Hope this helps, and hope that your journey to Orthodoxy is filled with every blessing. But the Church is not dependent upon any one convert or their family, nor will the Church reward people (beyond the mysteries and salvation) for converting. Why Would a Protestant Convert to Eastern Orthodox Christianity? Even more obnoxious, though, must be the tendency to reject hospitality. Naturally, it is crucial to know what the Church teaches and acquire an Orthodox mindset on the intellectual level, so to speak, but it is equally crucial to grow in identifying with the People of God, the worshipping community, through fellowship. Buddhists are called to meditate. Needless to say, Rome was indignant; not until the Lateran Council of 1215 did it acknowledge the status of Constantinople. Since the World Council of Churches' Canberra Assembly in 1991, evangelical and Orthodox believers have joined in a series of wcc-sponsored dialogues on matters challenging historic Christian faith. Shortly after the beginning of our own catechumenate as a family, we saw friendsand their familiesbegin journeys towards the East. The numbers are staggering! There is world of difference between going Orthodoxy vs staying pagan. According to The Saga of Erik the Red, there were Christians among the people whom Erik the Red brought to Greenland to settle it in the late tenth century. If anyone is unwilling or not ready to submit to the Church in all areas of life, they should stay awayuntil or unless they are ready to do so. While Rome stumbled toward destruction in 476, Constantinople enjoyed relative theological and political stability for another 1,000 years, until it was sacked by the Turks in 1453. The true details behind her To support our efforts, join us as a member . During those years of discovery I labored to absorb new ideas and excise stubborn old ones. Why didn't Henry VIII go Orthodox, and what would happen if he did? Converts to Orthodoxy usually precede their decision with voluminous reading and research, so their friends must endure agitated lectures on church history, ancient heresies, and what words mean in Greek. In other words, one cannot embrace Orthodox Christianity without embracing Orthodox Christians. It is not always easy to advance strong arguments for these conversions. Such a question cannot be answered through the use of dogmatic assertions or theoretical musings. (Of course, for every person insisting that there were no differences, there was another person asking me to explain the differences. You can make an appointment to talk to our parish priest Fr Athanasios by contacting him at (03) 9387 7693. I appreciate this articles use of blunt honesty! This simple change of dress symbolized a radical shift that has characterized the Protestant West ever since: that the knowledge of God is mediated primarily through the written Word. The Orthodox Church is indelibly marked by the One who is its origin and source. Reaching for the Transcendent on the Streets of New York, http://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2007/12/icons-will-save-the-world, cool blog entry by Fr Andrew Damick - Christian Forums, http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/articles/liturgics/athenagoras_remarriage.htm, http://www.oodegr.co/english/ekklisia/marriage_divorce.htm, http://www.oodegr.com/english/ekklisia/marriage_divorce.htm, http://www.patheos.com/blogs/justandsinner/the-church-fathers-interpretation-of-the-rock-of-matthew-1618-an-historical-refutation-of-the-claims-of-roman-catholicism-by-william-webster/. Many times, inquirers approach the Orthodox Church as a safe haven from controversy and scandal, believing that the Orthodox Churchas the one, true Churchis immune to such things. That there are too many people joining the Church with a silly belief that they rebelling against the modern world, and hoping to instate absolute monarchy. Buddhists fast, pray, and give alms. I think people just dont believe me, and I hardly provide a good personal example. Rather, for Orthodoxy the whole people of God is the protector of apostolic tradition. In Catholicism this external dogmatic authority resides in the teaching magisterium of the church as expressed in the primacy and infallibility of the papacy. 3:15). They are the efficacious means by which God transmits his salvific and sanctifying grace to us. Not to be outdone, the Orthodox could respond in kind. Bauxite mining would threaten birds, plants, and clean water. When celebrating the Eucharist, Catholics mixed the wine with water, while the Orthodox did not. Why would a protestant convert to Eastern Orthodoxy? Maybe you have to soak in it for years, till the evidence becomes overwhelming. At times it can be a healing group especially during the Liturgical services in particular the Eucharist and the Holy Prayer Oil services. But the human warts of where they are at and continuing searching within causes them to look elsewhere. But the impulse is to exaggerate the differences when you fear being hugged to death. Buddhism and Conversion to Orthodoxy - Questions & Answers - Orthodox Can you explain why some former clergy (from non-orthodox backgrounds) can enter without formal orthodox seminary education, while other former clergy (again, from non-orthodox backgrounds) are kept away even after the bishop (he who has the control and power) makes a statement that none may come to the clergy with our formal orthodox seminary? The Actual Conversion to Judaism: Conversion to Judaism has a few components, which are undertaken under the supervision of an established beit din: Accepting the yoke of the commandments. If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you If they persecuted me, they will persecute you (John 15:18. Early on in the life of the Christian church, the Greek-speaking East and the Latin-speaking West began to diverge. Converts from Protestantism claim that Orthodoxy is strongest where evangelicals tend to be weak-its robust liturgical celebration of the majesty and mystery of God, its unyielding insistence on the indispensable role of tradition in theology, and its admirable heritage of perseverance amid terrible fires of persecution. For them the fundamental schism occurred 500 years earlierin the year 1054 (more about that below). The Spirit of God himself, realizing the sacramental presence of Christ in the church, speaks to us in tradition. An Orthodox priest who lectured to standing-room-only crowds at Moscow State once described Orthodox theology to me as "music made in the conservatory," whereas he described Protestant theology as "music made in the honkytonk bars. Second, Christian theology perfectly explained why Jesus, who was also called a prophet, was worthy of worship. As I realized what the big difference is,I grew more insistent, I'm afraid. Through the centuries, theological, geopolitical, cultural, and linguistic factors have combined to differentiate the Orthodox ethos from Western patterns of Christianity. It merits our attention for several reasons. At the time, I was so occupied with comprehending this strange thing called Orthodoxy that I emphasized the differences, and was impatient with kindly big-tent suggestions. While evangelicals might be eager to argue there is no biblical warrant for icons, for the Orthodox it is enough that icons have always been a part of church tradition. How To Become An Orthodox Christian - Journey To Orthodoxy 0. Orthodoxy in America Has a Convert Problem This book cover is mad, Worship Gospel But about this pursuit we can make several observations. She is conscious of being the true Church founded by Christ. Yeah, I think Ive gotten it out of my system. As I realized what the big difference is, I grew more insistent, Im afraid. And while it's true that my involvement with Judaism began with a Jewish boyfriend now my husband of 28 years and the father of our two children as Reform Jews, I would not have had to convert to participate in Jewish life and raise Jewish children. For taking Communion together? Doing so will make much of what you have read come alive, in the sense of seeing how that about which you have read is actually lived. Think of it in the following way. The ex clergy thing I think is very real. Most people like to be polite and get along, so they highlight what we hold in common. Albania, 160,000. I had been to the east and discovered something wondrous that I assumed all Christians crave. The Eucharist, according to the Divine Liturgy of Saint Chrysostom (the normal liturgy for Sundays and weekdays), is "for the purification of the soul, for the remission of sins, for the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, [and] for the Kingdom of Heaven.". It was electrifying. Overall, is the Orthodox church growing in America or is it slowly dying, as the older cradle Orthodox are dying and fewer cradle Orthodox either convert to other churches [primarily Protestant churches] or morph into Deists or worse?. Harakas asked. So why should someone desire to join the Orthodox Church? No new dogmas of faith spring out of the blue in her life. 7 Hollywood stars who adopted Orthodox Christianity Subscribe for our weekly newsletter not to miss the most interesting articles on our blog. I have read many things on the internet, as well as a number of books about the Churchs faith, worship and history. But they all came together in worship, and were shaped by the same hymns and prayers, the appointed Scripture readings, preaching, and the picture Bible of iconography. Your firstand subsequent visitswill help you to discern that to which the Lord is calling you. When the media seized on John Paul II's statement, they not only missed his main point, they missed a wider story. I will always remember my first visit to an Orthodox church in Russia. I kept finding myself in conversations with nice people who wanted to assure me that this very thing I was so excited about in Orthodoxy is something they have in their church as well. When we realize that every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle or a matter of conscience, then we are freed to engage fully people with whom we actually have profound differences without compromising our own theological commitments. But the little guy is not going through a phase. But every church must have its distinctives, or wed all be in the same church. The more familiar I became with Orthodoxy by serving in a local parish, on a parish council, and as an altar assistant, the more I saw others approach the Church, test the waters, and walk back out the narthex door. Christ is thus "the Offerer and the Offered, the Acceptor and the Distributed," all in such a way that nothing is added to his once-for-all sacrifice on the cross. Orthodoxy knows where she stands, and she is in no need to re-define herself. Before trying to discern how evangelicals should respond to these many issues involving Eastern Orthodoxy, a brief history is in order. There are two accounts of Constantine's conversion to Christianity. Protestant theologian Adolf von Harnack once described the Orthodox church as "in her entire structure alien to the Gospel and a perversion of the Christian religion, its reduction to the level of pagan antiquity." Catholicism and Orthodoxy are not alike in their views on the nature of theological authority; it is nevertheless correct to say that Orthodoxy, like Catholicism, views Protestantism in a similar negative manner. I cant be the only one to have done this. Tom Hanks Legion Media The famous Hollywood actor converted to Orthodox Christianity as an adult. But I slowly came to see that I cant communicate it. We should expect nothing less of ourselves than total respect for and even love of the history, theology, and culture of Orthodoxy; still, two things ought to be said about Orthodox complaints about Protestant proselytizing. First, Christianity had no doctrine to support the Islamic hypothesis about Jesus' modification into a semi-god. Wow, like it very much. John 6 Comments Cole Knight, a former Anglican, got Baptized in the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church. If our only reason for converting is more somber, reverent, and beautiful worship, the newness of this experience soon wanes. John A. Peck, The Apostolic Mission of Journey To Orthodoxy, On the Path of Love: From Islam to Christianity, Madagascar: Church Opens Huge Complex with Church, Schools, Orphanage, Old Folks Home, Australia: Orthodoxy Fastest Growing Church amidst General Christian Decline. The Conversion of Russia - Catholicism.org Toggle signature Christianity had, in fact, penetrated "Russia" by the early 900s, when at least one church had been built in the ancient city of Kiev. Home / In fact, what Orthodox converts "vow to accept" diverges significantly from important, basic tenets of evangelical Protestantism. Orthodox Christianity has a rich tradition of meditation, of fasting, of praying, of giving alms. The sacraments of the Church have helped fill countless young people's lives with meaning in ways that are difficult to find elsewhere. Instead, an adolescent has to figure out and establish his adult persona in the face of affection. This is a sufficiently serious reason for reproach: We are right to expect that the Church will point out a path toward God, independently of the jolts and shocks of the epoch; that it will remain,. Thank you for this! People often assume that most Jews by choice convert because they have a partner or spouse who is Jewish. Yes, because clearly a Christian is the most honest person to talk about the inner thoughts of atheists . Yet, at times there are questions of conscience and matters of principle. Vladimir agreed, in exchange for a marital tie; he also agreed to accept Christianity as his religion and bring his people to the new faith. There is a distinct set of conservative converts to Eastern Orthodoxy, which depending on your perspective either left, or was left by, Roman Catholicism in the Great Schism of 1054. This is not just an explanation but an apology, and even an appreciation for the perseverance of friendship in the face of truly annoying behavior. Our digital archives are a work in progress. To my friend who asked why I had not converted to Orthodoxy, the answer was surprisingly easy. Orthodox believers see things very differently. But only lately has it dawned on me that I must have strained friendships over the years due to my vocal enthusiasm for my adopted church. This conception lessens the validity and value of the Holy Scriptures as the primary source of Christian dogma." YouTube | Thats surely a factor, but I think theres something else going on, more specific to Orthodox converts. Along with Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, Orthodox Christianity is one of the world's three major Christian traditions. The Orthodox Church in America, with roots in Moscow and about 85,000 adherents . For example, their local parish was too ethnic; the priest wasnt nice or outgoing; their spouse wasnt interested; they found logical inconsistencies in the writings of the fathers; and so on. Some have argued that evangelicals eager to "contend earnestly for the faith" (Jude 3) will find an ally in Orthodoxy's allegiance to the basic truths of Christianity. Those who will guide you through your period of instruction and formation surely will help you in this regard. Receive updates and announcements from Orthodox Witness. This period of instruction, discernment and spiritual formation also affords you with the opportunity to develop and strengthen your relationship with the parishs clergy and faithfulthose with whom you will worship in Spirit and truth and with whom you will share in fellowship as a member of the Body of Christ, the Church. It was like seeing a face emerge from a random pattern of dots, and then wink at you. Alister McGrath, an intellectual historian and proponent of paleo-orthodoxy, claims that many of the . Indeed, in a letter of 865, Pope Nicholas made it clear that he intended to extend the power of the papacy "over all the earth, that is, over every church." Vladimir I and Christianization | Western Civilization - Lumen Learning Its not something you can figure out by studying the Church Fathers. Further, they identify themselves by reference to Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), the "new Rome" of Emperor Constantine, and to the first seven ecumenical councils of the church. She rightly claims the wholeness of the truth. Why should we welcome that? Most Protestants would experience an Orthodox liturgy as something strange, even exotic. Why I'm Not Orthodox | Christianity Today ADL, AJC join Orthodox groups in Supreme Court case on supporting Geoff. Circumcision controversy in early Christianity - Wikipedia For employment at a seminary? Icons are absolutely central to Orthodoxy, distinguishing it from both Catholicism and Protestantism. Discussion online about converts to Orthodoxy in America includes papers and blogging by writers in venues such as Public Orthodoxy of the Fordham Orthodox Christian Studies Center, the allied Orthodox Theological Society of America, and various blogs and social media. Second, in biblical interpretation the Reformers placed the Scriptures above the church. After that, Orthodoxy is by far the best possible choice of religion for Russia because of Byzantium. The Search for Authority and the Fear of Difference, Nostalgia Without Memory: A Case Study of American Converts to Eastern Orthodoxy in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, The Eastern Church in the Spiritual Marketplace: American Conversions to Orthodox Christianity, New York Times Article on Calvinist Revival., If Not Sola Scriptura, Then What? Cyprus, 450,000 The last reason Orthodox converts are obnoxious resembles the reason adolescents are obnoxious. My ideas havent changed, and Im always glad for a good discussion, but maybe Im past the need to belabor them. For good and ill, it is a classic "cultural religion," and comprehending Orthodoxy is an indispensable key to understanding those countries, cultures, and people. At the beginning, I thought I knew what I was getting into. I've chosen Oriental Orthodoxy over the Byzantine Church because I believe that ours is closer in doctrine and liturgy to the earliest Christians. The Orthodox Church has existed since the day of Pentecost and when we truly believe and become truly attached, not merely by baptism or chrismation, not merely by our presence but by our actions and our inner convictions, then and only then do we truly become connected to the Church, to Jesus Christ the Saviour and therefore to the Trinitarian God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit. This book cover is made to order i, Hand-painted Icon of Christ the Pantocrator (acryl. Other times it is a youth group or Bible study group inspiring and educating. There is not going to be a restored "Celtic" Orthodoxy or "Anglo-Saxon" Orthodoxy. Ask An Eastern Orthodox Christian: Conversion Process - SpokaneFVS
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