Catechumen process…

[ArmyMatt]

What books, saints, authors, priests, etc would you recommend to address this Western thinking and to help in developing the Orthodox phronema?

that’s the problem. that IS the Western thinking. the Orthodox phronema doesn’t come from books but from the services and asceticism of the Church.

 

[Melily]

Update: We are meeting soon with the priest at the OCA Parish and may not have to start our catechumen process over after all! I’m so thrilled because it was the very first parish we visited and I really wanted to be there from the beginning but at the time my husband felt it was too far to drive. Thank you all so, so much for the prayers.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Update: We are meeting soon with the priest at the OCA Parish and may not have to start our catechumen process over after all! I’m so thrilled because it was the very first parish we visited and I really wanted to be there from the beginning but at the time my husband felt it was too far to drive. Thank you all so, so much for the prayers.

praise God!

 

[Andrei D]

that’s the problem. that IS the Western thinking. the Orthodox phronema doesn’t come from books but from the services and asceticism of the Church.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for saying this. Should be repeated more often.

 

[rusmeister]

that’s the problem. that IS the Western thinking. the Orthodox phronema doesn’t come from books but from the services and asceticism of the Church.

Yeah, look at me. My “teachers”, “saints” and books, aren’t Orthodox. But they keep me pointed to the Church when the people make me want to walk away. They say, listen to the Church, let the Church correct you, you are not smarter or wiser than the saints and fathers. It is in living the life of the Church and doing the hard things that are so easy to preach to others that you find anything really Orthodox.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for saying this. Should be repeated more often.

thanks!

 

[ArmyMatt]

Yeah, look at me. My “teachers”, “saints” and books, aren’t Orthodox. But they keep me pointed to the Church when the people make me want to walk away. They say, listen to the Church, let the Church correct you, you are not smarter or wiser than the saints and fathers. It is in living the life of the Church and doing the hard things that are so easy to preach to others that you find anything really Orthodox.

amen!

 

[Justin-H.S.]

that’s the problem. that IS the Western thinking. the Orthodox phronema doesn’t come from books but from the services and asceticism of the Church.

^this

and to reply to @Light of the East 's query, there is "Thinking Orthodox" which specifically addresses your question. The author recently did a talk on the subject:

I think she wrote the book specifically for Western converts, because western converts gravitate towards books, myself included.

 

[Andrew.H]

^this

and to reply to @Light of the East 's query, there is "Thinking Orthodox" which specifically addresses your question. The author recently did a talk on the subject:

I think she wrote the book specifically for Western converts, because western converts gravitate towards books, myself included.

I've found it a bit difficult to minimize book learning in some subjects simply because here in the south, I find that in conversation I'll have to understand more so the contrast between the Orthodox and protestant view on a particular topic. I often either find that in books or in long form online discussions. And it's not that I'm looking for debate, it just happens during conversation when I say I'm Orthodox.

I try to utilize books intermittently though, because there have been times where I've felt myself become too focused on a mental conception of faith. I don't want my faith to become purely a matter of the head.

 

[ArmyMatt]

^this

and to reply to @Light of the East 's query, there is "Thinking Orthodox" which specifically addresses your question. The author recently did a talk on the subject:

I think she wrote the book specifically for Western converts, because western converts gravitate towards books, myself included.

thanks! Dr Jeannie has a lot of good stuff.

 

[Light of the East]

that’s the problem. that IS the Western thinking. the Orthodox phronema doesn’t come from books but from the services and asceticism of the Church.

Ah ha!!! Experiential, not intellectual. Another lesson in Orthodox phronema. Thank you, Father!

 

[ArmyMatt]

Ah ha!!! Experiential, not intellectual. Another lesson in Orthodox phronema. Thank you, Father!

yep, let the experiential guide the intellectual.

 

[prodromos]

yep, let the experiential guide the intellectual.

And make sure you let the experienced help you navigate those experiences (find a humble elder)

 

[Light of the East]

^this

and to reply to @Light of the East 's query, there is "Thinking Orthodox" which specifically addresses your question. The author recently did a talk on the subject:

I think she wrote the book specifically for Western converts, because western converts gravitate towards books, myself included.

That was a well spent two hours. Fortunately, I had to drive over 100 miles today, so was listening in my auto. She really explains well what the Orthodox phronema is.

 

[ArmyMatt]

And make sure you let the experienced help you navigate those experiences (find a humble elder)

yep.

 

[Melily]

I read her book. It’s really good. I’ve noticed though from personal experience and having read about 40 orthodox books that nothing compares to attending services and actually trying to live it by the services, prayers and daily readings for me. I’ve had a bit of a challenge getting out of my head and into my heart but it’s slowly happening. The Greek parish priest is officially releasing us to continue our catechumen process at the OCA.

 

[ArmyMatt]

The Greek parish priest is officially releasing us to continue our catechumen process at the OCA.

prayers for you on this leg of the journey!

 

[Melily]

prayers for you on this leg of the journey!

Thank you, that’s very much appreciated and I’m grateful!

 

[ArmyMatt]

Thank you, that’s very much appreciated and I’m grateful!

no problem!