Churches

[SpiritlMuse]

I have gone to 4 different Orthodox churches searching for the right one, the one that feels like home. I really am confused what to do, I enjoy the Antiochian church, its service is in English and so wonderful, I learn something new each time I go, the people are very nice, the only problem is there are steps of marble that I have to go up and down, I have a problem with my knees and a fear of heights and yes I honestly have a fear as I walk down the steps after service. Then there is another Antiochian church but is much farther away but seems to very much in line as the first except the church is new and oh so beautiful but that’s not what I should use as why I go to a church so I don’t but the extra 30 miles away does.. I didn’t feel any special pull to this one as I did to the first.
The 2nd church I went to was Greek and I thought that I was going to fall asleep (sorry) but the only ones that responded was the choir and I asked my co-worker and he said that no one but the choir every sings or chants so you go though the whole liturgy not saying anything except the Our Father and the Creed. I didn’t like this, I want to respond where it said congregation . I like being part of the worship service.
The last church I went to is the Romanian Orthodox, its a small little church and the people were all over me, so happy that I came. I learned something each time I went and the priest noticed me right away and made sure everyone knew I was there. Truth is I am debating over the first and the last church. Now I am new at this and I am not sure what I should be looking for in a Orthodox church, what are some of your suggestions ??? Besides just feeling like I am at home in a church.

 

[Coralie]

Darling, you don't have to worry about it. Just go to the one that works best for you. All these churches are part of the same communion, so none are better than the others...they are all equal!

Why not go to the Romanian one if it works best for you? I go to a Romanian church -- even though I'm not Romanian! -- they are lovely people.

God bless and don't worry about a thing...I'm so happy you've found such lovely churches!

 

[choirfiend]

Usually, unless there's an important reason to otherwise, just go to the church closest to your house!

And if there's two close to your house, go to the one with the priest with whom you feel most comfortable.

 

[E.C.]

Romanians make better food

 

[SpiritlMuse]

All these churches are part of the same communion, so none are better than the others...they are all equal!

Why not go to the Romanian one if it works best for you? I go to a Romanian church -- even though I'm not Romanian! -- they are lovely people.

Romanians make better food

Usually, unless there's an important reason to otherwise, just go to the church closest to your house!

Last night I went to the PSL at the Romanian Orthodox church, the whole service was in Romanian and to be honest, I loved it even though I didn't understand any of the words. I have been to a PSL service before that was in English. Its such a lovey church the people that is.. warm and inviting, its a small parish and last night there was only 9 of us there.
One of the men came over to me and asked if I was Orthodox and I told him no, but where I had come from and he took my hand and looked at me and said you will become Orthodox. After service and we said our good nights as I was walking to my car, Fr Anton popped out of the church to say good night again.. he makes sure I know that he knows I am there every time.

 

[Dorothea]

I agree with the others. Go to where you feel comfortable. For the record, not all Greek Churches' congregations do not sing. I'm in a GOC, and we sing with the chanter (that's our choir, the one chanter...sometimes we get one of the Eikona sisters to chant and the priest's wife, but we're a small community).

Also, the way I understand it from my mom, since she's 100% Greek and grew up in Greece, the Churches there did not sing along with the chanter(s). She believes this is a Western custom.

I also heard on one of Bishop Kallistos Ware's podcasts that the most friendly ethnic groups in Orthodoxy are the Romanians. They do not have a more closed, keep to your own mentality.

 

[Coralie]

The Romanian culture is kind of half-eastern, half-western -- the country itself straddles Eastern and Western Europe basically, so it makes sense that they're like that. So I think that makes them seem more open/friendly, because they really have a wider perspective than many other countries. They don't have this idea that "Romanian is best" or "more Orthodox". They do love their language though, which is why they tend to keep it alive in their parishes.

Whatever you decide to do, it will work out OK -- don't worry, just follow God.

 

[Gregorios]

Honestly it doesn't matter because we are all Orthodox so as Coralie said we are all equal. I'm in the GOA, it was the Church closest to my house lol Also, after a few years, I knew it's where God wanted me to serve Him, so I'll stay It sounds like the priest at the Romanian Church is a very good man and a good priest so if you have found a good priest, stay at that Church, but wherever you are most comfortable is where you should go.

 

[συ ει Πετρος]

I am Greek, but I like going to the Serbian Church here (my wife is Serbian). We go to both Greek and Serbian, depending on how we feel that day. The only problem is one is old calendar (Serbian) and one is new. I also do not like the long drawn out choir and the horrible organ the Greek Churches in the US picked up.

 

[The Virginian]

I have gone to 4 different Orthodox churches searching for the right one, the one that feels like home. I really am confused what to do, I enjoy the Antiochian church, its service is in English and so wonderful, I learn something new each time I go, the people are very nice, the only problem is there are steps of marble that I have to go up and down, I have a problem with my knees and a fear of heights and yes I honestly have a fear as I walk down the steps after service. Then there is another Antiochian church but is much farther away but seems to very much in line as the first except the church is new and oh so beautiful but that’s not what I should use as why I go to a church so I don’t but the extra 30 miles away does.. I didn’t feel any special pull to this one as I did to the first.
The 2nd church I went to was Greek and I thought that I was going to fall asleep (sorry) but the only ones that responded was the choir and I asked my co-worker and he said that no one but the choir every sings or chants so you go though the whole liturgy not saying anything except the Our Father and the Creed. I didn’t like this, I want to respond where it said congregation . I like being part of the worship service.
The last church I went to is the Romanian Orthodox, its a small little church and the people were all over me, so happy that I came. I learned something each time I went and the priest noticed me right away and made sure everyone knew I was there. Truth is I am debating over the first and the last church. Now I am new at this and I am not sure what I should be looking for in a Orthodox church, what are some of your suggestions ??? Besides just feeling like I am at home in a church.

You're past the first hurdle of "Does God want you in Church. All that's left is to put aside "feelings", and ask "God where do you want me?" Do not be surprised however; if God chooses, to leave that choice up to you.


the sinful and unworthy servant