth interview, Father Thomas Soroka(Ancient Faith podcaster and priest of St Nicholas Orthodox Church, Pittsburgh)gives one of the clearest explanations available online.

We explore:

• Theosis — “Godbecame man so that man might become god” (what it really means)

• Judgment — whythe same glory of God is heaven for some and hell for others

• Salvation — whyforgiveness means nothing without repentance

• Human purpose —why glorifying and thanking God is the core of true humanity

• Scripture inOrthodoxy — how the Bible is understood within the Church

• What God wantsfrom us — communion, transformation, and participation in divine life

• Orthodoxy vsProtestant assumptions — key differences in anthropology and salvation

• Why Orthodoxyinsists on synergy — God’s grace + human response

• What it meansto be truly human in Orthodox theology

• How the earlyChurch shapes Orthodox worship today

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00:00 OrthodoxJudgment: Glory or Hell?

00:21 What GodActually Wants From Us

00:38 ExplainingOrthodoxy in One Sentence

00:47 Meet Fr.Thomas: Priest, Podcaster, Pastor

01:22 Why HisPerspective on Orthodoxy Matters

01:48 Born IntoOrthodoxy… by Adoption

02:38 The MysteryBehind His Adoption Story

03:42 Discoveringthe Bible at 13—A Life Shift

05:07 AnInsatiable Hunger for Scripture

06:33 Why BibleStudy Is Rare in Orthodoxy

07:47 TeachingScripture Before Seminary

08:32 WhyScripture Must Shape Orthodox Life

09:49 DoesOrthodoxy Conflict With the Bible?

11:01 A ScholarJoins the Parish—And Changes Everything

12:02 Why HeBecame a Priest (The Real Story)

13:40 HisFather’s Final Advice Before Ordination

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📘 Certainty for Life: An Invitation for those in EasternOrthodoxy

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Should churchescharge for baptism, weddings, funerals, or membership? This video tackles oneof the most controversial questions circulating online: why some Orthodoxparishes post prices for sacraments or require financial membership dues—andwhether this practice is compatible with Orthodox theology.

In this candidand pastoral response, Orthodox priest Father Thomas Soroka explains why theChurch is not a factory that “hatches, matches, and dispatches,” but the livingBody of Christ, where the sacraments are gifts of grace—not commodities.

🔔Don't miss the full interview with Father Thomas Soroka comingsoon by SUBSCRIBING

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00:00 – ShouldChurches Charge for Baptism?

01:27 – Church IsNot a “Hatch, Match, Dispatch” Factory

03:23 – Are WeSelling the Sacraments?

04:31 – The Tithevs. $5‑a‑Week Giving

06:42 – WhyCharging for Sacraments Is Wrong

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#OrthodoxChristianity#Baptism #OrthodoxChurch #ProtestantToOrthodox #EvangelicalOrthodox #Sacraments#ChristianGiving #Tithing #ChurchHistory #OrthodoxTeaching#ChristianityExplained #FaithAndMoney #OrthodoxPriest #OrthodoxFaith#ChristianDoctrine

Why is “grace” sohard to grasp in many Orthodox contexts—and how can Protestants share thegospel clearly without talking past people?

In this episodeof Evangelising Eastern Orthodoxy, John Diacos speaks with Graeme Innes(Crosslinks missionary in Moldova) about evangelism to those from Orthodoxbackgrounds—especially where “folk Orthodoxy” (tradition + superstition + fear)shapes everyday belief.

You’ll learn:

• What “folkOrthodoxy” looks like on the ground (and why it’s often more controlling thanofficial doctrine)

• Why fear,rituals, and “self‑salvation”instincts can eclipse Jesus

• Why “Are yousaved?” can land differently in Orthodox conversations

• Practicalevangelism approaches for older generations, nominal men, and post‑Orthodox Gen Z

• The “missingpiece”: how to explain grace clearly (and patiently)

• Recommendedresources to understand Orthodoxy and avoid category mistakes

• How to prepareif you’re considering mission work in Orthodox-majority countries

🔔 If you found this helpful, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and sharewith a friend.

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00:00 – FolkOrthodoxy vs True Orthodoxy

00:11 – FrozenLake Cross Ritual & Sin Washing

00:18 – Day ofthe Dead: Wine, Food, and the Grave

00:44 – TollHouses & Paying Off Demons

01:05 – WhyEvangelise Eastern Orthodoxy?

01:41 – Graeme’sStory: From Oxford to Moldova

03:39 – Moldova:Orthodox but Spiritually Lost

06:06 – 96%Orthodox… but What Do They Believe?

07:21 – PaganRituals Hidden Inside Orthodoxy

08:56 – TheBiggest Festival: Day of the Dead

10:54 – Fear,Superstition, and Folk Salvation

14:01 – “I AmOrthodox”: Identity vs Belief

17:26 – WhyMoldova Still Needs Missionaries

20:11 – Inside anEvangelical Orthodox Church

36:17 – ScrapingAway the Wax to Reveal Jesus

38:44 – WhenGrace Finally Breaks Through

43:14 – Why GraceIs Missing in Orthodoxy

46:01 – MostOrthodox Are Spiritually Dead

51:14 – How toReach Orthodox People Today

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#gospeltruth#orthodoxy #orthodox #evangelism #christianity #ChurchHistory #orthodoxchurch#easternorthodoxy #orthodoxfaith #greekorthodoxchurch #russianorthodoxchurch#orthodoxevangelism #ancientfaith #apologetics #converts #christiantheology#Gospel #Grace #Protestant #Reformed #Moldova #Missions #Crosslinks#Apologetics #Christianity #SolaFide #FolkOrthodoxy

Sebastian grew upin a committed Southern Baptist family, surrounded by ministry, missions, andScripture. But after a family crisis, military service, and deep spiritualsearching, he began asking whether something essential was missing. His journeyled him through grief, Bible college, hermeneutics, andeventually—unexpectedly—to the doors of an Orthodox parish.

In thisinterview, Sebastian shares how the continuity of the early Church, theScripture‑saturatedliturgy, and the peace he and his wife experienced in an Orthodox Churchreshaped everything he thought he knew about Christianity. From discovering theJesus Prayer on deployment, to witnessing worship that felt like “entering intoeternity,” to finding a community that felt like home, this is a helpfulinsight into one family's attraction and journey into Eastern Orthodoxy.

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00:00:00 Intro& Episode Trailer

00:02:33 GrowingUp Southern Baptist & Ministry Roots

00:08:26Discovering the Jesus Prayer on Military Deployment

00:15:03 AProtestant's First Divine Liturgy Experience

00:17:23 AReluctant Wife Finds Peace in Orthodoxy

00:21:10 WhatActually Attracts Evangelicals to Eastern Orthodoxy?

00:24:38Experiencing the Book of Revelation in Real Life

00:40:21 Livingas an Orthodox Christian: The Prayer Rule

00:49:16 DoOrthodox Christians Have Assurance of Salvation?

00:54:23Synergism vs. Irresistible Grace Explained

00:58:35Calvinism vs. Orthodoxy: How God Views Our Sin

01:04:53 IsSalvation ONLY Found in the Orthodox Church?

01:14:12 SolaScriptura vs. Holy Tradition: Where is the Truth?

01:19:49 OrthodoxChurches and Sunday School

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#EasternOrthodox#ChristianTestimony #ChurchHistory #ScriptureAndTradition #Communion #Salvation#AssuranceOfSalvation

What happens whensomeone is prosecuted for “proselytism” in Greece—simply for giving a teenagera Bible? In this conversation with Zac, we unpack the story behind CostasMacris, the backlash it triggered, and what it reveals about Orthodoxy,culture, authority, and the Gospel.

Zac also shares his story of growing up GreekOrthodox, discovering the Bible for himself, and learning how to communicatethe gospel with clarity and compassion to Orthodox friends and family.

This episodecovers:

• Why Orthodoxyis emotionally tied to culture and heritage

• The CostasMacris case and why it shook the Greek world

• How Greek BibleFellowship began and why it mattered

• Why manyOrthodox believers lack assurance of salvation

• How Protestantscan engage Orthodox loved ones with wisdom and grace

Perfect foranyone wanting to understand Orthodoxy or share the gospel across traditions.

🔔 If you found this helpful, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and sharewith a friend.

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00:00 Jailed fora Bible

01:11 Welcome& Recap

01:50 IntroducingCostas Macris

02:52 Sentencedfor Proselytism

04:45 Why Invitethe Greeks?

05:21 BibleClosed but Venerated

06:14 Should ISend This?

06:56 TheInflammatory Tagline

07:30 UnhappyFaces Arrive

08:23 CostasChanges Topic

09:34 ExplosiveQ&A

10:22 EmotionRuns Deep

12:26 WhyOrthodoxy Reacts Strongly

14:19 Love–Hatewith the Church

16:27 Authority:Bible or Church?

18:09 Hope forReformation

19:36 GospelConversations at Supper

20:36 Would We DoIt Again?

21:32 StandAgainst the Pack

22:50 Truth vsSelf‑Censorship

23:45 EternalStakes of the Gospel

25:36 How toApproach Orthodox Friends

26:14 A Christmas‑Party Conversation

27:21 Leaving theTradition

28:14 Do You HaveAssurance?

29:20 Freed fromFear

30:09 WhoeverBelieves Has Life

31:31 WhatOrthodox Need to Know

33:42 FinalEncouragement & Gospel Appeal

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#EasternOrthodoxy#OrthodoxChristianity #GreekOrthodox #ChristianEvangelism#ProtestantChristianity #BibleAuthority #ChurchTradition #AssuranceOfSalvation#ChristianTestimony #FaithAndCulture #GospelConversation

If you’ve everwondered what “salvation” feels like inside Eastern Orthodoxy—and why so manylive with uncertainty—this episode is a raw, practical testimony.

In thisconversation, John Diacos interviews Zac, who was raised Greek Orthodox anddescribes a view of salvation that often looked like: “be a good person… andhope for the best.”

He also explainshow God felt distant and remote, and how cultural identity, familyexpectations, and even folk‑religion/superstitionshaped his spiritual outlook.

Then the turningpoint: Zac shares how the death and resurrection of Jesus brought clarity andcertainty—and how Bible teaching (through Sunday school) helped Scripture “comealive.”

You’ll also hearthe origin story behind Greek Bible Fellowship (GBF) (1985), including the deepchallenges of leaving Orthodoxy—family resistance, pressure, and threats—plusthe strengths that made GBF thrive.

In this episodeyou’ll learn:

• What “salvation” can mean in lived GreekOrthodox experience—and why assurance can feel out of reach

• How “cultural Orthodoxy” (identity,weddings, festivals) can replace real gospel certainty

• Why superstition (e.g., evil eye, religiousitems) can become a substitute for spiritual security

• How Scripture centred teaching led Zac toconfidence in Christ

Zac is SeniorMinister at Bayside Anglican Church, Sydney https://www.baysideanglican.church/

And check outtheir regular social and competition pinball events!

https://flipperfellowship.com/

🔔 If you found this helpful, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and sharewith a friend.

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00:00 UndefinedSalvation

00:08 Hope GodNotices

00:22 Security inHard Work

00:41 Violence& Resistance

00:54 Four SoilsReality

01:17 IntroducingZac

02:24 Greek Rootsin Australia

04:21 OrthodoxSalvation View

07:27 WhereSecurity Lived

09:48 Evil Eye& Symbols

12:55 How ChristFound Me

14:38 Bible CameAlive

18:21 FamilyPushback Begins

23:38 Called toGBF

31:31 Threats& Cost of Faith

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📘 Certainty for Life: An Invitation for those in EasternOrthodoxy

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#EasternOrthodoxy#GreekOrthodox #OrthodoxChristianity #Orthodoxy #Salvation#AssuranceOfSalvation #Gospel #ChristianTestimony #Evangelism #BibleTeaching#WorksVsGrace #ConversionStory #ChurchHistory #GreekBibleFellowship#JesusChrist

Cyril Lucaris —Patriarch of Constantinople, champion of Scripture, and the most controversialfigure in Eastern Orthodoxy — openly embraced Reformed theology, defended theauthority of the Bible over the Church, and paid for it with his life.

In this in‑depth conversation with Pastor Jason Wallace,we explore:

• Why GeorgesFlorovsky admitted Lucaris really was Calvinist

• How theOrthodox Church condemned him, then canonized him in 2009

• The explosivedoctrines in the Lucaris Confession (“Scripture above the Church,”“Justification by faith,” “Predestination by grace alone”)

• Why the Councilof Jerusalem forbade ordinary believers from reading Scripture

• How Orthodoxy,Roman Catholicism, and Mormonism use the same authority structure

• The historicalproblems with Ignatius, forged canons, mystical traditions, and later doctrinaldevelopments

• Why Lucarisbelieved the Jesus of Scripture was better than the Jesus of medieval mysticism

• How hismartyrdom exposes the myth of an infallible Church

This video ispart of the Evangelising Eastern Orthodoxy project, equipping Christians tounderstand Orthodox worldview and doctrine in order to communicate the gospelclearly and lovingly.

▶️Jason’s Orthodox-focused videos are gathered at:

https://www.orthodox.video

Jason Wallace’sYoutube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@ancientpathstv⁩

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00:00 – ScriptureAbove the Church? Lucaris’ Explosive Claim

00:17 – APatriarch Who Fought for the Gospel Among the Greeks

00:55 – Why CyrilLucaris Still Matters for Orthodox & Protestants

01:24 – DidLucaris Really Write the Calvinist Confession?

02:11 – FlorovskyConfirms: The Confession Was Lucaris’ Work

03:12 – “NotReally Orthodox”: The Endless Orthodox Denial Loop

05:36 – Ignatius,Forgeries, and the Rise of Mono‑Episcopacy

07:51 – HowTradition Drifted: Bishops, Patriarchs, and Power

09:38 –Mormonism, Rome & Orthodoxy: When Authority Contradicts Itself

11:40 – ModernOrthodox Prophets & Failed Predictions Exposed

13:55 – NewRevelation? When Churches Rewrite Their Own History

19:06 – Lucaris’Confession: Predestination, Justification & Free Will

20:38 – Shouldthe Bible Be in the People’s Language? Jerusalem Says No

22:14 –Canonizing Lucaris: How Does a “Heretic” Become a Saint?

35:06 – WhyLucaris Died: A Patriarch Murdered for the Gospel

38:01 – The Jesusof Scripture vs. The Jesus of Orthodoxy

44:00 –Reformation Is Possible in Orthodoxy—Here’s Proof

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#CyrilLucaris#EasternOrthodoxy #OrthodoxChurch #Calvinism #ReformedTheology #SolaScriptura#OrthodoxVsProtestant #ChurchHistory #CouncilOfJerusalem#EvangelisingEasternOrthodoxy #AncientPathsTV #OrthodoxSaint#ProtestantPatriarch #AuthorityOfScripture #ChristianApologetics

How can sinfulpeople stand before a holy God?

This videoexplores one of the most important truths in Christianity: Jesus Christ as ourGreat High Priest, the one mediator who gives us bold access to God. Drawingfrom Isaiah’s vision, the Temple system, and the book of Hebrews, we unpack whyno human priest, sacrifice, or ritual can bridge the gap between God’s holinessand our sin — and why Christ alone can.

You’ll discover:

• Why God’s holiness creates a realseparation between us and Him

• Why Israel’s priests and sacrifices couldnever remove sin

• How Jesus offers the only perfect sacrifice

• Why Christ’s priesthood is eternal,sinless, and unrepeatable

• How Jesus intercedes for us right now inheaven

• Why believers can approach God withconfidence, not fear

• Why no sin is too great for Christ tocleanse

• How Christ gives us permanent peace withGod

No matter who youare, this teaching clarifies what Scripture means when it says:

“He is able tosave completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives tointercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)

If you’ve everwondered how God can forgive you, how prayer is even possible, or why Jesus’priesthood matters today — this video will give you clarity, confidence, andhope.

Christ has doneeverything.

Christ intercedesforever.

Christ welcomesyou boldly into the presence of God.

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📚 Based on themes from Certainty for Life: An Invitation toEastern Orthodoxy

📘 Learn more about the book Certainty for Life- An Invitation tothose in Eastern Orthodoxy

Available inprint, e‑book, andaudiobook at 👉 https://www.certaintyforlife.com

Print, ebook andaudiobook available at https://books2read.com/u/4NkwQo

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👉 Share with anyone seeking clarity, faith, and assurance

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00:00 God’sHoliness vs Human Sinfulness

00:26 Why IsraelCouldn’t Approach God

01:15 EarthlyMonarchs vs the Heavenly King

02:37 What “Holy”Really Means in Scripture

03:34 Isaiah’sVision: Confronted by God’s Purity

04:37 The Temple:Near to God Yet Kept at a Distance

05:46 The HighPriest and the Rope: The Cost of Access

06:25 Why WeStill Need a Mediator Today

07:02 The Failureof Human Priests (Hebrews)

09:23 WhySacrifices Could Never Remove Sin

10:10 The HighPriest We Actually Need

10:57 Jesus: TheOnly Priest in Heaven

12:21 Christ theAdvocate Who Never Fails

13:37 He SavesCompletely: Eternal Intercession

18:06 Bold Accessto God Through Christ Alone

19:18 Why We CanApproach God With Confidence

20:23 No Sin TooGreat: Christ Cleans Completely

21:02 A Love YouCannot Lose

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#JesusChrist#HighPriest #Hebrews #ChristianTeaching #OrthodoxChristianity#ProtestantTheology #Atonement #Mediation #OneMediator #HolinessOfGod#GospelTruth #BibleStudy #ChristianDoctrine #ApproachGodBoldly #SavedCompletely