Might want to try out an Orthodox Church, once a month

[mourningdove~]

This is an interesting thread.
May I ask a question of a knowledgeable Orthodox person here?

How long does it take for one to learn the Orthodox faith?
(I ask because I've considered it at times, too.)

I have a Roman Catholic background, and understand it fairly well, and the terminology used, but when I look at things Orthodox ... there are so many words used that I've never heard before. It seems to me to be a faith for persons with above average intelligence. Can a simple person grasp an understanding of it? And again, about how long (on an average) does that take?

Signed,
a simpleton (lol!)

 

[ArmyMatt]

So parishes and temples are used interchangeably or no?

they can be. holy house is another term.

 

[ArmyMatt]

How long does it take for one to learn the Orthodox faith?

a lifetime into eternity. we never stop learning.

Can a simple person grasp an understanding of it?

yes. some of our greatest theologians are also the most simple.

 

[mourningdove~]

a lifetime into eternity. we never stop learning.

yes. some of our greatest theologians are also the most simple.

Thank you for your response.

My late husband was a Protestant, and a Bible teacher, and was quite intelligent. He studied church history, the ancient writings, so many of those things. He wrote about them. And when we talked about visiting churches, to find a mutually acceptable place to call 'home', the one place he appeared genuinely interested in visiting was the Orthodox church. That surprised me, but shouldn't have, given his years of study. Unfortunately, we never did make it together to an Orthodox church, but I do think about it sometimes, especially given how the RCC continues to 'modernize'.

Again, thank you.

 

[Chesterton]

Why are there more Catholics compared to Orthodox?

The worldwide number discrepancy is largely accounted for just by the continent of South America, Central America and Mexico. The Roman church got a foothold there through the RC nations of Spain and Portugal at a time when the Orthodox were not there, and what we call Protestantism was barely in its infancy. And the foothold began with treachery and bloodshed, but that's for another thread. If not for that, the Orthodox might possibly be the largest group instead of the second largest. But as the old TV commercial said "We're number two, we try harder!"

 

[prodromos]

The worldwide number discrepancy is largely accounted for just by the continent of South America, Central America and Mexico. The Roman church got a foothold there through the RC nations of Spain and Portugal at a time when the Orthodox were not there, and what we call Protestantism was barely in its infancy. And the foothold began with treachery and bloodshed, but that's for another thread. If not for that, the Orthodox might possibly be the largest group instead of the second largest. But as the old TV commercial said "We're number two, we try harder!"

That, and the fact that large numbers of Orthodox were martyred under the Ottoman Empire and Communism (and not a few under Catholicism).

 

[Chesterton]

And again, about how long (on an average) does that take?

I agree with Fr. Matt that it takes forever, but if you're talking about for the purposes of entering the Church, my church has a catechism class once a week for about three months. I don't know if that's the same at every parish, but it's probably roughly similar.

It was over two years from the time I found Orthodoxy until I was chrismated. I know a couple who took five years. It's good to take your time because joining is a serious matter.

 

[AlexB23]

The worldwide number discrepancy is largely accounted for just by the continent of South America, Central America and Mexico. The Roman church got a foothold there through the RC nations of Spain and Portugal at a time when the Orthodox were not there, and what we call Protestantism was barely in its infancy. And the foothold began with treachery and bloodshed, but that's for another thread. If not for that, the Orthodox might possibly be the largest group instead of the second largest. But as the old TV commercial said "We're number two, we try harder!"

Amen to this, the Orthodox church seems like a good idea. The Catholics have killed so many people, while the Orthodox not as many.

 

[AlexB23]

I agree with Fr. Matt that it takes forever, but if you're talking about for the purposes of entering the Church, my church has a catechism class once a week for about three months. I don't know if that's the same at every parish, but it's probably roughly similar.

It was over two years from the time I found Orthodoxy until I was chrismated. I know a couple who took five years. It's good to take your time because joining is a serious matter.

Would I be excommunicated from attending any Catholic services if I became Orthodox, or vice versa, if I want to attend Catholic services with my friends? Excommunication sounds awful.

 

[Chesterton]

Unfortunately, we never did make it together to an Orthodox church, but I do think about it sometimes, especially given how the RCC continues to 'modernize'.

Yeah, you'll notice the name of this forum is The Ancient Way, not The Modern Way.

Plus I know a joke:

Q: How many Orthodox does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Change?

 

[mourningdove~]

I agree with Fr. Matt that it takes forever, but if you're talking about for the purposes of entering the Church, my church has a catechism class once a week for about three months. I don't know if that's the same at every parish, but it's probably roughly similar.

It was over two years from the time I found Orthodoxy until I was chrismated. I know a couple who took five years. It's good to take your time because joining is a serious matter.

It's very good to know, that there is a catechism class for persons interested in the Church. I just think there would have to be, given all there appears that is needed to be learned. And of course, it would serve as a time of discernment, too, for one to decide if they are sure of their commitment to the Church, before making that commitment.

I suppose the Orthodox Church is used to getting newcomers who know very little about them, and need to learn lots? The Church is welcoming to that kind of individual?

p.s.
Lol ... the word 'chrismated'? Another one of those words I've never heard before, but I did just look it up on Google, and got a pretty clear explanation for it. So ... I learned something else new today!

 

[Chesterton]

Would I be excommunicated from attending any Catholic services if I became Orthodox, or vice versa, if I want to attend Catholic services with my friends? Excommunication sounds awful.

Well hopefully Fr. Matt will correct me if I'm wrong, but no you wouldn't be excommunicated for that. But if the Holy Spirit brings you to understand Orthodox Christianity so that you joined the Church, you really wouldn't want to attend other services (except maybe weddings or funeral services for loved ones. I've attended the baptisms of my relatives children in Protestant churches.) You can hang out with your friends doing 100 other different things.

 

[mourningdove~]

Yeah, you'll notice the name of this forum is The Ancient Way, not The Modern Way.

Plus I know a joke:

Q: How many Orthodox does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Change?

Lol ... all joking aside? It's pretty fascinating to me, that the Orthodox Church appears to have remained so 'stable'.

That is my sorrowful concern for the RCC. I was raised as a traditional Catholic, before it swiftly began moving into modernism with Vatican II. Francis appears to be working hard now to move the RCC into wokeness, but honestly, I haven't recognized the RCC (that I knew from the days of my youth) for decades now. As Francis continues, it appears he will be forcing traditional Catholics to 'go underground' again (like after Vatican II), in order to practice the faith that they love. Imo, that's very unfortunate.

Protestantism is pretty goofy, too. I've spent lots of time there, too, and there is so little agreement amongst Protestants. I really don't believe that Jesus ever meant for faith in Him to be so confusing, or divisive, as it has become.

I appreciate being able to have this open discussion here. I don't personally know any Orthodox Christians, and yet when I 'Google' my location, I find near to me:

Two Eastern Orthodox Churches
Two Greek Orthodox Churches
Two 'Orthodox' Churches (Romanian and Serbian)

... so, there must be alot of Orthodox Christians here who I've just never met!

 

[Chesterton]

It's very good to know, that there is a catechism class for persons interested in the Church. I just think there would have to be, given all there appears that is needed to be learned. And of course, it would serve as a time of discernment, too, for one to decide if they are sure of their commitment to the Church, before making that commitment.

There's really not tons to be learned. If you assent to the Nicene Creed, as all Christians here on CF do, you're almost Orthodox. But there are a few important basic differences from what Western Christianity has taught us that need to be understood.

I suppose the Orthodox Church is used to getting newcomers who know very little about them, and need to learn lots? The Church is welcoming to that kind of individual?

Yes.

p.s.
Lol ... the word 'chrismated'? Another one of those words I've never heard before, but I did just look it up on Google, and got a pretty clear explanation for it. So ... I learned something else new today!

Yes, chrismation was practiced in the early church. A weird thing about Protestantism is that it was basically a movement to "get back to the early church", yet in the attempt, they abandoned so much of what the early church believed and practiced. If only Martin Luther had had the internet...

 

[AlexB23]

Well hopefully Fr. Matt will correct me if I'm wrong, but no you wouldn't be excommunicated for that. But if the Holy Spirit brings you to understand Orthodox Christianity so that you joined the Church, you really wouldn't want to attend other services (except maybe weddings or funeral services for loved ones. I've attended the baptisms of my relatives children in Protestant churches.) You can hang out with your friends doing 100 other different things.

Good. Just making sure, cos worshiping the Pope is a form of idolatry, same with the demonic teaching of Papal Infallibility. We must not put faith into man, but into God.

Thank you for your advice on what I should do. This Pope is a form of End Times prophecy. Now the Pope is not the anti-Christ, but he is a tool by the devil for spreading anti-Christian doctrine:

1 Timothy 4:1 (ESV): "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons."

2 Timothy 4:3 (ESV): "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions."

 

[prodromos]

Would I be excommunicated from attending any Catholic services if I became Orthodox, or vice versa, if I want to attend Catholic services with my friends? Excommunication sounds awful.

As long as you don't receive communion at a non-Orthodox Church, you would be fine. But if your experience is anything like mine, you will quickly find heterodox services a pale substitute for the richness of Orthodox services. I always feel sad when I visit the Church I was raised in (Anglican)

 

[Chesterton]

Lol ... all joking aside? It's pretty fascinating to me, that the Orthodox Church appears to have remained so 'stable'.

Given the assaults against it mentioned above, it's a miracle (based on the promise of Christ) that it has even survived.

That is my sorrowful concern for the RCC. I was raised as a traditional Catholic, before it swiftly began moving into modernism with Vatican II. Francis appears to be working hard now to move the RCC into wokeness, but honestly, I haven't recognized the RCC (that I knew from the days of my youth) for decades now. As Francis continues, it appears he will be forcing traditional Catholics to 'go underground' again (like after Vatican II), in order to practice the faith that they love. Imo, that's very unfortunate.

Protestantism is pretty goofy, too. I've spent lots of time there, too, and there is so little agreement amongst Protestants. I really don't believe that Jesus ever meant for faith in Him to be so confusing, or divisive, as it has become.

I agree.

I appreciate being able to have this open discussion here. I don't personally know any Orthodox Christians, and yet when I 'Google' my location, I find near to me:

Two Eastern Orthodox Churches
Two Greek Orthodox Churches
Two 'Orthodox' Churches (Romanian and Serbian)

... so, there must be alot of Orthodox Christians here who I've just never met!

Just to be clear, that's Google being Google. I'm sure those are all just Eastern Orthodox churches. The ethnic identification is to identify what jurisdiction they are under, which is fine, but it can create confusion. If I didn't know better, and I'm driving down the street and see a sign which reads "St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church", I'd probably think "there's a church for Greek people. That's nice, but I won't visit there, because I'm not Greek", which is unfortunate.

 

[AlexB23]

As long as you don't receive communion at a non-Orthodox Church, you would be fine. But if your experience is anything like mine, you will quickly find heterodox services a pale substitute for the richness of Orthodox services. I always feel sad when I visit the Church I was raised in (Anglican)

Good idea. I may try this out.

 

[AlexB23]

Guys, what is the best ethnic jurisdiction for Orthodox churches? Greek, Russian, or global (as in, a church that has no ethnic ties).

 

[mourningdove~]

Just to be clear, that's Google being Google. I'm sure those are all just Eastern Orthodox churches. The ethnic identification is to identify what jurisdiction they are under, which is fine, but it can create confusion. If I didn't know better, and I'm driving down the street and see a sign which reads "St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church", I'd probably think "there's a church for Greek people. That's nice, but I won't visit there, because I'm not Greek", which is unfortunate.

Oh thank you for explaining that ... because that's probaby what I would 'think'.

Just something I've wondered, and it's probably a dumb question, but:
Are any Eastern Orthodox 'services' spoken in English?
Or, if not, what language are they spoken in?

I'm guessing that maybe in the Greek, Serbian, Romanian Orthodox Churches, their native tongue is spoken?