Conversions to Orthodoxy

Apostolos · Dec 9, 2004

Hi guys, this is my first post
I was born Christian Orthodox since I'm Greek & for a couple of years now, I'm a University student (Theological school of Athens University)...I have to say...I was deeply moved by your stories, I almost burst to tears...nice to be around here, it's pretty refreshing or as the fathers in Mount Athos would say: "it's a place where my heart rests"...

Δόξα έν ὑψίστοις Θεῶ
καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς εἰρήνη
ἐν ἀνθρώποις εὐδοκία

Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace
good will toward men

Rilian · Dec 9, 2004

Welcome Apostolos! Good to have you here.

Mary of Bethany · Dec 9, 2004

Welcome, Apostolos!

Thank you for the kind words.

Mary

Topaz · Dec 19, 2004

I have managed to read most of the conversion stories, and they are all extremely absorbing to read. Now my eyes are really tired, and I want to read the rest of them. It will have to be later on, as tomorrow, or the next day. (my poor eyes!)

As far as long stories, guess we all have those, so we have that much in common. Who knows where I will end up....because as the saying goes, "gold doesn't fear the fire" ...

Take care, and God bless.

Julio · Dec 21, 2004

Hello, all! My name is Julio Vázquez, and I'm a new member. A friend suggested that I should introduce myself in this thread.

. . .

I look forward to becoming an active part of this forum, and to make all your acquaintances!

Marjorie · Dec 21, 2004

What a great story, Julio! Welcome to TAW.

In IC XC,
Marjorie

Mary of Bethany · Dec 21, 2004

Welcome, Julio!

Are you the same Julio who posts on the Orthodox-Convert list on Yahoo?

Mary

Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta · Dec 21, 2004

Thanks, Julio. Julio is one of the persons who influenced me in my decision to become Orthodox. Great guy, and I hope he can find time to post in here often.

Prawnik · Dec 21, 2004

That is a wonderful story, Julio! Thank you for sharing it with us, God bless, and I hope to see more from you, soon and often!

Julio · Dec 21, 2004

Dear ones in Christ,

Thank you all for your kind replies! Beware, however, of the exceeding kindness of the "Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta", which apparently obfuscates her otherwise good judgment when it comes to making accurate assessments of people who are well-known wretches.

As for:

Are you the same Julio who posts on the Orthodox-Convert list on Yahoo?

No, but I do believe I have chatted with him!

Orthosdoxa · Dec 21, 2004

Hi Hooligan!

Julio · Dec 21, 2004

Well, hello there! Long time no talk; fancy to meet you here! You better write me and tell me how's everything going for you and the Mister!

Rick of Wessex · Dec 21, 2004

Hola, Julio. Bienvenido a TAW.

En XC,
Rick

sent one · Jan 11, 2005

xsearnold said:
I just tell people that I was predestined to be an Arminian, so I can't help but reject Calvinism.

Ha Ha.. that is funny! No matter what you believe!

Many blessings!!!

Sent one

PandaBear · Jan 12, 2005

Hey everyone, I haven't read through this thread yet, but my bishop says I'll be ready for Chrismation in a month or so, and as I vascillate between doubt and panic and fear and joy and hopefulness and excitement, my standard over-analyzing is inevitably taking place. I wrote a little about it in my CF journal today, and I'd like to repost what I wrote here and see if any of you have any feedback on this. I know it's a little manic, so I can try to clarify my mindset if there's confusion. I picked the Panda, by the way, because for some reason I see the Taoist philosophy embodied in them. I've never even met a panda. Anyway, here's what I wrote. And thanks in advance for any thoughts. It's possible what I'm experiencing is a common reaction, and it's also possible I'm so far in error that I can't see straight. Though if that were true, I suspect I'd have been told by now!

My journal post:

Hey, I'm all set for chrismation in my heart, mostly, see I always worry if committing to a path will limit me from learning from others. Yes, there is a TON to learn in Orthodoxy, but I've been exposed to so much I find it nearly impossible to out-and-out reject the other paths. And maybe it's enough to say, the other paths are valid, and I can learn from them, *and* I'm on *this* path and it is therefore *primary.*

Typical me. I need all the answers before jumping in the deep end, even though I know that I know how to swim. I should share this in one of the Orthodox forums. I'm sure others have encountered this!

Peace and all good!
PB

PandaBear · Jan 12, 2005

PandaBear said:
I know it's a little manic, so I can try to clarify my mindset if there's confusion. I picked the Panda, by the way, because for some reason I see the Taoist philosophy embodied in them. I've never even met a panda.
PB

Whoops...that looks awfully random! To clarify, Panda/Taoism is the opposite of hyper thinking. (This would include throwing out obscure references without explaining oneself. Anyway.)

PandaBear · Jan 12, 2005

Oh, this was terribly lazy of me. This is a place to share stories of one's conversion, as opposed to questions about conversion. Should I have posted this in a different thread? Yeek...sorry!

PB

Marjorie · Jan 12, 2005

Hey, I'm all set for chrismation in my heart, mostly, see I always worry if committing to a path will limit me from learning from others. Yes, there is a TON to learn in Orthodoxy, but I've been exposed to so much I find it nearly impossible to out-and-out reject the other paths. And maybe it's enough to say, the other paths are valid, and I can learn from them, *and* I'm on *this* path and it is therefore *primary.*

"In every religion there are some fragments of truth, but without Christ Who is Truth Himself, the fragments mean nothing."

- from here

Christ is not just one path but the meaning and fulfillment of all paths. All religions are good and from the Spirit, but Christ Himself is the physical manifestation of all of this, the joining together of all these myths with Reality-- because He is God become Man. Christianity is not just one religion among religions-- Christ is the end of all religion, end not in its annihilation but in its goal and purpose. Christ is why all religions are commendable, and how we commune with the Living God whose Being has inspired so many cultures and peoples.

In IC XC,
Marjorie

PandaBear · Jan 13, 2005

Marjorie said:
Christ is not just one path but the meaning and fulfillment of all paths. All religions are good and from the Spirit, but Christ Himself is the physical manifestation of all of this, the joining together of all these myths with Reality-- because He is God become Man. Christianity is not just one religion among religions-- Christ is the end of all religion, end not in its annihilation but in its goal and purpose. Christ is why all religions are commendable, and how we commune with the Living God whose Being has inspired so many cultures and peoples.

In IC XC,
Marjorie

Wow. That is exactly the gentle and wise and mysterious answer I have come to expect in Orthodoxy. Thank you very much for this. I will also take a look at the link.

Peace and all good!
PB

Marjorie · Jan 13, 2005

PandaBear said:
Wow. That is exactly the gentle and wise and mysterious answer I have come to expect in Orthodoxy. Thank you very much for this. I will also take a look at the link.

Peace and all good!
PB

We all know that feeling here, I think.

Peace and goodness indeed!,
Marjorie

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