why convert to orthodox christianity

Why are Russian people (mostly) Orthodox Christians? There is a certain chemistry involved, which one cannot so easily verbalize. 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. Becoming an Orthodox Christian is not easy, nor does it promise great happiness or success in this life. On the other hand, there are cases where a person rejects the Church for what I would consider to be erroneous reasons. Her allegiance to the perennial truths of Christianity is appreciated by sincere seekers. A Aristocles Merarches Joined Apr 23, 2003 Messages 10,031 Reaction score 1 Points 0 Location Pittsburgh Aug 5, 2006 #4 Matthew777 said: "I was A. Converting to Orthodoxy. (Some within Orthodoxy say there are 15, but this is a minor, internal debate.) Disclaimers, Amon Sl Tolkien & Orthodox Christianity, 5 Differences: Orthodoxy & Roman Catholicism, 5 Differences: Orthodoxy & Evangelicalism, The Equal of Martyrdom: Fr. Russian priest explains why westerners are converting to Orthodox Why do people convert to Orthodoxy? Why People Convert to Orthodoxy The Orthodox Church has suffered throughout her history. What was the foreign policy of Yaroslav the Wise? Not to be outdone, the Orthodox could respond in kind. The Biblical Basis for Holy Tradition., 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. If a richer liturgical life is what a believer wants, converting to Orthodoxy is hardly necessary. 12 Reasons Why I Became and/or Remain an Orthodox Christian The basic theological impetus for the ever-virginity of Mary (besides the fact that it is presumably historically true and would have been passed down from the early days of the church) is the fact that Mary was profoundly sanctified by her role as the living sanctuary in which God dwelled (quite literally) for nine months and from whom he I sincerely wish to know everyone's reasons for converting to Orthodoxy. What are we to make, for example, of the Orthodox liturgy in Russia today, which is recited in ninth-century Slavonic, a language very few Russians even understand? Orthodoxy attracts seekers with her other-worldliness, with her holiness, with her worship, with her services and sacraments, with the form and content of her religious expression, with her iconography, with her chanting, with her mysticism, with her monasticism, with her life between heaven and earth. One feels that the Church is not just a worldly organization, but a divine-human organism. Surely there is enough evangelistic work for everyone. But perhaps our theology of the church is too "low," much lower than our Protestant forebears would have it. De Maistre, Billington says, was "convinced that Russia was an instrument chosen by Providence for the salvation of Europe." He was "fascinated by the possibility of converting this vast land to Catholicism." He launched a program towards that end. The pairing of both secular groups with the Orthodox in a religious freedom case is rare they have frequently been on opposite sides on church-state separation issues such as same-sex marriage . 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. 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." Four important areas deserve ongoing dialogue. we'll be happy to answer it! Twitter | Second, in biblical interpretation the Reformers placed the Scriptures above the church. Here is an overview of the steps you can take to convert to Orthodox Christianity: Talk With an Orthodox Priest. We knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth, for surely there is no such splendor or beauty anywhere upon earth. 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. Orthodoxy insists tenaciously on the role of tradition which is her very life and builds upon its past, without revisions. Before you start the process of converting, you will want to speak with a priest in the Greek Orthodox Church. He mentions one Church, not many. Why I Didn't Convert to Eastern Orthodoxy - Catholic Culture Lol. As I realized what the big difference is,I grew more insistent, I'm afraid. Clearly this stability is found in no other church. In fact, much of what is basic to Christianity: the nature, sources, and interpretation of God's revelation to us, the meaning of the church and its sacraments, the doctrines of sin and salvation, and even how one enters the kingdom of God. But the claim to be Christ's one, true church remains the clear Orthodox position. Converting to Orthodoxy : r/OrthodoxChristianity By joining Orthodoxy one inherits a theological package that includes central elements that have traditionally troubled many Protestant evangelicals and omits doctrines many evangelicals consider nonnegotiable essentials of vital Christianity. Your email address will not be published. I've chosen Oriental Orthodoxy over the Byzantine Church because I believe that ours is closer in doctrine and liturgy to the earliest Christians. Becoming Orthodox means being willing to submit to the Church and Her bishops, who might not be interested in ordaining you. The reality of the difficulty of living the Orthodox life then bubbles up, and apostasy from exhaustion is a real risk. This doesnt mean we shun catechesis, but just that its not always done in the same way everywhereand where it exists, its likely different from what a catechumen might expect or even hope. Kate Forbes is young, smart, a woman (in the actual sense of the word), but fatally, an orthodox Christian seeking the top office in the land. After five years or so in the Orthodox Church, Ive seen a lot of friends and acquaintances come home to the apostolic faith. It was like seeing a face emerge from a random pattern of dots, and then wink at you. Liturgically, the Orthodox ethos of a formal worship setting will attract some Christians, but to many other vibrant movements within evangelicalism it will have little if any appeal. Receive updates and announcements from Orthodox Witness. Nicholas Kim. All Rights ReservedDesigned by Fr. 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. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. The Vikings' Conversion to Christianity - Norse Mythology for Smart Not that every churchgoer is following that path, not that the church administration is perfect, but that the path still existed thats what amazed me. The Orthodox Church does not fit into the paradigms of modernity; it is not a wholly rational faith. The church. Granny and Pops and Uncle Pete love the little guy, and theyre going to be kindly and patient with him because hes going through a phase. Calvin objected to the "tyranny of human tradition which is haughtily thrust upon us under the title of the Church." 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. Orthodoxy is true to the Lord, to herself and to her past. There are other problems as well: overlapping jurisdictions, lack of communication across jurisdictional lines, and a tendency to isolate ourselves from communities in which we live. ), since the Reformation, justification by faith and substitutionary atonement have enjoyed pride of place in our understanding of the doctrines of sin and salvation. She has offered more martyrs in the twentieth century under communism than most churches have members. 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. The Orthodox Church in America, with roots in Moscow and about 85,000 adherents . 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. Underneath were written the Greek words en toutoi nika, "In this sign, conquer." As a young convert to Orthodox Christianity myself, I can testify that confession and Communion have filled my life meaning and have directed me when I have felt lost. The Puritan John Foxe, for example, insisted that "God conducted the Reformation by printing, writing, and reading." 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. 2. 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. By the end of the sixth century, neither group could speak the other's language. Telegram | It is not surprising they become disaffected and leave. St. Theophan The Recluse On Spiritual Practice. Your firstand subsequent visitswill help you to discern that to which the Lord is calling you. 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. Instead, an adolescent has to figure out and establish his adult persona in the face of affection. Orthodoxy, advocates suggest, reveals and corrects evangelical reductionism and superficiality. As we said, conversion is a love affair. At the beginning, I thought I knew what I was getting into. The thesis that Eastern Orthodoxy is the true religion was turning out to bear the practical corollary that, to share fully and fruitfully in the life of the Body of Christ, one would almost have. It took me a few years to sense that there was a whole other something going on. Wow, like it very much. For Eastern Christians, this was yet another Roman encroachment upon their autonomy. They become clergy in their group. "We are Orthodox because (we) follow the same laws like in other Orthodox communities in the world," explains Meyer Sanchez, assistant to a rabbi in Medelln. But this really begs another question: "Essential" for what? Well, was it so? The collapse of the Roman Empire created a power vacuum that was increasingly filled by the growing power of the Roman papacy. The move was far more than geographic. Are you sure you heard the Meaning of Christmas? Why Convert To Islam? - The American Conservative It makes no appeal to a doctrine of transubstantiation and instead simply affirms the mystery. Sdn Tim Grace unveils the surprising message of Christmas. Contact | In this wonderful, 4-minute video, Fr. Why Would A Protestant Christian Convert to Eastern Orthodox - YouTube She is committed to the same, unchanging, absolute truth. In this Orthodox view, Scripture stands within rather than above the church, and to distinguish its authority from that of the church is a mistake of method. 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. Then B. In 978, Vladimir returned to . Why do People Convert to Orthodox Christianity? - Orthodox Witness Legislation pending in Russia, for example, could, if implemented, curtail Western missionary enterprises. Needless to say, Rome was indignant; not until the Lateran Council of 1215 did it acknowledge the status of Constantinople. (2 Pet. Everyone associates Orthodox worship with sensory richness, but its also rich in theological content. My ideas havent changed, and Im always glad for a good discussion, but maybe Im past the need to belabor them. Cerularius condemned Humbert and entreated Orthodox believers to "flee the fellowship of those who have accepted the heretical Latins." A radical conversion to Christianity. This woode, Christ (Wedding Icon in Textile Oklad) What Scripture proclaims by word, the icon proclaims by color. Conversion means belief and acceptance in Jesus Christ, the God-man, as the Savior of the world. More than 70 percent of the roughly 75,000 Antiochian Orthodox Christians in the United States are converts. Icons are absolutely central to Orthodoxy, distinguishing it from both Catholicism and Protestantism. In the East the local parish priest could administer the sacrament of confirmation; in the West only the bishop could. Writing a book on Eastern Orthodoxy and working through the manuscript with my Russian students helped me to compare Orthodoxy and Protestant evangelicalism. Further, rote liturgy can stultify as well as edify, which is one reason why many people prefer more informal or personal worship settings. Thumb through Calvin's Institutes or a volume of John Wesley's Works and you will see our Protestant forebears thoroughly engaged with patristic tradition. Now, I dont share all of this in order to dissuade anyone from becoming a catechumen, but rather to encourage those who are on such a journeyor who have strayed away from one that began on the wrong foot. Today 23 percent of all Orthodox Christians in the United Statesabout one in fourare converts, as are 30 percent of the clergy and 43 percent of seminarians. Rather, they are a source of revelation. The true details behind her As former Campus Crusade staff member Gillquist put it, why have so many "Bible-believing, blood-bought, Gospel-preaching, Christ-centered, lifelong evangelical Protestants come to embrace this Orthodox faith so enthusiastically?" Not that every churchgoer is following that path, not that the church administration is perfect, but that the path still existedthats what amazed me. Even before entering the church one is taken aback by the unusual architecture-the glittering gold onion domes that sparkle like diamonds on a sunny day. Why Converts to Christian Orthodoxy can be Obnoxious So You Want to Convert to Judaism? It's Not That Easy I cant be the only one to have done this. Becoming Orthodox is not a conversion but more so a transformation of self. Even more obnoxious, though, must be the tendency to reject hospitality. Now let's hear from Frederica. 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. In the security of the Orthodox Church one finds peace, reassurance. This gives strength and spiritual joy to her members, true to the Lords words, Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Mt. Persons wishing to become Orthodox of their own free volition, without any direct or indirect pressure from anyone, should firstly meet with a Priest of the Church. Orthodoxy, in contrast, is a thoroughly aesthetic tradition, as attested by the central role played by icons. The priest censes them and elevates them in processions. . Rather, Orthodoxy affirms a single source of revelation, holy tradition, of which Scripture is the preeminent among several forms. Instagram | Or again, it is one thing to guard the doctrine of sola scriptura, but quite another to ignore or disdain two thousand years of tradition; surely there is a dangerous arrogance in imagining that we do not need to listen to the wealth of biblical wisdom from the patristic writers. A second theory is that converts of any sort have a tendency to exuberance that is wearying to outsiders. Share your feedback here. Orthodoxy has always affirmed that Peter was the "first among equals" (primus inter pares) ; but unlike Roman Catholics, the Orthodox have always denied that he held any "primacy of power" (primatus potestatis). There is an organic quality here, and the thing itself is inexpressibly alive. How Christianity Came to Ukraine and Russia | Christian History Suspicion and recrimination have often characterized relationships between Eastern Orthodoxy and Western Protestantism. Those who will guide you through your period of instruction and formation surely will help you in this regard. Well, was it so? Ignatius's followers, however, refused to acknowledge the transition, and eventually both Ignatius and Photius appealed to Pope Nicholas (858-67) in Rome. My Conversion from Islam to Orthodoxy - ORTHODOX CHEYENNE It was electrifying. Because their focus for years was on their theological education (which they may still be paying for) often they end up in a low wage job that they don't love. I appreciate this articles use of blunt honesty! The ex clergy thing I think is very real. 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. In this video, Fr. 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. Differences over clerical beards, the tonsure, and fasting also exacerbated the growing deterioration of East-West unity. To the extent, however, one could intellectualize the reasons for converting, he or she would probably summarize them along these lines: In our ever-changing world, in the constant re-design of services and re-evaluation of beliefs, Orthodoxy stands as a mountain of granite, unshakable by fads and movements and political correctness. Why Converts to Christian Orthodoxy Are So Obnoxious by Frederica Put another way, we must invoke the spirit of irenic disagreement in the formula: "In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity." In the dystopian film,Children of Mendirected by Alfonso Cuarn, a world is imagined in the future where no more children are born, and, as the decades pass, humanity is plunged into despair. People are attracted by the permanence of Orthodoxy. For example, it is understandable that evangelicals feel that the Orthodox doctrine of the church is too "high." Why would a Protestant Christian convert to Eastern Orthodox Christianity? 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,. It is not always easy to advance strong arguments for these conversions. In Russia, the largest figure usually cited for the Orthodox Church is 85 million people (some estimates are as low as 50 million), which means 100 million Russiansmore than half the countryare not affiliated with Orthodoxy. But the little guy is not going through a phase. PDF The Conversion of Vladimir the Great to Orthodox Christianity Yes, because clearly a Christian is the most honest person to talk about the inner thoughts of atheists . For the past year or so I have been considering conversion to Orthodox Christianity. Then C" The strengths of a group draws them but after a while the weaknesses bubble up. What Do I Need to Do to Become Greek Orthodox? - Greek Boston The essence of it was to evangelize younger aristocrats, future leaders of the land. Such a question cannot be answered through the use of dogmatic assertions or theoretical musings. Why isn't everyone christian? : r/Christianity 3:15). Worshipers prostrate themselves before them and kiss them. Why Are There So Many Curses and Cruelties In The Psalms? We cannot describe it to you: only this we know, that God dwells there among men, and that their service surpasses the worship of all other places. Thus Luther once wrote, "What else do I contend for but to bring everyone to an understanding of the difference between the divine Scripture and human teaching or custom?" The Orthodox Church is indelibly marked by the One who is its origin and source. 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." I can remember, after Id been Orthodox a few years, developing an increasing sense of tension or frustration. Orthodoxy allows divorce in some conditions if I'm not mistaken, and it would have been an easier transition to switch to another powerful church (and become friendly with Russia, etc.). But why is our kind so characteristically obnoxious? But that cant be the case with me, so lets press on. During my four years as a visiting professor at Moscow State University (1991-95) I often felt schizophrenic. 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. This is particularly notable in the mid-1st century, when the circumcision controversy came to the fore. For church membership? At a minimum, Protestants need to move beyond ignorance of these neighbors. Thatwould be interesting. In the first place, Christians believed Jesus to be the true God rather than a semi-god. Protestant Christianity," Andrei went on, "is a cheap, terrible substitute, and an Orthodox believer who knows his own faith will never go there.". If you have a specific question about Orthodox Christianity or the Orthodox Church in America, John Meyendorff writes that "the Christian faith can in no way be compatible with the notion of sola scriptura." After being dunked in this sea of hymnography for a few years I began to recognize an underlying unity among all the elements of Orthodoxythe worship, the fasting, the exhortations to humility, the companionship of the saints, all of it. They saw this as a perception skill, something anyone could (with diligent practice) hone; it has nothing to do with emotion. 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. So Christianity would not have been completely alien to the Rus, and even Vladimir's grandmother, Olga, would become enamored with Christianity. One can find Orthodox statements that ascribe a unique authority to Scripture over tradition, but these are few and far between, and they speak of tradition in a narrower than usual sense. 0. For example, on the Feast of the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, the chanter launches into this: Of the Father before the morning star Thou wast begotten from the womb without mother before all ages, even though Arius did believe Thee to be created, not God, classing Thee in ignorance and impudence with creatures. The last reason Orthodox converts are obnoxious resembles the reason adolescents are obnoxious. In Catholicism this external dogmatic authority resides in the teaching magisterium of the church as expressed in the primacy and infallibility of the papacy. It is not a religion but rather a way of life. Affectionate attempts to obscure this quest feel suffocating. The reason Orthodoxy is stable is because she is grounded in the truth. It was electrifying. Different Orthodox theories exist as to what, exactly, this means. For taking Communion together? Christimates 1 day ago. Women and men who marry into the Orthodox Jewish faith are required to convertand both genders follow an identical process. While the Church is certainly Divine in one respect, She is also comprised of human beingshuman beings that can, and do, err. Why did you convert to Orthodoxy? | OrthodoxChristianity.net 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. 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. It doesnt matter how long they have served, or how extensive their education. The Orthodox Churches share with the other Christian Churches the belief that God revealed himself in Jesus Christ, and a belief in the incarnation of Christ, his crucifixion and resurrection. She is the Church of martyrs. Orthodox Christianity has a rich tradition of being mindful. 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. And such a journey can only be spoken of from experience. Why I Converted from Orthodoxy - Clarifying Catholicism 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. Because we confess and believe in the one holy, catholic and apostolic Church, this means we are not looking for a Church that fits our own preferences and ideals, but rather one that teaches us what our preferences should be. Harakas asked. One finds that the Orthodox Church is indeed the pillar and foundation of the truth (1 Tim. Thats surely a factor, but I think theres something else going on, more specific to Orthodox converts. She is conscious of being the true Church founded by Christ. Greece, 9 million Indeed, what Protestant converts to Orthodoxy have often sought is not only a conscious continuity with the historic, apostolic past, but also a richer experience of God's majesty and mystery through a more liturgical worship setting. Despite efforts at reunification, to this day the Catholic and Orthodox churches remain estranged. And for Orthodoxy, this argument from holy tradition is of great significance. During those years of discovery I labored to absorb new ideas and excise stubborn old ones. A second theory is that converts of any sort have a tendency to exuberance that is wearying to outsiders. Copyright 19962023. But every church must have its distinctives, or wed all be in the same church. There is not going to be a restored "Celtic" Orthodoxy or "Anglo-Saxon" Orthodoxy. its the same every year, year after year), it soon becomes familiar, and perhaps even boring for some. Why have so many Evangelical ministers embraced the Orthodox faith? Get the best from CT editors, delivered straight to your inbox! Cyprus, 450,000 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. As if this were not quite enough, during the Fourth Crusade, Western forces stormed Constantinople in 1204 and ransacked the Church of the Holy Wisdom, an unimaginable act of desecration from the viewpoint of Orthodoxy. Originally the creed read that the Holy Spirit proceeded "from the Father"; a later Western interpolation (why, where, and by whom are not known), ratified at the Council of Toledo (589), added filioque to indicate that the Spirit proceeded from the Father "and the Son."

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