Greetings and a question!

[cobweb]

We only touch the floor here for the bishop and (I've been told) the abbess. Usually we don't get the chance with her. We are too busy being hugged.

 

[choirfiend]

I dont believe it is common practice to make a metania before priests.

 

[Dorothea]

Welcome, christoforos!

 

[Rafaela]

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!! As you can see from my faith icon, I'm on a journey of my own. The folks here are very good with questions and I've always felt right at home.

 

[-Kyriaki-]

High ranking priests (Archimandrites and Archpriests) get metanias as far as I know, but my priest would do the monastic equivalent of killing me dead if I ever tried that one!

I do the metania when I meet the bishop if I can, though it's hard a lot of the time in the crowd - he's at my parish a lot. Usually it's just "master bless" (but in Greek) and kissing his hand.

My parish just tends to take the priest's hand, no cupping of hands, but I learned it while visiting the russians and I do it which usually gets the cross made over me and a smile. I think it's technically what we're supposed to do, people just don't.

 

[christoforos_c]

Wow! Thank you for all the wonderful replies and welcomes. I also greatly appreciate the advice. The priest I am meeting with is Greek, although the parish has services in English, Greek and Slavonic, and there are a few priests.

I am really looking forward to it, after a long time searching I feel like I am about to embark on an awesome journey. I know that it is a tough road to follow though, I pray I can see it through.

I'll let you know how I get on.

 

[Dorothea]

Sounds great, christo. Yes, keep us posted on your journey.

 

[Josiah14]

Wow! Thank you for all the wonderful replies and welcomes. I also greatly appreciate the advice. The priest I am meeting with is Greek, although the parish has services in English, Greek and Slavonic, and there are a few priests.

I am really looking forward to it, after a long time searching I feel like I am about to embark on an awesome journey. I know that it is a tough road to follow though, I pray I can see it through.

I'll let you know how I get on.

May God bless your journey! You're right, the Orthodox lifestyle is difficult, but the bessings far outweigh the struggles (though the greatest blessings are within the heart and often go unnoticed by the world).

 

[SeraphimSarov]

High ranking priests (Archimandrites and Archpriests) get metanias as far as I know.

Must be a Greek thing. Never seen that either.

 

[snowbirdling]

You asked if you should bring a gift. Maybe a beer for him to enjoy after Pascha.(hee hee)

 

[SeraphimSarov]

Now I want a beer, snowbirdling. Thanks a lot.

 

[snowbirdling]

Heheh, ah the good things about Pascha...

 

[SeraphimSarov]

Oh yeah. Definitely bringing a six-pack of Guinness with me to church. How often do I get to do that?

 

[27B6]

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 TAW, so glad to meet you.

I recommend just being open and honest with the priest, and tell him of your journey and your interest in the Orthodox faith. Like in the Roman Catholic tradition we call priests "Father". Feel free to ask questions, whether theological or procedural. Priests have heard them all! You can ask for a blessing if you want at your first meeting. Or if you are not comfortable realize you don't have to. Orthodox have many traditions but no coercion, and converts take time to become comfortable with things like veneration of icons, etc. Becoming Orthodox in habit and mindset is an organic process that takes time (years!) -- it's not an all-or-nothing thing. So learning patience is part of the process. Catechism is not as formalized as in the R.C. faith, so it's important to simply establish a good relationship with the priest and parishioners, and be attentive. A lot of what you will learn will not come from formal classes, but from active participation in the liturgical services and in conversation with your priest and knowledgeable parishioners.

God bless you on this journey, and feel free to ask questions and share your experiences with fellow TAW'ers.

 

[Joshua G.]

I don't think anyone here mentioned to our friend the black cassock one is supposed to wear whenever greeting a priest. And don't foget about growing out the beard before you meet with him. All Orthodox men at the age of 20 should have a fully beard.

j/k

 

[zhilan]

Also, don't worry about if you're greeting him correctly and don't worry if you're not sure what to do with the various kissing things we do. I was months into being an inquirer before I started kissing the priests hand or venerating icons. They don't expect you to do it, the priest will just be happy you are there, and the rest you can do at your own pace when you feel comfortable.

 

[Anhelyna]

I don't think anyone here mentioned to our friend the black cassock one is supposed to wear whenever greeting a priest. And don't foget about growing out the beard before you meet with him. All Orthodox men at the age of 20 should have a fully beard.

j/k

Tsk - you forgot the Birkenstocks

 

[SeraphimSarov]

And the obligatory 300-knot prayer rope. Which you should go 'round five times before even thinking about going.

...what?

 

[27B6]

Definitely wear comfy shoes, and knee-pads during weekday Lenten services.