Source: Let’s Be Friends
February 12, 2026
Today, it's time to discuss economia. You may know Fr. Peter from Orthodox Ethos, but Fr. Peter is also a priest of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of the United States of America and assistant priest of the Holy Protection of the Mother of God Orthodox Church in Houston, TX.
In this episode we discuss the unvarnished truth about Orthodox Baptism and the overused practice of economia—what the Church Fathers truly teach and why modern departures threaten our salvation. When does a deviation undermine the very mysteries of the faith? And how does the historical Patristic consensus challenge today’s widespread laxity?
In this compelling episode, Fr. Peter Heers unpacks the vital distinction between legitimate economia and dangerous innovations that distort the Sacred Mysteries. You’ll learn how saints like St. Basil and Canon 47 of the Council of Trullo uphold the necessity of proper triple immersion, and how recent shortcuts risk undermining the Divine grace bestowed through authentic Sacraments. We break down the crucial criteria set by the Church to distinguish temporary pastoral exceptions from systemic errors, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness to the Fathers’ teachings.
In the episode we discuss Fr. Peter’s book, The Reception of the Heterodox into the Orthodox Church, which offers clarity on complex issues such as improper reception, rebaptism, and the dangerous shift from canonical practice to ecumenist compromise. You’ll discover why the practice of pouring water instead of immersion is not only heretical but also spiritually perilous, and how saints and councils historically handled such deviations.
Join us to understand how the loss of proper Baptism and adherence to the Church’s tradition risks opening the door to spiritual danger, including the influence of heresies and the rise of anti-Christian forces. Equip yourself with the knowledge to defend the Divine Mysteries with confidence, and help restore the sacred posture of the Church in our tumultuous times.
