Orthodox Talks

Orthodox Talks by Priestmonk Kosmas, Sydney, Australia 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.

Orthodox Talks by Priestmonk Kosmas, Sydney, Australia 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.

Orthodox Talks by Priestmonk Kosmas, Sydney, Australia 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.

Orthodox Talks by Priestmonk Kosmas, Sydney, Australia 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.

Orthodox Talks by Priestmonk Kosmas, Sydney, Australia www.OrthodoxTalks.com (MP3 duration: 1hr 37mins) Since the events of September 11, 2001, there has been much in the media regarding martyrs, martyrdom, sacrifice, jihad, etc. Because of this, many Orthodox Christians are confused about what true martyrdom is. Furthermore, the very mention of martyrdom causes many to have a negative reaction. In this talk, Father Kosmas outlines what an Orthodox martyr is and the attitude that Orthodox Christians should have towards those of different faiths. He answers a very important question: is every desire for martyrdom spiritually healthy? Furthermore, using the life of the New-Martyr Constantine (June 2), he examines whether such a desire can in fact come from pride. The following questions are also discussed: it is easy to hate those who wish us harm, but is this allowed for an Orthodox Christian? Should Orthodox Christians be proud that they have the True Faith and, because of this, disdain those of other faiths? Why do the demons afflict those who produce Orthodox materials and services in English? Can zeal for the truth stem from pride? Why has it been said that “only idiots believe in dreams”? Were the martyrs scared of denying Christ during their sufferings? What are the dangers when making promises to God? Other points covered in this talk include: true and false conversions to Orthodoxy; counterfeit spirituality; tricks of the demons; whether there are good ghosts and bad ghosts; spiritual ignorance; the difference between spiritual fathers and confessors; the many temptations to deny Christ today; how lack of discernment can lead to spiritual disaster; obedience and humility; the dangers of fantasy; true and false inner peace; the bedsores of lounge chair confessors; “holy” liars; and the blessedness of seeking God’s will.

Orthodox Talks by Priestmonk Kosmas, Sydney, Australia www.OrthodoxTalks.com (MP3 duration: 1hr 42mins) More and more lives of saints have become available in English. Many of the Holy Fathers of the Church have said that it is absolutely necessary for one’s salvation to read the lives of saints. This statement seems harsh to some: why such an emphasis on reading the lives of the saints? The answer is that by studying their lives, Orthodox Christians are able to see the teachings of the Gospel in practice. Trying to read and apply the Gospels without following the example of the saints can lead to heresy and deception. In this talk, Father Kosmas relates the life of New-Martyr Constantine. As a Turk, Saint Constantine knew that converting to Orthodoxy from Islam would result in the death sentence. Regardless of this, he set out for Mount Athos to receive Holy Baptism. After listening to this life, one will have no doubt that the lives of saints can be applied to our own lives in many ways. The following questions are also discussed: does God help the non-Orthodox? Is obedience really that important? Did the Holy Fathers of Mount Athos compromise with the Muslim authorities? To what degree may we judge those who have made compromises in difficult situations? What attitude should the Orthodox have towards non-Orthodox? Other points covered in this talk include: visions and dreams; sorcery; conversion of Muslims to Orthodoxy; the devil’s tricks; supernatural phenomena in the media; Islam and Orthodoxy; spiritual stubbornness; sociopaths and the mentally ill; being judged according to one’s conscience; mediums; ghost chasers; corrupt monastics and clergy; and UFOs.

Orthodox Talks by Priestmonk Kosmas, Sydney, Australia www.OrthodoxTalks.com (MP3 duration: 2hrs 30mins) The Church’s teachings regarding death and the afterlife are something everyone should know. Simple observation, however, demonstrates that most people, including Orthodox Christians, are not familiar with these essential truths. Since we will all face death, the question naturally arises: why is there such ignorance, neglect and fear in a matter concerning the eternal salvation of our souls? God desires that all come to the knowledge of the truth and thereby attain salvation. The desire of the demons, however, is to keep us ignorant in order to prevent our salvation, for our salvation is hateful and agonizing to them. In this talk, Father Kosmas uses many excellent examples to explain the teachings of the Orthodox Church on the topic of death and dying. After listening to this talk, one will understand that the Church offers blessed eternal life to the souls who have reposed in the hope of God’s mercy and love. Questions discussed include: should Christians fear death? Is all contact with the spiritual world evil? Can the reposed make contact with the living? Can good deeds help us after death? Why do some people die a violent death? Why don’t some bodies decompose? Can the Church release sinners from hell? What are the toll-houses? How can helping the dead help us? Other points included in this talk are: ecumenism beyond the grave; the difference between natural, divine, and demonic apparitions and dreams; the importance of our Guardian Angel before and after death; unconfessed sins after death; the importance of commemorating the dead; the pain of the soul at the hour of death; the Church’s prayers before and after the departure of the soul; the appearance of demons at the time of death; and reciting the Creed at the time of death.

Orthodox Talks by Priestmonk Kosmas, Sydney, Australia www.OrthodoxTalks.com (MP3 duration: 2hrs 4mins) In almost any bookstore or library, as well as online and on television, one can find numerous accounts of “near-death experiences”—first-hand experiences of people who have died or nearly died and then returned to life. Such people often describe meeting a “being of light” that is non-judgemental and full of love, as well as many other pleasant encounters and sensations. These accounts have greatly influenced public opinion on matters relating to death and the afterlife, even among many Orthodox Christians. In this talk, Father Kosmas discusses how many people today feel that this new teaching offers a more enlightened and humane attitude towards death and dying. He describes how these accounts are even promoted as a helpful way to prepare the dying for the transition from this life to the next. It is claimed that these accounts remove the fear of death, replacing it with a calm acceptance, or even an eager anticipation, of death and the afterlife. Although the Orthodox Church possesses the truth about death and dying, many Orthodox Christians have unfortunately been influenced by these teachings. The following questions are also discussed: is it true that when a person dies they can see their own body? Should Orthodox Christians fear death? What were the saints concerned with at the time of their death? Why does society object to treating hell as a reality? Why have scientists and doctors become interested in dying and the afterlife? How do modern near-death and afterlife experiences promote suicide? Can a soul see and hear after death? Can the dead appear and talk to the living? Other points covered in this talk include: ancient civilizations and their beliefs about the afterlife; negative opinions about traditional Christian teachings on the afterlife; how blind people who died during an operation could see everything in the operating room; how angels at times appear to the dying as dead relatives or friends; accounts of people who died and were resuscitated and what they saw; visions at the time of death; society’s powerlessness to help the dying; the three types of ESP: natural, divine and demonic; and spiritual communism in the West.

Orthodox Talks by Priestmonk Kosmas, Sydney, Australia www.OrthodoxTalks.com

Orthodox Talks by Priestmonk Kosmas, Sydney, Australia www.OrthodoxTalks.com

Orthodox Talks by Priestmonk Kosmas, Sydney, Australia www.OrthodoxTalks.com

Orthodox Talks by Priestmonk Kosmas, Sydney, Australia www.OrthodoxTalks.com

Orthodox Talks by Priestmonk Kosmas, Sydney, Australia www.OrthodoxTalks.com

Orthodox Talks by Priestmonk Kosmas, Sydney, Australia www.OrthodoxTalks.com

Orthodox Talks by Priestmonk Kosmas, Sydney, Australia www.OrthodoxTalks.com

Orthodox Talks by Priestmonk Kosmas, Sydney, Australia www.OrthodoxTalks.com

Orthodox Talks by Priestmonk Kosmas, Sydney, Australia www.OrthodoxTalks.com

Orthodox Talks by Priestmonk Kosmas, Sydney, Australia www.OrthodoxTalks.com

Orthodox Talks by Priestmonk Kosmas, Sydney, Australia www.OrthodoxTalks.com

Orthodox Talks by Priestmonk Kosmas, Sydney, Australia www.OrthodoxTalks.com

Orthodox Talks by Priestmonk Kosmas, Sydney, Australia www.OrthodoxTalks.com

Orthodox Talks by Priestmonk Kosmas, Sydney, Australia www.OrthodoxTalks.com