Bittersweet

[PatrickShane]

I am blessed by God and it is a great mercy of His that I am on my way to becoming Russian Catholic. However, last night I was at my Orthodox Parish for Great Vespers, I was reminded how much I will miss my Orthodox brothers and sisters in this parish every Sunday. I hadn't been in a few weeks and Matushka Anna came up to me, put her arm around my shoulder and told me gently that she knew I was struggling, and that her and the Deacon would always be there for me. She reminded me of the tough times her and the Deacon have been through and encouraged me.
Today at the Forgiveness Vespers, as we were exchanging the kiss of peace and asking each other's forgiveness, she whispered to me, "keep the faith". I was reminded how much love there is between brothers and sisters in Christ, and it makes me sad, almost to the point of tears to think that I won't be receiving the Body and Blood of Christ with these people every Sunday or sitting and eating the Agape meal together. I know I am on the road to becoming Catholic, but it is bittersweet leaving some of my Eastern brothers and sisters behind. Thanks for listening. Pray for me and please forgive me.

 

[Irenaeus]

Patrick,

I had trouble leaving some of my Evangelical friend's company too. Don't worry, though. God will send you plenty of brothers and sisters, and he doesn't mean you to forget your old friends!

Pray then, for unity between East and West. Then there will be no more goodbyes between us.

 

[Globalnomad]

Pray then, for unity between East and West. Then there will be no more goodbyes between us.

Indeed. It is not right that you should suffer this sadness.

 

[Maggie893]

As a revert I completely understand. I had a very difficult time when I left my old church and protestant communities. Truly I had to understand more deeply what Jesus meant when He said that we would have to leave mother, father, sister, brother....I still stay in touch with them all but now I am the outsider. In Christ however there is no separation for eternity.

Praying for you during this difficult but fruitful transition.

 

[Carrye]

Pray then, for unity between East and West. Then there will be no more goodbyes between us.

Oh that we might be one again!

 

[gitlance]

I feel the same way in leaving the Anglican Church... it is very difficult. But God will bring you through it! He is faithful, and He knows what He is doing.

 

[PatrickShane]

Thank you my brothers and sisters for all the encouragement. I really appreciate it. I appreciate all of you sharing your stories with me.
I don't mean to be insensitive to anyone else, but it's not just the people that I'm sad about leaving, but the Orthodox people. It was different when I came from the Lutheran Church to the Orthodox Church because I didn't feel that there was a high degree of truth in Lutheranism, even if I was attached to some of the people. I didn't feel a rich connection to God like I do in the Orthodox Church.
It's not just like I'm leaving my friends, but like I'm leaving a piece of my heart and a piece of myself. Like I've said here before, I feel that Catholicism is the fulfillment of my Orthodoxy. That I can remain Orthodox and become Russian Catholic The difficulty for me is leaving so many of my Eastern brothers and sisters behind when their praxis is so rich and their love for God is so great. It just feels sad. Don't know if I'm making sense at all. Pray for me.

 

[ps139]

Patrick, I've never experienced this, but I'll be praying for you. It must be tough. But worth it.

 

[Febe]

Pray then, for unity between East and West. Then there will be no more goodbyes between us.

 

[Adammi]

I am blessed by God and it is a great mercy of His that I am on my way to becoming Russian Catholic. However, last night I was at my Orthodox Parish for Great Vespers, I was reminded how much I will miss my Orthodox brothers and sisters in this parish every Sunday. I hadn't been in a few weeks and Matushka Anna came up to me, put her arm around my shoulder and told me gently that she knew I was struggling, and that her and the Deacon would always be there for me. She reminded me of the tough times her and the Deacon have been through and encouraged me.
Today at the Forgiveness Vespers, as we were exchanging the kiss of peace and asking each other's forgiveness, she whispered to me, "keep the faith". I was reminded how much love there is between brothers and sisters in Christ, and it makes me sad, almost to the point of tears to think that I won't be receiving the Body and Blood of Christ with these people every Sunday or sitting and eating the Agape meal together. I know I am on the road to becoming Catholic, but it is bittersweet leaving some of my Eastern brothers and sisters behind. Thanks for listening. Pray for me and please forgive me.

I am having a lot of that now leaving my Pentecostal Church. They have been my 2nd family for years and it is hard to tell them bye, but that's what I have to do.
I'll pray for you and you pray for me.

 

[Febe]

It is always a bit hard to leave the church where You has learned about God...
God bless You inYour journey now...

 

[Mysterium_Fidei]

I'm having the exact same problem. The only things keeping me in my Episcopal church are the Book of Common Prayer and the family. I can't even imagine leaving them, it seems so wrong. I just don't know what to do, and am very confused. I'll pray for you!