Choosing a parish

[Maksim]

Hi everyone, I'm new here

I've been interested in Orthodoxy for years now, and I think it is probably time to actually do something about it now that I am getting old My question is, how did those of you who have numerous nearby Orthodox churches choose one? I have many within a short drive (OCA, Moscow Pat., ROCOR, Antiochian, GOA, and more) of me, and I will need to choose one eventually, of course. Is it considered acceptable to contact/visit numerous parishes? I suppose it is the only way, but I feel somewhat strange about "shopping around" like that. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Matrona]

Hello Maksim, welcome to The Ancient Way!

It's quite all right if you want to try each parish and see which one you feel most comfortable in. The OCA parish and the Antiochian parish are the ones that are likely to have the most converts. God bless you!

 

[Reader Nilus]

Some parishes are going to be more ethnic meaning the language will be Greek, Slavonic, or Arabic. So yes by all means visit them all. Out of those you listed the OCA, Moscow Pat., Antiochian, and the GOA are all in communion with each other, for a complete list there is this site on the OCA web page:
The Orthodox Churches Churches outside of those I would be wary of, except ROCOR. ROCOR is a special case and that rift is in the process of being healed.
Jeff the Finn

 

[Suzannah]

Hey Jeff, I learned yesterday that ROCOR is actually in communion with Serbia.... Interesting! And hopeful!

Welcome to the Ancient Way Maksim!
Good to have you here....just my thoughts: I think its perfectly fine to shop around. I shopped all of two churches ...LOL! I chose mine because the service is in English and it's a small,humble Mission, especially welcoming of converts.

 

[Reader Nilus]

In our diocese, The Diocese of the West in the OCA, ROCOR members can commune with us, but not the other way around, our bishop His Grace Bishop TIKHON has made it very clear to us that we are in communion with ROCOR. MAJORITY OF CLERGYMEN AND LAYMEN OF RUSSIAN CHURCH ABROAD SUPPORT RAPPROCHEMENT WITH MOSCOW PATRIARCHATE
Jeff the Finn

 

[Suzannah]

Very cool Jeff...thanks for clarifying that for ALL of us!

 

[ufonium2]

Hey Maksim,

I'm not sure how big your city is, but you may be suprised at the amount of interaction between Orthodox churches in your area. I know I was. I go to the OCA church here for services, the Antiochian church for a small group, and sometimes vespers and special occasion stuff at the Greek church. Nobody has ever made me feel like an outsider, and they are really good about calling me to let me know about extra stuff they are planning, etc.

So, don't think that by picking one church you are excluding yourself from the others. You are blessed to have several churches around, so take advantage of it!

 

[Maksim]

Thanks for the welcome everyone

I suppose the one advantage of all the various jurisdictions in the US is that it provides lots of interesting background reading for history buffs like me The whole ROCOR/OCA/Moscow Pat. situation could fill a library, let alone a book. Good to hear that there may be hope of reconciliation in the near future. Luckily I am pretty comfortable with other cultures (and I can speak a tiny bit of Russian) so I guess that leaves a lot of options. I will have to investigate these further and one day soon (after ten years or so of interest in Orthodoxy) I will actually visit a church. Better late than never

Also it is interesting to see that there are Serbian Orthodox in Ireland. I guess the world is really getting smaller all the time

 

[Suzannah]

Hey Maksim
!
the flag is there for guilt. I actually live in the western US with my American husband. But actually, there is a small revival of Orthodoxy in Ireland...Romanian and Russian, also Greek....In fact, the Romanian Church recently ordained Ireland's first Irish priest into Orthodoxy in many centuries.
Go here:
www.orthodoxireland.com

One of my dearest wishes is to someday go home and hear the Liturgy in Gaelic...it could happen!!!

 

[OrthodoxDragon]

Welcome Maksim.

I myself am a recent convert and soon hope to be chrismated into our local Greek Orthodox Church. There are 2 churches within my driving range. Both where very welcoming and friendly. I just chose one that was a bit nearer and slightly bigger. Also the other church (the one that was quite a bit farther away) had never Chrismated anyone because its so extremely small (and everyone who goes there and started the parish obviously was born into the church so...) But they where nice. I concurr pretty much with everyone here that you have to find one that fits your needs, and what feels right to you.

But Welcome to the ancient way...