Hey, I can see why your Orthodox priest wants you to take it slow.
Maybe your father will convert and become an Orthodox Priest if you can be patient and pray for him.
__________________ Virgin Theotokos, rejoice!
O Mary, Full of Grace;
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb,
For thou hast borne the Savior of our souls.
+ + + + +
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Glory Forever!
O Giver of Life, Glory to Thee!
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Ask your priest about any recommended reading you do.
Mine told me to avoid any works by Frankie Schaeffer.
If your priest agrees, placing The Mountain of Silence
on the coffee table may prove interesting. The nuns
at St. Barbara Monastery recommend that book.
Many have been converted through it because it
answers the questions of skeptics.
Does your father believe in the ordination of women and
of those who live the active gay lifestyle?
If he opposes that aberration, then he may be close to
converting and maybe the priest senses that.
We must then, pray for your dad, because he is probably
really struggling inside. If you convert, maybe it may wreck
his ultimate and secret plans to convert his parish.
Anyway, does he know Father John Fenton, who recently
converted from the Episcopal Church to Orthodoxy?
Again, trust your priest.
My prayers for your family and for the parish your father
pastors.
In Christ,
Maria
__________________ Virgin Theotokos, rejoice!
O Mary, Full of Grace;
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb,
For thou hast borne the Savior of our souls.
+ + + + +
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Glory Forever!
O Giver of Life, Glory to Thee!
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
What is their main argument? Or is it simply because they want you to be Episcopalian also?
In Christ,
Michael
they have a few issues:
1. closed communion. i used to have an issue with this too but i am beginning to understand it better
2. non-ordination of women. i really don't have as big an issue with this. my dad thinks that religion should reflect the culture, but i disagree
3. they think it's nationalistic. i can kind of see why they think this because there's a huge Russian population back near my hometown, but that's defintely not the case here in PA.
4. Ecumenism. my dad can kind of understand the Orthodox not wanting to participate in ecumenical church services my community had once a year, but it seems like they don't even want to participate in any joint community service projects, such as the Crop Walk. again, the church i go to here in PA doesn't seem to have a problem with it.
5. they also think that i haven't had enough "experience" with Orthodox churches since i've only been to two. this upsets me because i would rather be chrismated by a priest who actually knows me well, otherwise i'd feel like i'd have to start all over again. or something.
there are a few more but i can't remember them now. i guess i'm also afraid of how my parents will feel when they find out i actually disagree with them on some religious matters.
both my parents converted to episcopalianism, so i think they'd be a bit more sympathetic.
they have a few issues:
1. closed communion. i used to have an issue with this too but i am beginning to understand it better
2. non-ordination of women. i really don't have as big an issue with this. my dad thinks that religion should reflect the culture, but i disagree
3. they think it's nationalistic. i can kind of see why they think this because there's a huge Russian population back near my hometown, but that's defintely not the case here in PA.
4. Ecumenism. my dad can kind of understand the Orthodox not wanting to participate in ecumenical church services my community had once a year, but it seems like they don't even want to participate in any joint community service projects, such as the Crop Walk. again, the church i go to here in PA doesn't seem to have a problem with it.
5. they also think that i haven't had enough "experience" with Orthodox churches since i've only been to two. this upsets me because i would rather be chrismated by a priest who actually knows me well, otherwise i'd feel like i'd have to start all over again. or something.
there are a few more but i can't remember them now. i guess i'm also afraid of how my parents will feel when they find out i actually disagree with them on some religious matters.
both my parents converted to episcopalianism, so i think they'd be a bit more sympathetic.
I do not think these issues are something that cannot be worked through in my opinion.
as far as closed communion- this is something that the Church takes very seriously. We believe that we truly partake of the Blood & Body of Christ. I'm not sure what background they converted from- but I came from a protestant background which saw communion as merely a symbol. There was nothing sacred or holy about it. So you have to understand someone like that is not going to appreciate what is actually taking place. I'm not sure what the Episcopol church believes as far as the Eucharist.
Chapter 66 of Justin Martyr's First Apology [A.D. 148]
And this food is called among us Εὐχαριστία [the Eucharist], of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined. For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Saviour, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh. For the apostles, in the memoirs composed by them, which are called Gospels, have thus delivered unto us what was enjoined upon them; that Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, said, This do in remembrance of Me, Luke 22:19 this is My body; and that, after the same manner, having taken the cup and given thanks, He said, This is My blood; and gave it to them alone. Which the wicked devils have imitated in the mysteries of Mithras, commanding the same thing to be done. For, that bread and a cup of water are placed with certain incantations in the mystic rites of one who is being initiated, you either know or can learn.
I suggest doing as much research on the things they have issues with and find out why things in the Orthodox Church are the way they are. That way you can defend yourself when questioned. Not to sound cheesy, but "knowledge is power!"
basically, he wants me to make sure i know what i am doing and why i'm doing it. that's why he wants me to wait.
he pointed out some episcopal eucharistic prayers that are actually from the liturgy of st. james, and that if i don't like modern cultural influences in church then there are some very traditional episcopal churches out there that i might like to attend.
he also explained that for him, closed communion would be the biggest personal issue since neither of us would be able to take communion when our family goes to church together anymore.
and he doesn't understand how the feminist in me can attend a church that does not ordain women.
but, he agreed to go to church with me tomorrow he's never been to an orthodox church service before
When I became Catholic my parents were also horrified that the feminist in me could be ok with a church that didn't ordain women. It was my mother's main objection, really. As for knowing what you're getting into, I don't know what to say. No parents think their children know what they are doing, adult or not.
I'm glad he's willing to go with you. I bet he will really like the service.
he's never been to an orthodox church service before 
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