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We do Christmas morning and it seems very important to my priest that Christmas be about God first. He isn’t willing to make it more convenient for families to on gifts Christmas morning.

I am not suggesting that we should have female altar boys (and my parish absolutely doesn't). My point is that what happened in Russia in the past, or what happens there now, is not the standard by which we can determine what the "right" way to do things is. And yeah, when covering your hair is...

You know - my priest's dad was also a priest and his mom hung out in circles with St. John of Kronstadt. He says that his mother claimed head covering was not a thing that was emphasized or required in Russia at that time, and she even saw female acolytes. So trying to get parishes to do it...

Some of the Arabs in my parish say this same thing.

FYI the Catholics are not ok with their members taking communion in other churches, and they limit the Eucharist to those Catholics who are in a "state of grace," which, according to them means you have confessed and received absolution for all mortal sins and committed no new ones before...

If you were to convert to Orthodoxy you would end up with a different understanding about the communion you've been receiving from the Lutherans. My suggestion is to just visit a few times with an open mind and go from there. You don't have to be committed to converting to come and see.

This depends on the church. Some have actual classes, and in some you just work with the priest. I didn't take any classes, but I did a lot of reading (both on my own and what my priest told me to read), had semi regular meetings with the priest, and attended as many services as I could in order...

I'm not trying to downplay the importance of the Eucharist. You're right, it's a huge deal. But the Eucharist is a reflection of us all being one. Just as we receive the body of Christ, we also *are* the body of Christ. That needs to be a reality for all of us who share communion, and that is...

Well if you're just interested in seeing the ancient Church doing its thing you can certainly attend as many services as you'd like and check us out. We would love to see you visit and see what we are all about. But see, for us, being part of the Church is a lot more than "being able to take...

You were confirmed in Catholicism, did you have to take classes before that can happen? If you were an adult I assume you took RCIA. The process in Orthodoxy is usually less formal than that, if you're looking for a comparison, but you need to have enough time and education to know what you're...

Just because I am very literal minded I want to make it clear, I did not actually say anything foul. I was referring to this plant and the auto censor decided that was a naughty word.

Hah! That is hilarious!

Incense, candles, prayer rope, Bible, holy water, prayer books and book of the hours & the psalter. Also palm branches & [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] willows, flowers from the tomb, etc. The blessed stuff that accumulates over the course of the year.

I wasn't disparaging you! I hope it didn't come across that way.

Looks like St. Francis of Assisi to me (not an Orthodox saint)... but I could be wrong. I think I had that same holy card "back in the day."

I know this isn't gonna go over well here, but just FYI not every Orthodox Christian or even every Orthodox priest agrees with the notion that all birth control is forbidden. I know at least one priest who says that this is something converts tend to bring in and focus on, but it is actually a...

I don't know - my son was baptized last year on the first Sunday of Great Lent, but I was surprised at the time because I had some notion that this was the rule. I did not ask questions, though, because I was just thrilled to have him in the church!

I am pretty sure my priest would approve of this practice... :)

You know, Christ says that if someone repents we should forgive them, and if they say, "I repent" you should forgive them. I have heard my priest say that forgiveness is when we are able to love someone as we love ourselves again. I don't mean to say that simply saying we forgive when we don't...

May God forgive. Forgive me. :)