134. Everything You're Afraid to Ask Your Orthodox Priest | Traditions, Marijuana, Prayers for the Dead with Fr. Philip134. Everything You're Afraid to Ask Your Orthodox Priest | Traditions, Marijuana, Prayers for the Dead with Fr. Philip
Raised & Redeemed
Fr. Philip answers candid questions about Orthodox tradition, confession, calendars, holy water, and praying for the dead, while sharing his journey through other spiritual paths into Orthodoxy. The discussion gently touches on psychedelics and marijuana, stressing repentance and genuine healing over sensational spiritual experiences.
1:24:14•12 Aug 2026
Orthodox Faith, Big Questions and Everyday Faithfulness with Fr Philip
Episode Overview
- Greeting a priest with “father bless” and using modest, respectful dress helps set a reverent tone in Orthodox worship.
- Women’s head coverings are treated as voluntary acts of humility and tradition, not strict requirements that should cause anxiety.
- Prayers, candles and commemorations for the departed reflect belief that our love and faith can still matter after someone has fallen asleep in the Lord.
- Confession is framed as medicine for the soul, aiming at healing and relief rather than shame or harsh punishment.
- Using holy water, focusing on repentance, and being cautious about psychedelics and recreational marijuana are presented as ways to seek genuine spiritual health instead of risky experiences.
“The point is not to have some grand spiritual experience or see lights and things like that. What you aim for, as St. Paisios said, is repentance.”
What emotional and inspiring tales of recovery are out there? This conversation with Fr. Philip at St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church offers something different: spiritual clarity for anyone curious, anxious or plain confused about Orthodox Christianity. Michaela brings her trademark honesty from a background of trauma and substance use, and asks all the "beginner" questions many people are afraid to raise. Fr.
Philip explains how to greet a priest (“usually you'd say ‘father bless’”), what modest dress looks like in church, and why women’s head coverings are voluntary rather than a rigid rule. He keeps things light with jokes about burkas and bank robbery, while staying serious about reverence and humility.
You’ll hear why parishioners venerate icons by kissing hands or feet, not faces, and how candles and written names are used to pray for both the living and those who have fallen asleep. On the thorny question of old vs new calendars, Fr. Philip cuts through the tension with, “God is not worried about our calendars. Yeah. He’s outside of time,” stressing unity and love over date arguments.
A major highlight is his explanation of praying for the dead and salvation after death, drawing on Gospel stories, saints’ experiences and the idea that our love and prayer can still matter for those who’ve passed on. He talks confession as medicine for the soul, describing people who walk out visibly lighter after laying down long-hidden burdens. The episode also touches on Native American spiritual traditions, psychedelics and marijuana. Fr.
Philip warns that chasing intense experiences or altered states can open doors we’re not ready for, contrasting that with the Orthodox focus: “The point is not to have some grand spiritual experience… What you aim for… is repentance.” If you’ve ever wondered how Orthodoxy views sin, healing, the departed or spiritual experiences, this chat might be just the nudge you need to ask your own questions—what do you feel ready to bring into the light?
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