Greetings and a question!

[christoforos_c]

Hey folks, I just wanted to say hi to you all, I have read this forum for a good while and I have decided I'd like to get involved if thats ok?

I have taken the decision that I would like to become Orthodox. I believe that this is where God is leading me. I was born and raised Roman Catholic and I have always had a strong belief in God, although I have not always lived my life in a way pleasing to Him.

Ever since I was about 16 I have felt inexplicably drawn to Orthodoxy. There is no rational reason for this, I live in a Protestant country in Western Europe (Scotland), I have no cultural ties to Orthodoxy- I believe firmly in God's Providence and I know He is drawing me to the Orthodox Church.

For a long, long time I have swung between Catholicism and Orthodoxy. I have spent the last few years reading as much as I can, and asking for God's guidance. I just love the saints, the history, the theology, the liturgy and the holiness of Orthodoxy- it is the path to God.

Anyway, enough about me! I have a question- I am meeting with a priest on Friday to discuss my situation. What is the best way to greet him? And should I bring a small gift of some sort?

Any advice would be great!

God Bless

 

[ProScribe]

Just introduce yourself to the priest and shake hands ~ he will guide the conversation with relevant questions about possible conversion to the Orthodox Faith. Also, I study about Catholicism and a little bit about the Roman Catholic Church as well.

~ Wesley

 

[HandmaidenOfGod]

Hey folks, I just wanted to say hi to you all, I have read this forum for a good while and I have decided I'd like to get involved if thats ok?

I have taken the decision that I would like to become Orthodox. I believe that this is where God is leading me. I was born and raised Roman Catholic and I have always had a strong belief in God, although I have not always lived my life in a way pleasing to Him.

Ever since I was about 16 I have felt inexplicably drawn to Orthodoxy. There is no rational reason for this, I live in a Protestant country in Western Europe (Scotland), I have no cultural ties to Orthodoxy- I believe firmly in God's Providence and I know He is drawing me to the Orthodox Church.

For a long, long time I have swung between Catholicism and Orthodoxy. I have spent the last few years reading as much as I can, and asking for God's guidance. I just love the saints, the history, the theology, the liturgy and the holiness of Orthodoxy- it is the path to God.

Anyway, enough about me! I have a question- I am meeting with a priest on Friday to discuss my situation. What is the best way to greet him? And should I bring a small gift of some sort?

Any advice would be great!

God Bless

Welcome to the forum!

I agree with Wesley, just simply shake hands and greet the priest with respect. Our priests are normally very warm and friendly.

God bless you on your journey to Orthodoxy!

 

[Thekla]

Welcome to TAW

God bless your journey +

 

[Anatole]

Christoforos,
The best way to approach a priest is in sincerity and humility. Be honest about what you have questions on, be open to the answers you will be given and do not rush anything that might come out of the conversation. Above all, give Glory to God for what he has done for you in your life.

 

[ClementofRome]

Glory to God Christoforos! The meeting with the Father should be very good for you!

 

[Blackknight]

When you greet a priest you say "Bless, Father" and kiss his hand.

 

[SeraphimSarov]

Anyway, enough about me! I have a question- I am meeting with a priest on Friday to discuss my situation. What is the best way to greet him? And should I bring a small gift of some sort?

Glad to see you here! Welcome!

I remember the first time I met with an Orthodox priest to discuss my situation a few short years ago. I was a nervous wreck and afraid of saying or asking something stupid -- don't be like I was, he's only there to help! Also, the traditional way to greet an Orthodox priest is to cup your hands in front of you and say, "Father, bless." He gives you his hand to kiss (a sign of respect for his apostolic authority) and that's it. However, since you are basically inquiring about the Church, he will not be offended if you don't do that, and you needn't feel any obligation to do so right now. Just be courteous as you would to anybody else in authority, bring your questions with you and be ready to listen. I hope it is a good experience for you!

 

[Joshua G.]

-Edit-
Seraphim beat me to it. and said it better

What Jurisdiction is the parish? Greek, Russian, Ukranian? Not important at all. I ask totally out of curiosity.

Josh

 

[Joshua G.]

When you greet a priest you say "Bless, Father" and kiss his hand.

And that was an easier way of putting that I THINK this is pretty standard practice. At least in Slavic Parishes. Anyone not familiar with this practice?

 

[SeraphimSarov]

I've been to one parish where this was not the standard practice, but it consisted entirely of brand-new converts who felt it was more "American" to just shake hands. But that's a topic for another thread, methinks.

 

[Anhelyna]

Jurisdiction ?

Romanian ? , Greek ?? , Russian ???

No Ukrainians up here

 

[HandmaidenOfGod]

And that was an easier way of putting that I THINK this is pretty standard practice. At least in Slavic Parishes. Anyone not familiar with this practice?

This is common amongst the faithful; for those meeting a priest for the first time, it's not necessary.

 

[Josiah14]

Hey folks, I just wanted to say hi to you all, I have read this forum for a good while and I have decided I'd like to get involved if thats ok?

I have taken the decision that I would like to become Orthodox. I believe that this is where God is leading me. I was born and raised Roman Catholic and I have always had a strong belief in God, although I have not always lived my life in a way pleasing to Him.

Ever since I was about 16 I have felt inexplicably drawn to Orthodoxy. There is no rational reason for this, I live in a Protestant country in Western Europe (Scotland), I have no cultural ties to Orthodoxy- I believe firmly in God's Providence and I know He is drawing me to the Orthodox Church.

For a long, long time I have swung between Catholicism and Orthodoxy. I have spent the last few years reading as much as I can, and asking for God's guidance. I just love the saints, the history, the theology, the liturgy and the holiness of Orthodoxy- it is the path to God.

Anyway, enough about me! I have a question- I am meeting with a priest on Friday to discuss my situation. What is the best way to greet him? And should I bring a small gift of some sort?

Any advice would be great!

God Bless

If you want to know how Orthodox Christians greet their priests, they say 'Bless, Father', bow from the waist and touch the right hand to the floor briefly, then lay your right hand over your left hand with the palms upward. The priest will bless you and put his hand in your hands for you to kiss.

Since your are not Orthodox, the priest will probably not expect this from you. But you are definitely free to do that if you like. Other than that, be honest and be yourself. That simple, really. Dont pretend to have any humility you dont have, or to be pious, or speak eloquently, or whatever. Just be yourself.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I'd say just greet him with humility and sincerity. if you feel comfortable getting a blessing, go ahead. if not, that's fine too. don't worry too much and keep us posted on your journey!

 

[Joshua G.]

If you want to know how Orthodox Christians greet their priests, they say 'Bless, Father', bow from the waist and touch the right hand to the floor briefly, then lay your right hand over your left hand with the palms upward. The priest will bless you and put his hand in your hands for you to kiss.

Since your are not Orthodox, the priest will probably not expect this from you. But you are definitely free to do that if you like. Other than that, be honest and be yourself. That simple, really. Dont pretend to have any humility you dont have, or to be pious, or speak eloquently, or whatever. Just be yourself.

I'm sure Josiah is right, but I have never touched the floor.

To the OP. as they said. Shake his hand and ask him if you should do something different in the future.

 

[SeraphimSarov]

bow from the waist and touch the right hand to the floor briefly

I have never seen this done except with bishops, and I know of at least one that discourages the practice.

 

[Josiah14]

I have never seen this done except with bishops, and I know of at least one that discourages the practice.

I was always told to give a matana(sp) to the priest... Maybe it changes depending on the jurisdiction. I have been doing this for several years now to the priests I meet. If I am wrong, I hope someone would tell me.

 

[Sothron]

I have never seen this done except with bishops, and I know of at least one that discourages the practice.

Same. I was gently chastised by a bishop just for starting to do that. He told me simply holding my hands correctly and asking for a blessing was enough.

 

[SeraphimSarov]

I was always told to give a matana(sp) to the priest... Maybe it changes depending on the jurisdiction. I have been doing this for several years now to the priests I meet. If I am wrong, I hope someone would tell me.

If that's what your local custom is, that's what you do; I wasn't trying to say you're wrong. I'm just saying I've never seen that done before.