Course Description
This course will delve into the various spiritual trends that often permeate our culture and will provide an Orthodox Christian pastoral response to such movements. From pop culture ghost hunting, the use of psychic devices to folk remedies for paranormal issues, this course will examine how such spiritual pursuits are entrapments instead of the true healing we receive from spiritual bondage in the Church.
Course Details
Dates: Oct 15, 22, 29, Nov 5
Length of course: 5 weeks
Time: Sundays at 7:00 PM Eastern
Class length: ~60 minutes per class
Prerequisite: Open to all people, no prerequisites
Teacher: Fr. Maximos is a priest of the diocese of Eastern America and New York of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. He is the current rector of Holy Protection Church in Massachusetts. Twenty-five years ago as a college student his interest in understanding psychic phenomena led him to famed paranormal researchers Ed and Lorraine Warren of whose work “The Conjuring” universe is based. After writing up case files for their journal he became an active investigator, investigating many cases of purported psychic phenomena ranging from poltergeist activity to individuals and families under diabolical siege. Seeing that new age remedies and folk cures were often implemented, but to no avail, he was convinced that the one and only solution was Christ. As a result, he began to theorize that much of the reported phenomena that appears to be genuine was demonic in nature. He emphasizes the need of a Christocentric worldview and its application, where man has the hope of healing, redemption, and true freedom in the Christ. Even today as a clergyman, his work in this field carries on in the realm. To date he has worked on over 275 active cases of purported psychic phenomena. Additionally, Fr. Maximos has worked extensively with those in respite care, hospice and nursing home facilities. In 2020 he finished his master’s degree in general psychology as well as continuing education courses in the field of substance abuse.
Reading Materials
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8014262549
