My Priest Called Me Out
It’s no secret that since I converted to Orthodox Christianity I’ve been wrestling with what to do with Masculine Revival.
Should the page now explicitly be about Orthodoxy? Am I supposed to try to convert people? Am I dropping the ball by not talking about the faith more openly?
When I first converted, the light of Orthodoxy felt so bright it made everything that came before it seem lesser. The faith consumed me, and in the best way. But that left me asking: how do I just go on talking about masculinity, marriage, leadership, like my whole life hasn’t been radically impacted?
So I wrestled. Back and forth.
I’m lucky to have three priests in my direct orbit who I have strong relationships with. And all three have basically told me the same thing: "The work you’re doing is good. Keep doing it."
But to be honest, that didn’t sit right with me for a long time. I kept thinking, “But don’t you get it? I don’t want to be some normie Orthodox guy. I’m going all in. What’s the ultra-intense spiritual path and teaching for me, bro?”
Now, slowly, I’m settling down in the faith. I’m seeing that Orthodoxy is profoundly mystical and also incredibly grounded. It is balanced. Deeply spiritual and deeply human.
So yesterday I’m chatting with one of my priests, and he hits me with this:
“Here’s some free advice, Brendan. Don’t talk about Orthodoxy unless you’re asked. Just go back to doing what you were doing before. And honestly… just try to be a normal person.”
I laughed, because it was the exact word I needed.
He followed it up with something like: “In the West, we’re obsessed with broadcasting everything. But your faith can just be for you.”
Man, that hit. Grounded. Mature. Wise. Totally aligned with where I’ve already been headed, but it finally drove the point home.
I don’t need to be a public theologian. I’m not a priest. I’m a man trying to live a faithful life, raise a family, do good work, and help other men do the same.
My priest was right. There’s a real temptation, especially in the online world, to feel like you have to turn everything sacred into content. To explain your every move. To share every revelation. But some things don’t need to be shared. Some things are just for God and for me.
And here’s the truth:
If the faith is real, the fruit will show.
In how I lead my home. In my work with men. In how I carry myself online. I don’t need to slap the Orthodox label on every piece of content to prove something.
The people who are meant to ask, will ask. The ones who are curious will dig. The right ones will find what they need to find. And if someone’s hungry for more, I’m happy to talk behind the scenes.
So yes, Orthodoxy is the centerpiece of my life. But ironically, expect to hear about it even less.
The other week I had an Orthodox priest on The Masculine Revival Podcast, and he said something that echoed what my own priest told me:
Just meet people where they’re at. Help men grow in virtue. Helping people strengthen their marriages, reclaim their masculinity, and lead more ordered lives is a good thing. That’s holy work too.
So that’s what I’m striving for from here on out.
Thanks for sticking with me through the wrestling.
Here are three reminders you can take with you:
Not every part of your life is for public consumption.
Resist the pop-culture pressure to make your online presence into a personal diary. Some things are sacred. Share to serve others!
The best testimony to your faith is fruit.
Let the way you live speak louder than what you say (or what you post). That’s what people notice, and what actually matters.
Be in the world, not of it.
You were placed in this time and space for a reason. Show up fully. Occupy your post. But don’t get swept away by the current of worldliness. Fight to stay grounded.
So here’s the TL;DR:
I became Orthodox. I love the faith. It’s changing everything in my life, my mind, my marriage, my priorities. But enough about all that.
Back to serving you.
You know…the man (or woman) I make content for!
In your corner,
Brendan
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