Finally!

[PittBullMom]

I went to my first service today. I watched last week on livestream from home. I was only there for 30 sec and someone knew I was new. She moved over and told me sit next to her and she helped through the whole thing. She even reached in her purse and gave me a picture of Mary, which I forgot in the pew and I'm so upset now but after she walked me around and showed me the relics, explained the symbolism of the icons too. She gave me her number and invited me to her home for coffee. Lol. There was no coffee hour this time because the Greek fest was starting outside.

I absolutely loved the service. Especially the part where they prayed for the dead. No one had to purchase a mass to commemorate anyone. It always bothered me someone could pay for a mass, and if someone bought that day, you had to pick another day. I also didnt see any tracking envelopes, and I was told you don't need to donate specifically 10-20 percent and they do not ask for your annual combined income. I absolutely love this place.

 

[ArmyMatt]

glory to God!

 

[~Anastasia~]

I went to my first service today. I watched last week on livestream from home. I was only there for 30 sec and someone knew I was new. She moved over and told me sit next to her and she helped through the whole thing. She even reached in her purse and gave me a picture of Mary, which I forgot in the pew and I'm so upset now but after she walked me around and showed me the relics, explained the symbolism of the icons too. She gave me her number and invited me to her home for coffee. Lol. There was no coffee hour this time because the Greek fest was starting outside.

I absolutely loved the service. Especially the part where they prayed for the dead. No one had to purchase a mass to commemorate anyone. It always bothered me someone could pay for a mass, and if someone bought that day, you had to pick another day. I also didnt see any tracking envelopes, and I was told you don't need to donate specifically 10-20 percent and they do not ask for your annual combined income. I absolutely love this place.

Glory to God indeed!

I'd like to meet the person who helped you there. I'm so glad you received that. That's my only regret, being in the choir loft, I often don't see new people until the end of the Liturgy.

So glad you could make it.

 

[PittBullMom]

Glory to God indeed!

I'd like to meet the person who helped you there. I'm so glad you received that. That's my only regret, being in the choir loft, I often don't see new people until the end of the Liturgy.

So glad you could make it.

A guy walked in a few minutes after me, she tried to help him, too. He didn't stay long and left shortly after the prayer service ended and the liturgy began. There was another lady there who introduced herself and said welcome to our beautiful church. They were so nice and friendly.

I used to go to mass 7 days a week. I attended mass for several years. No one spoke a word to me. Ever.

 

[~Anastasia~]

A guy walked in a few minutes after me, she tried to help him, too. He didn't stay long and left shortly after the prayer service ended and the liturgy began. There was another lady there who introduced herself and said welcome to our beautiful church. They were so nice and friendly.

I used to go to mass 7 days a week. I attended mass for several years. No one spoke a word to me. Ever.

I have always found Orthodox parishes and monasteries welcoming to at least some degree (often a very great degree). There was one very large parish where I was only spoken to in the Narthex by a greeter, and I went there frequently for some weeks. One other parish I visited in another city they didn't say too much, and no coffee hour, but I had some trouble with my car in the parking lot and several families stayed with me, one man fixed it, and then gave me his phone number to call if I had any further trouble since I was traveling a long way and still a few hundred miles from my destination - he offered to come help me if I had trouble on the road after continuing my travel. So I still have to count that as pretty friendly. The others have all surpassed this level of welcome.

I think not only did I need the faith of the Orthodox Church, but I think I needed the community too. I did not know how important it would become to me over these intervening years. I may in a way owe my continued life to the love and sense of family our parish extends.

I don't want to paint the Church as perfect - after all, all families have their difficulties, their misfits, their squabbles. But I think the theology of Orthodoxy provides a very real foundation to understanding the people as a truly interconnected body, and at the same time at least gives us tools and guidance to work on those inevitable imperfections.

 

[Maryslittleflower]

I went to my first service today. I watched last week on livestream from home. I was only there for 30 sec and someone knew I was new. She moved over and told me sit next to her and she helped through the whole thing. She even reached in her purse and gave me a picture of Mary, which I forgot in the pew and I'm so upset now but after she walked me around and showed me the relics, explained the symbolism of the icons too. She gave me her number and invited me to her home for coffee. Lol. There was no coffee hour this time because the Greek fest was starting outside.

I absolutely loved the service. Especially the part where they prayed for the dead. No one had to purchase a mass to commemorate anyone. It always bothered me someone could pay for a mass, and if someone bought that day, you had to pick another day. I also didnt see any tracking envelopes, and I was told you don't need to donate specifically 10-20 percent and they do not ask for your annual combined income. I absolutely love this place.

PittBullMom, where have you heard that we must contribute a particular percentage? I asked about this in my (Catholic) parish and I was told to give whatever we can... just a bit confused on that point

 

[PittBullMom]

PittBullMom, where have you heard that we must contribute a particular percentage? I asked about this in my (Catholic) parish and I was told to give whatever we can... just a bit confused on that point

My husband and I were told to our face during precana that it's required. When registering as a couple to the parish we filled out a form that included how much our annual income is. True story.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

OP—so glad to hear you had a warm welcome. Welcome home to Orthodoxy—Christ’s One, True Church.

 

[GregoryofNyssa]

I've visited two Orthodox parishes, one OCA and one ACROD, and both had people who were extremely welcoming and helpful for a noob to Orthodoxy and the Divine Liturgy. Ive just started Inquirer's Class at my semi-local OCA parish (St John of the Ladder) and have met some truly wonderful people. For me,the process of visiting has been much more friendly and enjoyable than the same with Protestant churches in general. Good luck on your continued journey.

 

[Maryslittleflower]

My husband and I were told to our face during precana that it's required. When registering as a couple to the parish we filled out a form that included how much our annual income is. True story.

I think it just depends on the parish