Such a question cannot be answered through the use of dogmatic assertions or theoretical musings. A person (who is searching within) goes through clerical education to explore questions. 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. An evangelical explores the ancient and alien world of the Eastern church. Although it is difficult to gather firm figures, worldwide Orthodox Christians number about 150 million, with 3 million in the U.S. alonemore than most evangelical denominations. In Protestantism there arose the doctrine of sola scriptura. Jerusalem, 260,000 Perhaps this unanticipated experience of encountering something unknown and marvelously organic accounts for the distinctive lapel-grabbing impulse among converts to Orthodoxy. Its that Orthodoxy still passes on the early churchs knowledge of how to tune in to the presence of Christ. Almost everyone around me was a Baptist. It depends on where you put the emphasis. In Catholicism this external dogmatic authority resides in the teaching magisterium of the church as expressed in the primacy and infallibility of the papacy. Those friends benefit, no doubt, from this opportunity to practice patience and long-suffering. Teachings of Orthodoxy. Small bodies of Orthodox believers exist in other places as "autonomous" but not "autocephalous" churches (Finland, Japan, former Czechoslovakia, etc.). John Meyendorff writes that "the Christian faith can in no way be compatible with the notion of sola scriptura." From the Orthodox perspective, both Catholics and Protestants seek to ground theological authority in an external norm. Intellectuals, like one of my students at Moscow University, often disdain Orthodoxy as a "medieval mentality." We are looking forward to our journey in the church. Calvin objected to the "tyranny of human tradition which is haughtily thrust upon us under the title of the Church." In the words of contemporary Orthodox theologian Thomas Hopko, "everything in the church flows out of the waters of baptism: the remission of sins and life eternal." I appreciate this articles use of blunt honesty! This is no archaic, dusty doctrine, either. Is the church made up of those who have been "regenerated" by infant baptism in an Orthodox church institution, or by those who have experienced new birth and been justified by grace through faith? Rather, "theosis" (literally, "deification"), or the progressive transformation of people into full likeness to God, in soul and body, takes center stage. Orthodox Christianity may be the o. 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. 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. Her name is right belief. It depends on where you put the emphasis. 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. 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. The East allowed some priests to marry, while the West required celibacy. They are the efficacious means by which God transmits his salvific and sanctifying grace to us. That vision is of the Living God revealed in Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of the Old Covenant, the life of the Faithful, the hope of the . Bauxite mining would threaten birds, plants, and clean water. As historians mostly suppose, Vladimir's turn to Orthodox Christianity was more about the improvement of Russians' connections with Christian states than about sentiments: for Rus, Byzantium. Differences over clerical beards, the tonsure, and fasting also exacerbated the growing deterioration of East-West unity. They saw this as a perception skill, something anyone could (with diligent practice) hone; it has nothing to do with emotion. But the impulse is to exaggerate the differences when you fear being hugged to death. Instagram | Eastern Christians would hear nothing of it. 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. Those who approach Orthodoxy looking for all their questions to be answered in a neat-and-tidy manner will be deeply disappointed, left rejecting the faith to which theyve only been shortly exposed. Rather, they are a source of revelation. 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.". I felt like Marco Polo. 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 ofwell, 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. They saw this as a perception skill, something anyone could (with diligent practice) hone; it has nothing to do with emotion. And these prayers are jam-packed. However, this is a mistaken viewpoint and can lead to the destruction of a persons faith. The Orthodox Faith / 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/. 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. 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. A wedding set o, Wedding Icon of Christ the Pantocrator (in Oklad /, A Handmade Bookcover For The Gospel. Whatever honor Protestants bestow upon tradition, they deny that its authority is coequal with Scripture. Put another way, we must invoke the spirit of irenic disagreement in the formula: "In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity." Like baptism, the Eucharist is administered to infants. Why would a Protestant Christian convert to Eastern 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. 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. Included in this liturgy is an anathema on all those who reject icons. 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. 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 the end, they concocted a list of reasons for not converting. 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. After five years or so in the Orthodox Church, Ive seen a lot of friends and acquaintances come home to the apostolic faith. The Orthodox Church is indelibly marked by the One who is its origin and source. 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. When celebrating the Eucharist, Catholics mixed the wine with water, while the Orthodox did not. 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. Home / 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. 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. Conversion may be unnecessary if you're open to a Reform wedding: Reform Judaism permits interfaith marriages, though roughly half of all Reform rabbis still abjure officiating at them. A priest can provide guidance and support to help converts discern whether the religion is right for them. John 17:14.16). And yet, not all of these journeys have worked out. 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." For Eastern Christians, this was yet another Roman encroachment upon their autonomy. At the beginning, I thought I knew what I was getting into. Orthodox Christians and some Eastern Catholics baptize by triple immersion upon invocation of the Trinity; the only time the Orthodox Church permits other forms of baptism is in the case of an emergency. Maybe you have to soak in it for years, till the evidence becomes overwhelming. She is conscious of being the true Church founded by Christ. As Philip said to Nathaniel, Come and see [John 1:46]. All Rights ReservedDesigned by Fr. Other times it is a youth group or Bible study group inspiring and educating. "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. If only you could get them to form two lines.). In the security of the Orthodox Church one finds peace, reassurance. July 2012 edited December 1969 in Coptic Orthodox Church As an Eastern Orthodox Christian, I am interested in finding out why all of you converts out there converted to the Coptic Orthodox Church, and not any one of the Eastern Orthodox Churches readily available in so many parts of the world. Pretty good. Your email address will not be published. See something we missed? 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. Forgetting early on that Orthodox worship is liturgical and cyclical (i.e. In 867, Patriarch Photius of Constantinople told other Christian patriarchs that the Rus' people were converting enthusiastically, but his efforts seem to have entailed no lasting consequences, since the Primary Chronicle and other Slavonic sources describe the tenth-century Rus' as still firmly entrenched in Slavic paganism. On another front, under the leadership of founder Bradley Nassif, the Society for the Study of Eastern Orthodoxy and Evangelicalism (SSEOE) holds meetings each fall at Wheaton College's Billy Graham Center for the sake of the two traditions learning from one another. Many non-Jews become "Jews by choice" because they're spiritual seekers. Orthodox spiritual life gives central prominence to the sacraments. In the 950s, Olga, the grandmother of Vladimir, was . 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. Bulgaria, 8 million It is not surprising they become disaffected and leave. Why should we welcome that? I had been to the east and discovered something wondrous that I assumed all Christians crave. A Aristocles Merarches Joined Apr 23, 2003 Messages 10,031 Reaction score 1 Points 0 Location Pittsburgh Aug 5, 2006 #4 Matthew777 said: The essence of it was to evangelize younger aristocrats, future leaders of the land. Despite efforts at reunification, to this day the Catholic and Orthodox churches remain estranged. Much like a divorce where numerous and complex problems fester for years and then coalesce around a single event, the defining moment for a distinctly Orthodox identity came with the Great Schism of 1054. Orthodox Sep 9, 2019 #1 For those who converted like myself, why did you? Rich worship taught the faith to literate and illiterate, peasant and emperor, and its essentially the same as our worship today. He made the decision to convert following his second marriage to actress Rita Wilson in.