General questions about my/our situation here in Hanoi...

[Principal Moo]

Hello everyone,

As most of you know, I am an American living in Hanoi. There is a large Russian community here and I have been meeting with them to pray, learn about the Orthodox Church, and receive the Sacraments when Father is able to visit every few months.

I just found out that a new Russian archbishop has been appointed to Vietnam and the community here has asked for a permanent priest. So, I have some questions about this:

1. Being a former Catholic, I am all too familiar with jurisdiction. I thought that my area was technically under the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and South East Asia, which doesn't seem to have anything to do with Russia. Are there rules concerning this "overlap?" Granted, I'm not complaining at all (I'm very thankful when I'm able to receive the Sacraments), I'm just curious. In the Catholic church, this would be a no-no.

2. I have tried to contact the OMHKSEA to inform them of my situation, but I have not received any feedback. I thought that I should let them know who I am since I am under their jurisdiction. Or, should I just work through the Russian Orthodox church here?

3. The priest that received me into the Church may not be able to return to Hanoi, depending on what the archbishop decides. My priest never gave me a certificate of chrismation or anything like that; he said he would bring it the next time that he visited. What can I do if I am not able to get the certificate from him and I attempt to receive the Sacraments somewhere else? I'm rather new to Orthodoxy and I have only been to a couple of Divine Liturgies. It will be obvious to anyone that I don't know what I'm doing.

4. My priest has urged us to receive Communion before Christmas and that I should travel if necessary (to Cambodia or somewhere close). I am in a tough situation financially (moving to a new apartment in a couple of weeks) and I won't be able to travel until the first week of January (I'm going to Bangkok for a recruitment fair). Why is it required that I receive Communion before Christmas? Is it tradition? I'll find a way, I'm just curious.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[ArmyMatt]

Why is it required that I receive Communion before Christmas?

because that is what breaks the Fast

 

[~Anastasia~]

because that is what breaks the Fast

I had forgotten that ...

 

[buzuxi02]

No one has jurisdiction in regions not spelled out by the canons and/or by the ancient custom of the Church. Your fine in any Orthodox Church in Vietnam.

 

[truefiction1]

You don't need to worry about jurisdiction. Any canonical Orthodox Church is okay to attend and Commune with. You should also not worry about a Baptism/Chrismation certificate. Just tell the priest (beforehand if possible) that you are Orthodox and would like to receive Communion. I don't think there will be a problem. Priests don't usually require visiting Orthodox Christians to produce documentation to prove their membership in the Church. I've never seen or heard of this being done.

The importance of taking Communion on the Feast of the Nativity is the centrality of the Eucharist in our salvation. We fast for forty days in preparation for this great moment in which we strive to journey to and dine in the Kingdom of Heaven with our Lord and Savior. It is good if you can do this, because it is a great blessing for you. But if it's not possible in your circumstances it's okay.

 

[truefiction1]

In case you missed it, I'm just pointing out that I added another paragraph to the last post to explain about the importance of trying to receive Communion on the day of the Nativity.

 

[Principal Moo]

The importance of taking Communion on the Feast of the Nativity is the centrality of the Eucharist in our salvation. We fast for forty days in preparation for this great moment in which we strive to journey to and dine in the Kingdom of Heaven with our Lord and Savior. It is good if you can do this, because it is a great blessing for you. But if it's not possible in your circumstances it's okay.

Thank you for this explanation.

I want to fast, but I was warned against doing so until I could talk to my spiritual father about it.

For the forty days fast...it is on the calendar? I found an Orthodox fasting calendar, but it doesn't mention this fasting period.

 

[Anhelyna]

Sometimes it's called Philip's fast because the Nativity Fast starts on the day of the Commemoration of St Philip the Holy Apostle.

 

[truefiction1]

Thank you for this explanation.

I want to fast, but I was warned against doing so until I could talk to my spiritual father about it.

For the forty days fast...it is on the calendar? I found an Orthodox fasting calendar, but it doesn't mention this fasting period.

It usually is shown on Orthodox calendars.