Conversions to Orthodoxy

[silouanathonite]

I have really enjoyed all the stories I've read and I guess I should post mine. Iwas thinking that all these stories would make a great book. Anyone got any connections. I would love to include mine if it is any good.
Anyway, I was born in Jamaica and went to church regularly as a kid with my grandmother. My mother left when I was 6 months so she could settle things in the US until I was old enough. Sometimes I would go by myself, it was only down the street, so I would just run or walk. One of my earliest recollection of the church was seeing people speaking in tongues and thinking that she they have lost their mind. I was about 6 at the time.
Fast Forward to the US. I still attended church from 8 until about 14 years old each Sunday. Most of the time I just fell asleep. I sang in the choir, and was very active. By the time was 14, I figured that Christianity is full of it because we have all these churches who claim to believe in the Bible, yet they are all saying different things. Someone is making it up. I knew there was a God, but at the time I didn't know who He is. I looked into other religions, but not as a way to be involved in them, I just want to find out information. Not for any particular reason, just because I am curious by nature.

Fast Forward to college. I met my college roommate in my junior year of college. He was more of suitemate my junior year and we became roommates my senior year in college. I never knew much about him my junior year, but I remember seeing books on his desk that had guys with long beards and weird hats. I don't remember how it came up, but one day I asked him what religion he was. He said he was Orthodox, I replied Jewish. He said no, Christian. I didn't say much after that conversation. I was just curious. Another time we were walking to class, having a conversation about churches and why I believe what I did. I think this came up because he mention that his Church was found by Christ and the apostles. The last thing he said before I had to go was that just because you have bad teaching within Christianity doesn't make all of it bad. He was correct, I thought. One night, being bored, I picked up one of his books. The book was "What is the Orthodox Church". I read it and realized that there was one Church at one time who believed the same. I didn't think much of it but I thought it was interesting. There was slight inclination of how true can this be.

Fast Forward to the summer after my senior year going into my 5th year senior. It took me 5 years to get out of college. I found out Freshman party is not a class you get much credit for in college. I don't know what happened, but one Sunday, I decided to head to his church. He was/is great with computers and I found out how to get there from their website. I got up and went. When I got to the church and opened the door, I thought the service was really neat. What I do remember is that it took me about 20-30 minutes to actually go into the sanctuary. I stayed in the narthex the whole time because before you enter the santuary, there are icons on the doorway of the Archangel Micheal and the Archangel Gabriel. One of the icons had the inscription that said something to the degree of the Archangel (can't remember which icon it was, but it was the one on the left) the guardian of the house of the Lord and those who do not enter with a pure heart with be struck down with his sword. Please don't quote that, but that jist of it. I remember saying to myself, "I'm not going in there." I seriously thought it would happen. Something finally invited me in. I hesitantly went in. I thought the service was very nice. John, my former roommate, and now a friend for life, ask me what I thought of the service. I told him I really liked the Lord have mercies and when they switched to the Grant this O Lord, I thought that was cool. I brought some books at the bookstore and took them home. I'll continue in a bit.

 

[silouanathonite]

So I took the books home and started reading. These books are saying that this is True Church and this is Church of Christ and His Apostles, and I'm thinking these people are full of it. So I kind of tried to disprove whatever it was I was reading by looking up other source from what I found. Everything went together. I looked up historical and factual sources. Now that I really think of it, it was the Church part I could not believe. What I embraced was what the Church said about Christ. This was something I was never taught as a child. I never knew who Christ was. This part I had no problem with because it just all made sense even thoughi never knew anything about Him. He just made sense. It was until about maybe another 6 months before I went back, and I have been going back since. I talk to the priest, and told him that I wanted to be Orthodox. He told me to slow down, which I thought was kind of weird. He told me that there are some things I need to go through before I can firmly make that decision, and before that plan can be accomplished. This was all strange to me because I grew up where all you had to do was come to the front of the Church and give yourself to Christ. He gave me some books to read and one of them was the writings of Saint Silouan. After I read his writing, I said to myself that this is what it be like to truly be a Christian. I finally decided on Silouan as my patron saint after much prayer and consideration. I became a inquirer, then catecumen, and was baptised and chrismated on December 22nd, 2002. I had lots of questions and still do. There are many things that I do not understand and probably never will, but there are things that just kind of hit me from time to time where it becomes clear. Then, if I ever have any questions, I usually call Father John now to bombard him with questions. Being Orthodox has had its ups and down. I used to be hawkish about my faith, but I think personality is more dovish (if that is word). I am greatful for my earlier faith, but I am most greatful for the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit for leading me to The Church. I am greatful for John, now Father John for his incredibly love and kindness. I am also greatful for everyone who helped me along this way. I had people tell me that once you get baptised, the journey begins and the devil will work even harder to come after you. This is so true, but thank God for His Church, the hospital for our souls.

 

[Teke]

Thank you for sharing that Teke. My journey continues...

Indeed, my journey continues as well by His revelation of worship. Which is all I ever wanted to do.

 

[Happy Orthodox]

Wow! Thank you for your wonderful story, silouan!
St. Silouan the Athonite is one of my favourite Saints, too


Thanks to everyone who posted their stories recently, too! They are all great! We really could have made it into a book!

 

[silouanathonite]

Does anyone know of anyone who would be willing to publish some of these. What all these stories tell is that Holy Spirits blows where it will. We can get a priest/Bishop to write an introduction or comment on the theology of these experiences.

 

[KATHXOYMENOC]

Does anyone know of anyone who would be willing to publish some of these. What all these stories tell is that Holy Spirits blows where it will. We can get a priest/Bishop to write an introduction or comment on the theology of these experiences.

Yes, the RCC seems to have gone further than the EOE in publishing compilations of conversion stories - e.g., Patrick Madrid's SURPRISED BY TRUTH series (as well as individual stories, either book-length or in introductions to apologetic books like Stephen K. Ray's). EOE has a few, but not nearly as many, it seems.

 

[silouanathonite]

Do you know where i can find those books for EO?

 

[KATHXOYMENOC]

Do you know where i can find those books for EO?

I've actually only seen 1 "compilation" book. St. Maximus has it in its library. I think it's by St. Validimir's Seminary press, and it's about 20 years old, and it's quite thin - about 10 stories or so, as I recall.

 

[Mary of Bethany]

Actually, Conciliar Press has quite a few different books of conversion stories. I have them at home - so I will post titles for you.

Mary

 

[Silentchapel]

Hello people. Reading all the conversion stories is amazingly inspiring. Thank you all. I will share my conversion story. Not that is is as fascinating as the others, but it will hopefully show the power of the Jesus prayer.
I live and have always lived in Serbia. Becoming Orthodox here is like discovering tap water. However, we were under Communism for 45 years - and those 45 years damaged Serbian spiritual life than 600 years of Islam. My grandfather was big in Communist hierarchy - his wife took their son secretly to the church while granddad was at work so he would be baptised.
All of this affected my family. I knew nothing of my faith, except how to make the sign of Cross (and poorly at that), and how to light candles ("up for the living and down for the dead").
While Mom was pregnant with me, she bought this beatiful children's Bible so she would read it to me. And like every cookbook we ever owned, she never touched the thing. However, I was always more into books than I was into sports, so when I was 8, I dug out the Bible. I brought it with me during the summer vacation. I read it in two days. I clearly remember while I was reading about Crucifixion - I was crying, and I kept telling myself: "Don't be silly, you know how it ends!" (somehow, I knew that Jesus would arise, strangely enough).
Since I was taking private French lessons at the time, I started dropping by to light a candle for my grandparents on my way home. My mom found out about it, and she all got: "Awwww, how adorable!" However, that is as far as I knew about the Church. Once I came to light the candles, and I stood for the service. Then everyone started forming the line, and while everyone was rearranging, I fled - I thought they were giving Communion, and I knew that Communion was something really great, big and special, something not for me.
St. Sava of Serbia is our most venerated Saint. On his day, schools are closed. Our teacher, day before, told us to come in front of St. Sava Temple for I-have-no-idea-what-but-it-wasn't-Liturgy. Some people there were handing out free copies of "Faith of the Saints" by St. Nikolai Velimirovic of Zicha. It is a catechism books that I still cherish. When I got home, I placed the book somewhere and totally forgot about it.
Then came my occult phase. I started discussing magic with this girl from my class (I was... 15?), and got very interested. I started to visit certain internet site about sorcery. I did some serious magic that was masked as a Christian prayer - I didn't touch black magic, not that white is any better, but I didn't realize it at the time. However, I guess I got bored with it or whatever - simply, I felt no need to do it anymore.
Some time later, I found out the peart that I've buried in the field - St. Nikolai's catechism. I read it once, two times, three times. I especially liked his summary of Christian virtues at the back of the book. This has opened a whole new world for me. But then, the questons came. What if Eastern Orthodox Church wasn't the true Church? So I started investigating other faiths.

Buddhism: Nice in theory, but so neutral and plain.
Islam: Too violent. Moslems keep saying that they're religion of peace and tolerance, but it seems only in places where they're a minority. The only historical Moslem figure I admired, Saladin, was more of a Christian than a Moslem.
Mormonism: NEXT!
Protestantism: Do these guys even know what they want? So many sects and denominations, do they see a problem with that?
Roman Catholicism: Hmm... This one got me thinking. But the thing that really put me off was choking legalism of it all.

So, I was attracted to Christianity (Eastern Orthodoxy) 1) because Jesus' message was so beautiful and awe-inspiring [people tend to forget it was 2000 years ago!] 2) because the Orthodox Church kept all the teachings without some silly inovations or splits.

However, I still wasn't a churchgoer. I was constantly afraid of something stupid happening to me at the Liturgy. I was worried if someone asked me to do something I was totally ignorant of. So I postponed my visit to the church. However, I spent a lot of time on the internet, learning, studying, researching/
Another summer vacation came, and I went with my family to Corfu. After spending some silly times, we decided to visit the church of St. Spyridon, where Saint's relics were kept. We entered the church and stood in line. We entered a small cave behind the altar, with tens of silver vigil lamps hanging. There were two monks or priests (or both), and they kept chanting: "Kyrie Eleison!" I came to the reliquary, bowed two times (just like St. Internet said ) and kissed the glass. I could see Saint's face though the glass. I would say he looked mumified - but petrified is a better word. When I came out, my godfather (who was with us) said: "Did you see the mumified Spyridon?" My mom said no and went to venerate again so she would take a better look.

Anyway, we visited St. Spyridon on Saturday. I decided it was the time for me to visit my first Liturgy. It would be in Greek - but oh well.
We returned to the village we were staying. I remember approaching this girl selling postcards. She was looking at something. I asked her when the services were held, and she jumped and screamed (she didn't see me apprach), turned to me and started to laugh. Then she said that the Liturgy is held at 8 o'clock.
That morning, I forgot at what time was the Liturgy. So, I went there and got there at 7 o'clock. Of course, I was the only person there, so I sat on the stairs like a complete idiot. Half an hour later, the priest came. I guess he was surpriesed seeing someone there. He had limited knowelage of English so it went like this: "Orthodox?" "Yes" "Serb?" "Yes" "You help me?" "Yes"
He opened the church. I entered, and was confused by the pews - I guess it felt kind of rude to sit. He pointed to one, so I sat. He lighted the candle, and started cleaning some ashes from the floor. I stood, pointed to the ash, and he said: "No, no, help later." So I sat down. Then he entered the altar, and started performing Proskomede. So I waited and waited... And then he called me. I entered the altar, terrified. The priest started pushing this white fabric in my face, confusing me even more. Then I got the hang of it, and kissed it. He nodded couple of times: "Yes yes!" and unfolded the fabric. It was a white robe with a cross on its back. The priest must have seen the look on my face, so he said: "You can go", but I decided to stay, because I would feel guilty to ditch a priest. He put the robe on me, and pointed at the chair behind me, where I could sit. The last thing I saw in the church were two old men - the chair was put against the iconostasis.
And the Liturgy began. The longer it went, the more I wanted to die. This is precisely why I didn't attend - because something horrible would happen. I just sat there, with my head bowed, saying Jesus prayer. A LOT of it. Then suddenly another priest vested in black entered the altar. The serving priest gave him a puzzled look, and the new one pointed to himself and said: "Serbos." I jumped out of my chair: "Please help me, I don't know what to do!!!" Both priests calmed me down (in Serbian or by saying "No worry, no worry!"). I kept sitting there, with my desire for sudden death pretty much reduced to minimum. Then my big moment came: The Little Entrance. The priest gave me a big candle, and told me to go on the right side of the Gospel. Of course, I had no idea where the GOspel would be - before I had the chance to ask, he pushed me outside, and as the Deacon's Doors closed behind me, the candle went out.
To my horror, I saw that the entire church was packed. I couldn't believe my eyes. I started stumbling around, and the Greeks started pushing me where I was supposed to go. Suddenly someone took my candle, and returned it couple of seconds later, lit. As soon as I got it, I saw the Deacon Doors open, free to return to the safety of the sanctuary to die in shame.
However, I didn't have much time, since it was time for Great Entrance. I don't recall how well I did, I guess it went okay.
Then Communion came. First the priests took Communion. Then I got the extra portion of guilt. "Come and take Communion." "I can't." "Did you fast on Friday?" "No, but even if I did, I didn't confess." So I had something to guilt about until the Liturgy was over. Then the Serbian priest came again to me (once the Liturgy was over):
"Do you know how to fold [robe's confusing name]?"
"No..."
"You do it like, this *fold* then like this *folds* and then finally, like this* Got that?"
"Yes" - I said. And just so to complete my crown of shame, the priest added:
"Oh, and next time, wear long pants to the church."


Everything went well since then.

 

[EricTheRed]

HAHA! thats great!

 

[JFox1]

Those were all very interesting stories. How many people convert to Orthodoxy every year and from which denominations?

Someone once told me that he was trying to decide between joining the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and the Eastern Orthodox Church. I'm not sure which one he decided to join. I haven't heard from him lately.

 

[KatherineOCA]

Having been raised as a Southern Baptist, moving through the Bahai Faith and back Christianity as a Baptist again I understood and understand the difficulty of converting. It is a serious proposition and is not taken lightly. With that said, my 10 years as an Episcopalian taught me about the liturgy and about Church History. When I saw what was happening in that place, I looked for "Mama". I considered Roman Catholicism. However, when I "came and saw" Orthodoxy, I new this to be the Truth. The Truth one can live by and rely on...Christ's Church. By God's grace I will die Orthodox.

 

[SeraphimOCA]

Having been raised as a Southern Baptist, moving through the Bahai Faith and back Christianity as a Baptist again I understood and understand the difficulty of converting. It is a serious proposition and is not taken lightly. With that said, my 10 years as an Episcopalian taught me about the liturgy and about Church History. When I saw what was happening in that place, I looked for "Mama". I considered Roman Catholicism. However, when I "came and saw" Orthodoxy, I new this to be the Truth. The Truth one can live by and rely on...Christ's Church. By God's grace I will die Orthodox.

Welcome Katherine. Wonderful testimony.

 

[Paisie]

I was blessed by God. I was born as a Christian Orthodox. But as usual for all youngsters, I wasn't conscious about my faith until later in my life. Gradually I came to know God and my orthodox faith. But even in my early years of ignorance, I had considered God - the Father as my real father, Jesus Christ - the Son as my real brother and the Holy Spirit as the Giver of Life. Now I am trying to know God as He, to learn His Love, His Truth and His Rectitude.

 

[Andrea Elizabeth]

Having been raised as a Southern Baptist, moving through the Bahai Faith and back Christianity as a Baptist again I understood and understand the difficulty of converting. It is a serious proposition and is not taken lightly. With that said, my 10 years as an Episcopalian taught me about the liturgy and about Church History. When I saw what was happening in that place, I looked for "Mama". I considered Roman Catholicism. However, when I "came and saw" Orthodoxy, I new this to be the Truth. The Truth one can live by and rely on...Christ's Church. By God's grace I will die Orthodox.

Hi Katherine,

Seraphim told me you that you go to his church. Welcome to CF and TAW! He was the one who led my family to the Faith.

 

[ObviousRon]

I was born and raised in the Roman Catholic church. I went to Catholic school and started my college career as a seminarian for my home diocese. I withdrew from school 1 1/2 years later due to a personal crisis. It was during that time that I experienced my first eastern liturgy. One of the monks would periodically offer a eastern rite liturgy in the crypt of the monastery's church. I attended two of the services before I left the college.

About 3 1/2 years later, after feeling unfulfilled by Catholicism and the mass, I started looking for information about Orthodoxy. I had first begun by looking for online info about Eastern Catholicism, but couldn't seem to find much. Soon after, someone on Beliefnet contacted me via e-mail to tell me about a parish that an hour's drive from home. My first visit there was for a Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts. That day happened to be Ash Wednesday for that year. About five years after that first visit, I was received into the Orthodox Church at that same parish.

 

[Mary of Bethany]

Welcome to TAW, Ron!

Mary

 

[DonVA]

Glad you're with us, Ron. Many years!

 

[ObviousRon]

Mary and Don,

Thanks for the welcome.