Discerning the priesthood begins with presence, not action
What the video says
The speaker advises those discerning the priesthood to first seek spiritual guidance and accountability, citing a Russian saying that a person alone can only perish. He emphasizes that in Orthodoxy the initial call is not to act but to be present with God and be formed by Him.
The process requires honest conversation with one's priest, gentleness toward oneself, and patience over years to see if the call bears fruit.
Key moments
- We all need spiritual fathers and accountability partners, priests, wives, people in our lives, to talk through a call to ministry.
- A Russian saying states that the only thing a person can do alone is perish.
- The first step is to sit at the feet of God and be formed and informed by Him.
- In Orthodoxy, you are called first to be, to be present with God, not to act immediately.
- In time, you see what happens with that presence.
- Have an honest conversation with your priest about the discernment.
- Be gentle with yourself and patient.
- Allow years for the call to come to fruition, if it is God's call.
The speaker advises those discerning a call to the priesthood to first seek spiritual guidance and accountability. He cites a Russian saying that the only thing a person can do alone is perish, emphasizing the need for spiritual fathers, accountability partners, priests, wives, and people in one's life to talk through a call to ministry.
In Orthodoxy, he explains, the initial call is not to act but to be present with God and be formed by Him. The first step is to sit at the feet of God and be informed by that presence. The process requires honest conversation with one's priest about the discernment, gentleness toward oneself, and patience over years to see if the call bears fruit. He urges allowing years for the call to come to fruition, if it is God's call.
Main points
- Spiritual guidance and accountability are essential for discernment
- A Russian saying: a person alone can only perish
- Orthodoxy calls first to be present with God, not to act immediately
- Honest conversation with one's priest, gentleness, and patience are required
- The call may take years to come to fruition