In 1993, I was chrismated and joined the Eastern Orthodox Church. As we move constantly between Unity and Trinity in God, so we must move between the parts and the whole in the Church, the whole being infinitely more than the sum of the parts. Surely there is enough evangelistic work for everyone. Another danger is converting to Orthodoxy simply because it is beautiful. "Whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away." Turning to Jesus brings you to God, and you begin to understand His plan of salvation. I think people just dont believe me, and I hardly provide a good personal example. His response: "I don't know.". Wow, like it very much. The Orthodox Church is indelibly marked by the One who is its origin and source. Receive updates and announcements from Orthodox Witness. When the media seized on John Paul II's statement, they not only missed his main point, they missed a wider story. Why did you convert to Orthodoxy? | OrthodoxChristianity.net Why had a group of conservative American Christians converted to Russian Orthodoxy? Cerularius condemned Humbert and entreated Orthodox believers to "flee the fellowship of those who have accepted the heretical Latins." Similarly, Protestants like Thomas Oden, Donald Bloesch, and others have shown that one need not join Orthodoxy to immerse oneself in the patristic past with joy, gratitude, and a sense of accountability to that "great cloud of witnesses" of the last two millennia. Instead, an adolescent has to figure out and establish his adult persona in the face of affection. Search, Learn more about the Orthodox Church in America, Orthodoxy and Cults and Non-Christian Groups. Q&A: A closer look at Orthodox Christians | Pew Research Center It takes a while to get it, because its received by a process of immersion, by soaking in a context of worship. The secret is out. Serbia, 8 million This should trouble evangelicals (as well as other Protestants), especially when it is combined with the Orthodox idea of who constitutes the church and how one enters the church. Why Converts to Christian Orthodoxy Are So Obnoxious by Frederica It depends on where you put the emphasis. Orthodox spiritual life gives central prominence to the sacraments. Almost everyone around me was a Baptist. My Conversion from Islam to Orthodoxy - ORTHODOX CHEYENNE 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. As I realized what the big difference is,I grew more insistent, I'm afraid. Two theological controversies drove the final wedge between Catholic and Orthodox Christians: papal supremacy and the so-called filioque controversy. Russian Baptists, Adventists, and Pentecostals feel persecuted. Vladimir I formed an alliance with Basil II of the Byzantine Empire and married his sister Anna in 988. Rather, for Orthodoxy the whole people of God is the protector of apostolic tradition. 2. All Rights ReservedDesigned by Fr. * 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. Unfortunately the Eastern organization is founded on control and power. 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. 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. . But that cant be the case with me, so lets press on. For any convert, it's a spiritual, intense, and private process,. But the little guy is not going through a phase. In Catholicism this external dogmatic authority resides in the teaching magisterium of the church as expressed in the primacy and infallibility of the papacy. She rightly claims the wholeness of the truth. The basic framework of services like the Divine Liturgy or Vespers doesnt change much, but every day of the liturgical year provides prayers for saints and feasts that can be added to that framework. How to Become an Orthodox Christian - Phoenix, Arizona Reasons for Vladimir I's Conversion to Christianity and | Studymode It took me a few years to sense that there was a whole other something going on. Along with Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, Orthodox Christianity is one of the world's three major Christian traditions. Most notable are its beliefs about baptism and the Eucharist. For the past year or so I have been considering conversion to Orthodox Christianity. But perhaps our theology of the church is too "low," much lower than our Protestant forebears would have it. The Mission of The Orthodox Church in America, the local autocephalous Orthodox Christian Church, is to be faithful in fulfilling the commandment of Christ to Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Through the centuries, theological, geopolitical, cultural, and linguistic factors have combined to differentiate the Orthodox ethos from Western patterns of Christianity. Handcarved Later ecumenical councils at Constantinople (381) and Chalcedon (451) acknowledged Constantinople as the "New Rome" and accorded it "equal privileges" and "equal rank in ecclesiastical matters" with Latin Rome. Becoming Orthodox means being willing to submit to the Church and Her bishops, who might not be interested in ordaining you. We knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth, for surely there is no such splendor or beauty anywhere upon earth. At each point in their conversions, from initial religious seeking to settling into life as Orthodox Christians, Orthodox converts in Pittsburgh consistently relate a kind of on-going negotiation between self and other, as they research religious differences and experiment with practices and dogmas. Once inside, a Western Christian experiences sensory overload: the near absence of chairs or pews, dim lighting, head coverings for most women, icons and frescoes covering almost every inch of space on the walls and ceiling, a massive and ornate iconostasis separating the priest and the worshipers, the smoky smell of incense and hundreds of candles burning in memory of the dead, the priest resplendent in his ornate vestments and enormous beard, and worshipers repeatedly prostrating themselves, kissing the icons, and making the sign of the cross. While some did come over by force, the Orthodox also forcibly converted large numbers of Eastern Catholics Orthodoxy. Antioch, 750,000 3:15). If a richer liturgical life is what a believer wants, converting to Orthodoxy is hardly necessary. Further, the Orthodox reject the idea of inherited guilt; we are guilty only for our own sins rather than for the inborn consequences of Adam's fall. Second, whatever failings Western missionaries might bring to their work, and whether Orthodoxy likes to admit it, many Russians are responding very positively to a clear, contemporary presentation of the gospel by Protestant missionaries. 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. Submitted by Fr. This could take some timeperhaps a year or more, depending on a variety of circumstancesand should not be rushed. Just as we pray that Gods will, not our own, be done, so too we pray that we might embrace the faith in Gods time, not our own. Orthodox Christianity offers a third solution, that is faith with an emphasis on symbolism, inner experience, and Church communion. If someone is approaching the Orthodox Church from a purely rationalistic standpoint, they will almost surely find it wanting. Yeah, I think Ive gotten it out of my system. Failing to remember (or be taught) this, we are scandalized and even lose our faith in the Church, not distinguishing between the divine and human natures, or confusing them. Why I'm Not Orthodox | Christianity Today For good and ill, it is a classic "cultural religion," and comprehending Orthodoxy is an indispensable key to understanding those countries, cultures, and people. To support our efforts, join us as a member . There is a certain chemistry involved, which one cannot so easily verbalize. This conception lessens the validity and value of the Holy Scriptures as the primary source of Christian dogma." Rome accused the "Greek heretics" of trying to "humiliate and crush the holy catholic and apostolic church." Then B. Together they gathered an army with the intent to regain control of Rus' and establish Vladimir as the ruler. At times it can be a healing group especially during the Liturgical services in particular the Eucharist and the Holy Prayer Oil services. As Philip said to Nathaniel, Come and see [John 1:46]. Rather, they are a source of revelation. The ex clergy thing I think is very real. "It's typically an immigrant faith, so I was really interested in that experience and why it spoke to. I can remember that, after Id been Orthodox a few years, developing an increasing sense of tension or frustration. What Do I Need to Do to Become Greek Orthodox? - Greek Boston Instead, an adolescent has to figure out and establish his adult persona in the face of affection. Moreover, evangelicals have some important lessons to learn from Orthodoxy. Over coffee one day I asked an Orthodox priest whether I, as a Protestant theologian, might be considered a true Christian. Further, Protestants have long enjoyed rich liturgical traditions of their own (see, for example, Bard Thompson's classic Liturgies of the Western Church). Russia, 50-85 million Bulgaria, 8 million On June 16, 1054, Pope Leo IX's legate, Cardinal Humbert, delivered a Bull of Excommunication to the Orthodox Patriarch Michael Cerularius on the altar of the Church of the Holy Wisdom at Constantinople while the patriarch prepared to celebrate the Divine Liturgy, condemning him and his court. He states that in Gaul, before setting out towards Rome, Constantine and his army saw a great cross in the sky. Why did YOU convert to the Coptic Orthodox Church? At the beginning, I thought I knew what I was getting into. 1:4). Orthodox Christian churches are drawing in far-right American converts 12 Reasons Why I Became and/or Remain an Orthodox Christian He has no good option for dealing with that affection, so hes either sullen or angry. Whether you decided to do so because you are marrying someone who is a member of the church, or you simply decide to convert on your own, you might be overwhelmed as to where to start. Conversion to Christianity - Wikipedia (2 Pet. "I was A. (To be fair, we should note that a large number of Orthodox have become evangelical Protestants as well.). Its that Orthodoxy still passes on the early churchs knowledge of how to tune in to the presence of Christ. By the end of the sixth century, neither group could speak the other's language. 3:15 ). 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/. The sum of all parts wont add to the total. Why Would a Protestant Convert to Eastern Orthodox Christianity? This absorbed my attention so much that I was apt to expound my current level of comprehension to anyone who stood still in my vicinity. They become clergy in their group. Share your feedback here. At the 1996 meeting of sseoe, Orthodox representative Stanley Harakas said that the Orthodox, who have lived for 70 years in Russia under Communist oppression, are in a state of weakness, unable to rebuild churches and barely able to educate their parishioners. Perhaps this unanticipated experience of encountering something unknown and marvellously organic accounts for the distinctive lapel-grabbing impulse among converts to Orthodoxy. Also, while evangelicals wholeheartedly embrace the full-orbed New Testament descriptions of the work of Christ (reconciliation, ransom, redemption, forgiveness, adoption, etc. It is precisely this exclusivistic assertion that some Protestant converts, in search of the "true, New Testament Church" have found so beguiling. Similarly, a person can read a dozen books on Orthodox Christianity, but that which he or she has read will not come alive until he or she actually encounters the Church as the worshipping People of God. Your email address will not be published. This has some truth to it, but is mostly false. The first, most obvious explanation is that some people simply are obnoxious to start with. They push it down the road that they will be able to transition to that in their new group eventually. For example, I know someone that spent over a year studying almost every aspect of Orthodoxy, including many fathers of the Church and practically every nuance of both doctrine and history. For me, the one and only valid, core reason is because a person desires to be part of the one, true Body of Christ. Growing up in the Bible Belt, I was only ever exposed to Christian theology. Instead, Orthodoxy believes that the church stands above the Scriptures, which is why, as noted, Orthodox believers agree to "accept and understand Holy Scripture in accordance with the interpretation that was and is held by the Holy Orthodox Catholic Church of the East, our Mother." 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. Click for reprint information. In chrismation, performed immediately after rising from the baptismal waters, the priest anoints the infant with a special ointment, making the sign of the cross on various parts of the body, thus acknowledging the gift and seal of the Holy Spirit. If only you could get them to form two lines.). 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. Evangelicals urge the necessity of personal conversion through the faith and repentance of the individual believer, as opposed to the Orthodox idea of regeneration by the sacraments. The so-called Photian Schism brought this matter to a head. This is not just an explanation but an apology, and even an appreciation for the perseverance of friendship in the face of truly annoying behaviour. Fr. Rich worship taught the faith to literate and illiterate, peasant and emperor, and its essentially the same as our worship today. Orthodoxy's size alone warrants our attention, despite its invisibility on the cultural radar screens of most Americans. Because of my interest for eastern culture, negative views on catholicism (I live in a mostly catholic country) and protestantism and my fascisnation for the Orthodox Church, i decided to convert to just that. Hymns like these offer quite a theological education to anyone who comes to services, and if you didnt catch it all, theres a good chance theyre going to sing it two more times. Inherent in this claim, of course, is the charge that both Catholics and Protestants have lapsed from the true faith into error, if not outright heresy. Vladimir fled to his kinsman Haakon Sigurdsson, who ruled Norway at the time. For example, if a person goes through a great deal of hardship, sacrifice, and turmoil in order to join the Churchas in the case of former clergy in a different communion, or when ones family does not approvethey might feel that the Church owes them for converting. 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. Further, rote liturgy can stultify as well as edify, which is one reason why many people prefer more informal or personal worship settings. Small bodies of Orthodox believers exist in other places as "autonomous" but not "autocephalous" churches (Finland, Japan, former Czechoslovakia, etc.). How to Convert to Greek Orthodox Christianity Such a question cannot be answered through the use of dogmatic assertions or theoretical musings. Copyright 1997 Christianity Today. For we cannot forget that beauty (Envoys of the Russian Prince Vladimir, after experiencing the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Holy Wisdom in Constantinople in the year 987). One of the problems the Orthodox Church currently suffers in this country is a lack of converts. The Orthodox Church has suffered throughout her history. Conversions gradually transforming Orthodox Christianity July 26, 2019 By Fr. It is not about rules and regulations but rather guide posts to make choices to transition to what we were designed to become. I felt like Marco Polo. 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. That is, Orthodoxy's commitment to "right belief" provides a natural link to evangelical concerns. The percentage of foreign born Orthodox Christians is no larger than the percentage in the population at large. People often assume that most Jews by choice convert because they have a partner or spouse who is Jewish. The conversion of 2,000 evangelicals in 17 congregations "from Alaska to Atlanta" in 1987, recounted in Peter Gillquist's Becoming Orthodox, is only a small window into a larger phenomenon. My husband had been an Episcopal priest for 16 years, and we had gradually moved from evangelical-style "low church" to the more liturgically-fancy "high church." In the end, they concocted a list of reasons for not converting. And these prayers are jam-packed. The West used unleavened bread, the East did not. Young teens go through a few years when they are trying to understand their own unique identity, and trying to establish it in the face of well, it would be one thing if they had to establish it in the face of hostility, because, even though that would be hard, it would be bracing and clarifying. Baptism is the primary and fundamental basis of the entire Orthodox Christian life. How to Become an Orthodox Christian? But that cant be the case with me, so lets press on. For me it was due to the fact that papal supremacy is a later doctrine, yet I could not become a Protestant because the writings of the Fathers do not agree with Protestantism. Ask An Eastern Orthodox Christian: Conversion Process - SpokaneFVS