While Protestant evangelicals have never agreed on the precise meaning or mode of the sacraments, they have historically emphasized two related truths that diverge from the Orthodox understanding of the sacraments. 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. Facebook | Two theological controversies drove the final wedge between Catholic and Orthodox Christians: papal supremacy and the so-called filioque controversy. If a richer liturgical life is what a believer wants, converting to Orthodoxy is hardly necessary. "I was A. 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. In the Orthodox calendar, the first Sunday of Lent celebrates the Triumph of Orthodoxy, a commemoration of the final triumph of icons in the long and bitter battle with the iconoclasts (literally, "image-smashers") on March 11, 843. 1:4). At a minimum, Protestants need to move beyond ignorance of these neighbors. But unlike the other two large branches of Christianity, which have spread throughout the developing world, Orthodoxy remains largely confined to Europe. People are attracted by the permanence of Orthodoxy. Why Converts to Christian Orthodoxy can be Obnoxious, People who've found their way back to Orthodoxy, Theophan the Recluse on Spiritual Practice. 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. 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. 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). In this video, Fr. 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 . Then the reality sets in. I had been to the east and discovered something wondrous that I assumed all Christians crave. But the impulse is to exaggerate the differences when you fear being hugged to death. The beauty and majesty of her liturgical services celebrating the majesty and mystery of God continue to be a major attraction to many seekers of a religious experience that transcends the mundane reality and elevates the spirit to the divine realm. Unfortunately most "Orthodox Christian" are nominal even despite their active presence they are nominal because they extinguish the Holy Spirit and do not have a relationship with God, they outwardly seem to be praying but like the Pharisee praise themselves for being 'good with God'. Anxious to avoid the siege of his capital, Basil II turned to the Rus' for assistance, even though they were considered enemies at that time. Not that every churchgoer is following that path, not that the church administration is perfect, but that the path still existedthats what amazed me. In fact, it promises a Cross and joining with Christ in both suffering and humiliation. Different Orthodox theories exist as to what, exactly, this means. Even more obnoxious, though, must be the tendency to reject hospitality. 2. Four important areas deserve ongoing dialogue. Protestant Christianity," Andrei went on, "is a cheap, terrible substitute, and an Orthodox believer who knows his own faith will never go there.". Baptism is the primary and fundamental basis of the entire Orthodox Christian life. As with liturgy, conversion to Orthodoxy is hardly a prerequisite for a renewed engagement with apostolic tradition. Yet, at times there are questions of conscience and matters of principle. For such a question presupposes a particular person's journey of faith. The Orthodox Church is indelibly marked by the One who is its origin and source. The Catalog of Good Deeds is the official blog of the Catalogue of St. Elisabeth Convent. Orthodoxy is true to the Lord, to herself and to her past. Along with Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, Orthodox Christianity is one of the world's three major Christian traditions. The other forms of tradition include the first seven ecumenical councils, which are acknowledged as normative and, by some, even infallible; patristic writings, especially those of the first four centuries; later councils; the Liturgy; canon law; and icons. When you are the only Norse guy and most of your lands are Slovianskian, it makes more sense to convert yourself than to convert them. Although my parents intentionally raised my brother and me without a focus on . Karmiris writes, "Scripture and Tradition are equally valid, possess equal dogmatic authority, and are equal in value as sources of dogmatic truth . Wynona doesn't indicate why the parish priest has done this, but it would appear from the context that the priest objects to her marrying an . The Orthodox Church has suffered throughout her history. I can remember that, after Id been Orthodox a few years, developing an increasing sense of tension or frustration. He promptly left Constantinople. If they are looking for an ethnic identity because they feel they have none. The Orthodox Church does not fit into the paradigms of modernity; it is not a wholly rational faith. As I realized what the big difference is,I grew more insistent, I'm afraid. Thatwould be interesting. Conversion is not only a matter of the intellect, but also of the heart. Over coffee one day I asked an Orthodox priest whether I, as a Protestant theologian, might be considered a true Christian. Orthodoxy knows where she stands, and she is in no need to re-define herself. But I slowly came to see that I cant communicate it. I will always remember my first visit to an Orthodox church in Russia. As the Body of Christ, the Church is a Divine-human organism, just as with the Person of Jesus Christ, the God-Man. Clickhereto learn more about the deeds we are talking of and to learn how you can become a part of our social ministry and help those in need. Georgia, 3 million Orthodoxy looked like taking that escalator up one more floor. In 858 Photius was appointed as Orthodoxy's new patriarch at Constantinople, replacing Ignatius, who had been exiled and later resigned his duties. Interesting comments. Unfortunately the Eastern organization is founded on control and power. 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. For employment at a seminary? Frederica Matthewes-Green reflects on how new converts to Orthodoxy can sometimes be overzealous. And during those years of discovery, my mind was constantly cranking away as I laboured to absorb new ideas and excise stubborn old ones. Why Convert to Orthodox Christianity? But whether a non-Orthodox person can even be saved is an open question in Orthodox ecclesiology. Russia, 50-85 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. Site Map | Writing a book on Eastern Orthodoxy and working through the manuscript with my Russian students helped me to compare Orthodoxy and Protestant evangelicalism. I appreciate this articles use of blunt honesty! Most people like to be polite and get along, so they highlight our commonalities. A person can read a dozen books on swimming, but that which he or she has read will not come alive until he or she actually gets into a pool. Christianity had, in fact, penetrated "Russia" by the early 900s, when at least one church had been built in the ancient city of Kiev. Questions & Answers / But Islam's conquest of this same area eventually isolated the Eastern Christians centered in Constantinople from their counterparts in the West centered in Rome. Rather, they are a source of revelation. Thats surely a factor, but I think theres something else going on, more specific to Orthodox converts. 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. Orthodox spiritual life gives central prominence to the sacraments. When the media seized on John Paul II's statement, they not only missed his main point, they missed a wider story. Orthodox Christianity has a rich tradition of meditation, of fasting, of praying, of giving alms. Wynona is a Catholic planning to marry an Orthodox man, but as she tells us, "my Catholic parish priest is not giving his consent for this marriage, so it will be held in an Orthodox church.". In addition, sizable Orthodox "diasporate" groups exist in Europe, North and South America, and Australia, typically under the jurisdiction of one of the thirteen patriarchates mentioned above. In Orthodoxy one encounters the eternal, unchangeable God. Sign up to receive a regular email newsletter from Fr. Becoming an Orthodox Christian is not easy, nor does it promise great happiness or success in this life. Scripture and tradition. 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? Thats surely a factor, but I think theres something else going on, more specific to Orthodox converts. The reason Orthodoxy is stable is because she is grounded in the truth. Applies to RCC too. Sara Villate, 10, by a menorah during Hanukkah. 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/. 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. 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. Your email address will not be published. Worse, they considered the interpolation to be theologically untrue and a threat to the doctrine of the Trinity. At times it can be a healing group especially during the Liturgical services in particular the Eucharist and the Holy Prayer Oil services. 3:15 ). We are looking forward to our journey in the church. 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. I hope so. But about this pursuit we can make several observations. Why did Kievan Rus convert to Orthodox Christianity? You may wish to call the parish priest in advance to introduce yourself and explain that you will be joining him and the faithful of his parish for the first time, although this is not absolutely essential. Second, Christian theology perfectly explained why Jesus, who was also called a prophet, was worthy of worship. 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. Submitted by Fr. I've chosen Oriental Orthodoxy over the Byzantine Church because I believe that ours is closer in doctrine and liturgy to the earliest Christians. After that, Orthodoxy is by far the best possible choice of religion for Russia because of Byzantium. So why should someone desire to join the Orthodox Church? My husband had been an Episcopal priest for 16 years, and we had gradually moved from an evangelical-style low church to the more liturgically-fancy high church. Orthodoxy looked like taking that escalator up one more floor. Yeah, I think Ive gotten it out of my system. The blog includes recent news and ministry updates of the Convent, as well as other information about Orthodox Christianity that may be useful to those who are either making their first steps in church or want to learn something new about our faith. 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,. Administered to infants who are fully immersed three times, baptism effects the "bath of regeneration" by which a person is born again, wholly cleansed from both original and actual sins, and, consequently, saved from guilt and punishment. 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. More than 70 percent of the roughly 75,000 Antiochian Orthodox Christians in the United States are converts. Religion became a state of the Roman Empire, and Christianity became an enormous and influential religion nationwide. Well, was it so? 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. A wedding set o, Wedding Icon of Christ the Pantocrator (in Oklad /, A Handmade Bookcover For The Gospel. 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. John A. Peck, The Apostolic Mission of Journey To Orthodoxy. Handcarved 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?. * In the first place, Christians believed Jesus to be the true God rather than a semi-god. 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. And while they are just beginning to recover, he says, Protestants invade, with all their Western resources, and attempt to draw away the very people the Russian Orthodox Church is attempting to nurture in the faith. 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. already I have lost many people I thought were friends but so be it! Buddhists fast, pray, and give alms. 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. In the East the local parish priest could administer the sacrament of confirmation; in the West only the bishop could. Also, people should not join the Church in the hopes of solidifying an identity they have in the first place. The final declaration of the Second Ecumenical Council of Nicea (787) that ratified the use of icons appealed to the "written and unwritten" tradition of the early church. During my four years as a visiting professor at Moscow State University (1991-95) I often felt schizophrenic. Preeminent among the sacraments are baptism and the Eucharist. Twitter | its the same every year, year after year), it soon becomes familiar, and perhaps even boring for some. 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. * Poland, 1 million Essential for clergy to pray together, to talk, and to encourage one another in Christ? There are no doubt some ways that he is the same person he will always be, and there are ways Orthodoxy and every other church has significant points in common, not least that we love the same Lord. Becoming Orthodox means being willing to submit to the Church and Her bishops, who might not be interested in ordaining you. ), since the Reformation, justification by faith and substitutionary atonement have enjoyed pride of place in our understanding of the doctrines of sin and salvation. Its not something you can figure out by studying the Church Fathers. Included in this liturgy is an anathema on all those who reject icons. Albania, 160,000. Some have even ended in apostasy. With Gossip of the Gospel, the Church Grows in Nepal, After Pushing for UMC Unity, Former Bishop Joins New Denomination, Christian Conservationists Sue to Protect Ghana Forest, Complete access to articles on ChristianityToday.com, Over 120 years of magazine archives plus full access to all of CTs online archives. 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. In an encyclical letter of 1848, the Eastern patriarchs stated this most emphatically: "Infallibility resides solely in the ecumenicity of the church bound together by mutual love. Bulgaria, 8 million Click for reprint information. Clearly this stability is found in no other church. 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. There is an organic quality here, and the thing itself is inexpressibly alive. A person (who is searching within) goes through clerical education to explore questions. In other words, one cannot embrace Orthodox Christianity without embracing Orthodox Christians. 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." For church membership? Underneath were written the Greek words en toutoi nika, "In this sign, conquer." (Of course, for every person insisting that there were no differences, there was another person asking me to explain the differences. Jerusalem, 260,000 I had been to the east and discovered something wondrous that I assumed all Christians crave. A second theory is that converts of any sort have a tendency to exuberance that is wearying to outsiders. Moreover, evangelicals have some important lessons to learn from Orthodoxy. 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." 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. In Catholicism this external dogmatic authority resides in the teaching magisterium of the church as expressed in the primacy and infallibility of the papacy. Home / Before you start the process of converting, you will want to speak with a priest in the Greek Orthodox Church. 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. No doubt, I felt at home when first attending the Divine Liturgy, but this was after months of study and discussion with other Orthodox people. All Rights ReservedDesigned by Fr. Those friends benefit, no doubt, from this opportunity to practice patience and long-suffering. 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. But perhaps our theology of the church is too "low," much lower than our Protestant forebears would have it. 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. Cerularius condemned Humbert and entreated Orthodox believers to "flee the fellowship of those who have accepted the heretical Latins." 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. It doesnt matter how long they have served, or how extensive their education. Thus, while the Protestant principle of sola scriptura places Scripture above tradition, for Orthodoxy the two are complementary means of one organic whole through which the Spirit of God speaks. And I would try hard, no doubt to the point of rudeness, to convince them this was not so. 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. For any convert, it's a spiritual, intense, and private process,. 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. This conception lessens the validity and value of the Holy Scriptures as the primary source of Christian dogma." 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. The first four enjoy special honor due to their antiquity. Sizable groups of the Russian population are disenchanted with Orthodoxy for a number of reasons. But the human warts of where they are at and continuing searching within causes them to look elsewhere. This perspective presupposes a defective Christologyone that fails to account for the anthropos of the theanthropic (Divine-human) Church. Telegram | Join our newsletter to get the most interesting articles on spiritual issues and learn about the recent news from St. Elisabeth Convent. 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. He made the decision to convert following his second marriage to actress Rita Wilson in. The numbers are staggering! It is often wrongly assumed that Orthodoxy . 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. Two points that have been hallmarks of evangelical identity deserve special scrutiny: the relationship between Scripture and tradition, and the relationship between Scripture and the church. Suspicion and recrimination have often characterized relationships between Eastern Orthodoxy and Western Protestantism. Required fields are marked *. This woode, Christ (Wedding Icon in Textile Oklad) Excellent comment Kosmas, I totally concur. It is precisely this view that elevates Scripture above the church and actually encourages private interpretation that the Orthodox theologian Georges Florovsky once called "the sin of the Reformation.". To support our efforts, join us as a member . A Christian representation of Vladimir I, who was the first Rus' leader to officially bring Christianity to the region. He sailed to Greenland with a priest to convert the people. Linguistic factors posed other, very practical problems. Before long, in Reformation churches the sermon had replaced the Eucharist as the defining moment of the liturgy. (Of course, for every person insisting that there were no differences, there was another person asking me to explain the differences. 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. Q&A: A closer look at Orthodox Christians. However, I do think that there are certain factors that influence and even cause these abandonments and apostasies from the one, true Church. There are no doubt some ways that he is the same person he will always be, and there are ways Orthodoxy and every other church has significant points in common, not least that we love the same Lord. Learn About the Religion. She has offered more martyrs in the twentieth century under communism than most churches have members. By the end of the sixth century, neither group could speak the other's language. 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. Despite efforts at reunification, to this day the Catholic and Orthodox churches remain estranged. Eastern Christians would hear nothing of it. It depends on where you put the emphasis. Emmanuel Hatzidakis | January 19, 2013. The sum of all parts wont add to the total. When you convert, you must verbalize your commitment to live in accordance with all of the Torah 's commandments as they are explained in Torah law. This is no archaic, dusty doctrine, either. Orthodoxy's size alone warrants our attention, despite its invisibility on the cultural radar screens of most Americans. The Orthodox Church is the only Church, originally founded by Christ and still retaining the apostolic succession and the undistorted teaching of the Lord and . These groups mostly came over willingly. I felt like Marco Polo. He states that in Gaul, before setting out towards Rome, Constantine and his army saw a great cross in the sky. Everyone associates Orthodox worship with sensory richness, but its also rich in theological content. 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. I have read many things on the internet, as well as a number of books about the Churchs faith, worship and history. Her name is "right belief". Each of them had his idiosyncrasies, and they regularly disagree. (2 Pet. It was like seeing a face emerge from a random pattern of dots, and then wink at you. Heres a clue to a third possibility. Step Two: Repentance There is no salvation without repentance. And for Orthodoxy, this argument from holy tradition is of great significance. Cyprus, 450,000 It also must be noted that embracing the faith involves a running to Christ and His Church as the Ark of Salvation, rather than a running away from somethingother than sin. Hope this helps, and hope that your journey to Orthodoxy is filled with every blessing. Her allegiance to the perennial truths of Christianity is appreciated by sincere seekers.

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