Genuine Orthodox Truth Seekers | Journeys to True Orthodoxy
What leads someone to True Orthodoxy — and what does it cost to follow that conviction?
Genuine Orthodox Truth Seekers brings together reflections from clergy and faithful across the United States, Canada, Ireland, Nigeria and beyond on their journeys toward the True Orthodox Church.
Their testimonies touch on the Old Calendar question, Ecumenism, missionary life, rejection, loss, illness, sacrifice and the difficult process of following one’s convictions when the easier path would be to remain where one is.
These are not stories of triumphalism. They are stories of people searching for truth, wrestling with difficult decisions, and seeking to remain faithful to the Orthodox Church.
Featured Speakers
Fr Panagiotes Carras
Fr Panagiotes reflects on his early encounters with the Old Calendar Church and on the assumptions he had been taught about Old Calendarist Christians before coming to know them more closely.
Fr Steven Allen
Fr Steven recounts the personal consequences of leaving his former ecclesiastical position over concerns about the movement toward Ecumenism — including the loss of his parish, home and income — and later reflects on the need for humility rather than triumphalism.
Fr Stephen Tema — Nigeria
Fr Stephen describes his search for an authentically Eastern Orthodox life in Nigeria, the rejection he experienced from family and others, and the long journey that eventually led to contact with Metropolitan Demetrius and ordination within the Genuine Orthodox Church.
Subdeacon Seraphim — Ireland
Subdeacon Seraphim reflects on the pain that can accompany the search for truth and on his experience of finding truth lived with love within the Genuine Orthodox Church.
Presbyter Dmitry Wieber
A priest of the American Eparchy of the Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians of Greece, Fr Dmitry reflects on marginalisation, fidelity to the Church, and the narrow path walked by the saints.
His testimony carries particular weight in light of his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2025.
Source Videos & Original Interviews
The excerpts in this compilation have been drawn from longer talks, interviews and recordings. Wherever possible, we link to the original publication so viewers can hear each speaker in full and support the channels and organisations that produced the original material.Fr Panagiotes Carras — The founding of our parish of Saint Nektarios
Published by: Metropolis of Toronto - Genuine Orthodox Church
Fr Steven Allen —
What Path Forward for Our Struggle? Lessons from the Russian Church Abroad.
Published by: Orthodox Tradition
Fr Stephen Tema — The Orthodox Christians of Nigeria
Published by: St Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary
Subdeacon Seraphim —
From ROCOR-MP to GOC: Subdeacon Seraphim’s Journey to the True Orthodox Church in Northern Ireland
Published by: Orthodox Traditionalist Publications
Presbyter Dmitry Weiber — A Priest with a Terminal Illness | Tea Time at the Seminary
Published by: Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary
Themes in the Video
The testimonies in Truth Seekers touch on several recurring themes within the experience of converts and clergy who came to the Genuine Orthodox Church:
The search for True Orthodoxy — asking difficult questions about ecclesiology, tradition and Church unity.
Ecumenism and conscience — the point at which theological concerns become personal decisions.
Sacrifice and rejection — loss of relationships, parish life, livelihood or social acceptance.
Mission and perseverance — particularly in places where access to True Orthodox clergy and parishes is limited.
Humility rather than triumphalism — remaining Orthodox not because one imagines oneself superior, but because one is trying to remain faithful.
Related Resources
Sources & Corrections
We aim to represent our sources accurately and provide primary material wherever possible.
If a source link is no longer available, or you believe a citation, translation or factual statement requires correction or clarification, please contact us.
Where appropriate, corrections or additional information will be added to this page so that the supporting material remains transparent and accessible.
