Catholic to Orthodox

There are quite a few of us here that were raised Catholic. To join the Orthodox Church, you will be chrismated. The service for a Catholic is a little bit shorter than for a Protestant, though. I heard a few in my parish say mine was the shortest they had ever seen. Before christmation, you will need to meet with the local parish priest and he will give you specifics as to whether you would need to take classes or read specific books, ect.

Due to the circumstances of my conversion to Orthodoxy from Catholicism the priest who Chrismated me seriously considered the idea of having me make a public proclamation of my faith and then admitting me to communion in the Orthodox faith but then in the end decided it was best for me that I be Chrismated. I liked the idea of being Chrismated as well because that gave a clear sign to myself and to the world that I was embracing the Orthodox faith.

Knightwolflord said:

Do you know of any websites explaining the EO faith, especially for Catholics....

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Blessings and welcome ,

Here you go . . .

http://orthodoxinfo.com/general/

http://orthodoxinfo.com/inquirers/inq_rc.aspx

http://oca.org/OCIndex.asp?SID=2

Love,
Christina

Knightwolflord said:

Thank you. Something inside of me is calling me to become an Orthodox Catholic, not Roman Catholic.

It scares me, because I don't know whose voice this is.

I have become increasingly disenchanted with Roman Catholicism as I am still seeking to come home to the Church Jesus Himself founded.

I was so sure that Church was the Catholic Church, but now I am beginning to doubt that.

I am really confused to say the least!

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Say a prayer asking St. Peter to ask Christ lead you to the true Church founded by Christ, but be honest and sincere with that prayer and be prepared for what answer he might give you.

This may be of interest:

Leaving Rome

Posted Friday, November 30, 2007


Dr. Mary Ward (PhD.), a life-long member of the Roman Catholic Church and professor of Theology at a major Jesuit University, tells us why she left the church of her youth and joined the Orthodox Church (Greek jurisdiction) as an adult.

Knightwolflord said:

Do you know of any websites explaining the EO faith, especially for Catholics....

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Here's one of the articles that got me started
http://www.ocf.org/OrthodoxPage/reading/ortho_cath.html

The priest at my parish gave me a booklet about the reception of converts and it said Catholics would be chrismated, but only anointed on the forehead whereas the protestants would be anointed on eyes, nose, lips, ears, breast, hands, and feet.

Knightwolflord said:

I am not sure I am prepared to hear that answer.

But this is good advice, thank you.

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I was not prepared for the answer I got when I sincerely prayed that prayer in June 1996. For the first time in my life I had had my faith in the Roman Catholic Church severly shaken and when I got into my car that early morning I asked St. Peter to ask Christ to reveal to me the true faith, whether it be the Catholic faith of my upbringing or be it elsewhere. It took God a few months to answer that prayer, but the answer came through loud and clear.

I also left the Roman church for Orthodoxy. It shook my world pretty deeply to realize I wasn't Roman Catholic anymore, too... all I can offer is my prayers, for what they're worth.

Knightwolflord said:

How does that work? I am wondering because I have heard of Orthodox Christians becoming Eastern Catholic, but I am curious to know what a Catholic would have to do to become Orthodox.

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What is "Eastern Catholic" and how does it differ?

I was basically under the impression all Catholics are Roman Catholic, with the exception of Sedevacants.

Boy, I'm sure this is a stupid question, but what does "chrismated" mean?

NHB_MMA said:

What is "Eastern Catholic" and how does it differ?

I was basically under the impression all Catholics are Roman Catholic, with the exception of Sedevacants.

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Well, the history of that is a touchy subject, but for those today who are called "Eastern Catholic", it just means that they are Catholics, under the Pope, but whose rites (and practices, to some extent) are Orthodox.

Mary

NHB_MMA said:

Boy, I'm sure this is a stupid question, but what does "chrismated" mean?

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Chrismation is the "gift of the seal of the Holy Spirit" (as the Priest says), received immediately after Baptism (or sometimes on its own, if a convert is not being baptized). It is an annointing with Holy Chrism (oil) on our foreheads, neck, chest, hands (front and back), feet, ears, and cheeks. It is very joyful!

Mary

NHB_MMA said:

What is "Eastern Catholic" and how does it differ?

I was basically under the impression all Catholics are Roman Catholic, with the exception of Sedevacants.

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Eastern Catholics include the Ruthenian Byzantines whose ancestors are Orthodox but whose churches came under communion with Rome in the 17th Century at the False Union of Uzhorod and other "false unions" and are thus called Uniates. They also include the other 5 Catholic Rites which are in union with the Pope but are not of the Latin Rite.