Hi

[Umut]

Hello, even though I'm a Turk, I converted to Orthodoxy about a year ago. I've read a few books which sky rocketed my knowledge on Orthodoxy to about 0.0056% of this religion.

I'd like to learn more about Saints and their lives and how they deserve to become Saints.

Could somebody teach me the basics on praying? I've read the Teachings of the Holy / Desert Fathers on the Prayer of the Interior, and I know much about it, but how should I start off prayer to our Lord, Jesus Christ, when I pray for good health, wisdom and mercy on my soul?

Anybody?

 

[Orthodox Andrew]

I hope to get to know you, Umut.

 

[Umut]

Could somebody teach me the basics on praying? I've read the Teachings of the Holy / Desert Fathers on the Prayer of the Interior, and I know much about it, but how should I start off prayer to our Lord, Jesus Christ, when I pray for good health, wisdom and mercy on my soul?

Anybody?

Thanks...

 

[Matrona]

Hello Umut! I have to leave your question to one of our more experienced members, because I'm just a beginner myself. But I wanted to welcome you to Christian Forums and The Ancient Way. God bless you!

 

[Umut]

Thanks, I hope to talk to you more. Thanks for showing an interest. God bless you.

 

[ufonium2]

Do you have a prayer book, or a means to get one? Mine really helped me, and the pocket versions are like $6 (US.) Some of the more worldly folks on this board might be able to help you find one in your area, but if not I'd be glad to try to help.

 

[Oblio]

Welcome to CF, TAW, and Orthodoxy Umut

Here is a start

Orthodox Prayer Book

 

[Oblio]

Umut

A very good book for beginners is Beginning to Pray by Met. Anthony (Bloom) of Blessed Memory.

 

[Photini]

Umut

A very good book for beginners is Beginning to Pray by Met. Anthony (Bloom) of Blessed Memory.

That's what I was going to say!!

Welcome to CF Umut!

 

[Umut]

Your interests in me and love towards me brings tears to my eyes. You guys are so loving and caring. Thank you. I'll definitely keep a link of that site and pray whenever I can. I don't have much privacy in my home considering my mom is a God-knows-what. She prays to Allah in a Roman Catholic Church and claims to be an Agnostic. Somehow I managed to devour 4 books starting from September. The Way of a Pilgrim, The Pilgrim Continues His Way, The Orthodox Way, The Teachings of the Desert / Holy Fathers on the Prayer of the Interior. Please pray for me that I may be undisturbed in my studies. The monastic life intrigues me, and I was wondering if you guys could give me some info about their life style and what they do.

 

[MariaRegina]

Dear Umut:

God always provides.

Many people in the Orthodox Church wonder where they will get their next Patriarch of Constantinople since the Patriarch 'has' to be a native born Turkish citizen, and the numbers of Turkish Orthodox are dwindling ... and then you convert into Orthodoxy. You give me hope. I've heard of many muslims who have converted to Orthodox recently - Christ has appeared to them personally. These stories send chillls down my spine - God is truly in our midst. How did you find the Orthodox Faith? Is there an Orthodox church nearby you?

God grant you many years.

Try to see if you can go to Greece and visit the Holy Mount - Mount Athos. They could answer a lot of your questions.

Your sister in Christ,
Elizabeth

P.S. Please take care. Are there a lot of converts to Orthodox in Turkey?

 

[Umut]

Thank you for the praise. I live in Canada, and I have never in my entire life heard of a muslim convert to Orthodoxy. I converted because of one of my friends. He is actually a moderator of this site. What he did was he provided me with financial and emotional support through the toughest age of a teenager's life. In family matters we have much in common and pretty much deal with the same issues. So what happened was I could relate to him and he showed me about Orthodoxy. Without knowing one bit of information about Orthodoxy except for the Holy Trinity, I converted, and found out many answers to life's questions in a way that satisfied me completely. I was so troubled about life, everytime I asked my friend a question he would answer it fully, shortly and sweetly. I was amazed. I was amazed at the devoution of the Saints to their religion and The Passion of Jesus Christ our Lord to us mankind. I was so intruiged that I could not stop my burning desire to learn about Orthodoxy. So I did, and the more I learned the more I realized that I'd made the best decision of my life. As soon as I converted I figured out problems in my family, set my life straight, and returned from suicide. I also rediscovered myself. I even got a huge scholarship ($34,000).
Another thing that made me convert was that I saw the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus in a dream. In that dream; in a nutshell; I was extremely scared and felt something I've never felt before in which I am still today not able to identify.

There you have it. That's my story.

If I ever get a chance, I'd go to Greece. In fact, I will... soon... when I have enough money.

Thanks.

 

[Photini]

Somehow I managed to devour 4 books starting from September. The Way of a Pilgrim, The Pilgrim Continues His Way, The Orthodox Way, The Teachings of the Desert / Holy Fathers on the Prayer of the Interior. Please pray for me that I may be undisturbed in my studies. The monastic life intrigues me, and I was wondering if you guys could give me some info about their life style and what they do.

There is some info at this site on monasticism:

http://www.monachos.net/monasticism/index.shtml

and also here:

http://www.kosovo.com/default1.html

Another couple of books I recommend to you are by the Metropolitan of Nafpaktos, Hierotheos Vlachos. The Mind of the Orthodox Church, and Orthodox Spirituality. You can read excerpts from his books as well as order them at: www.pelagia.org

God bless you!

 

[Oblio]

Umut,

My path to Orthodoxy was through your country. My wife and I made a stop at the church of The Holy Savior in Chora (Kariye Camii) and we were awestruck by it. Many months later our experience there would awaken in us during our search for the truth.

 

[Umut]

Thank you so much for the replies. It warms my heart. I'm glad you've found your path in Turkey. I've never ever heard of any muslim converting to Orthodoxy, but I'm glad I'm one of the few. This is kind of interesting: My best friend is Greek, and naturally you'd assume that he'd hate me; considering I'm a Turk. Quite the contrary; he says that from what he's seen of the Turks (mostly negative); that I have no Turkish blood in me whatsoever. He says my blood could be related to one of the Greek babies that the Ottoman Empire stole to raise soldiers out of them. He means that in the way that I'm intelligent and open-minded, and that I'm nothing like them.

Regardless of his contraversial praise, I cannot deny my roots; even though my country thought that PRINTING (media, newspapers, magazines etc) was the work of the Shaytan (Islam's definition of the Devil) and did not inherit the technology for 150 years.

Anywho... I was so surprized that you guys actually responded. This is so nice.

Could somebody show me links on some of the Saints and their lives...? I'm interested reading about the Saints after I'm done with "The Orthodox Church" by Timothy Kallistos Ware.

Thank you, and Christ be with you.

 

[Orthodox Andrew]

It's lunacy to think good or bad in a man could be determined by his blood.

 

[MariaRegina]

Dear Umut:

Do you have a Christian name you can use? You're a wonderful person and I'm glad you're here in TAW.

Your sister in Christ our God,
Elizabeth

P.S. What icon have you chosen as your avatar? These avatars are so small that I cannot read the lettering.

 

[Suzannah]

Dear Umut:

I am so happy for you that you have found your hearts desire in Orthodoxy! I have been very priviledged in my life to have known many wonderful Turkish people... I am now very glad to know you too!!!!

I cannot add anything to what the others have said, but I do want to welcome you and to tell you I am glad you are here to learn just like me. I'm a new convert also and I learn something from everyone here.

Is Umut a Turkish name? If yes, what does it mean?

 

[prodromos]

If I ever get a chance, I'd go to Greece. In fact, I will... soon... when I have enough money.

Dear Umut,

there is a sofa-bed in our spare room waiting for you when you do come to Greece. Oblio can testify to its comfort (though his feet stuck out over the end ).

We are in Thessaloniki, just a couple of hours drive from Mount Athos

I hope you are able to find an Orthodox church close by to where you live so that you can experience the services leading up to the feast day of feast days, Pascha!

God bless, and welcome to The Ancient Way.

John.

 

[nicodemus]

Our prayers are with you Umut!