Is this....normal???

[Hoonbaba]

Yesterday I went to an Orthodox parish for Holy Thursday (morning). And afterwards, I asked to take a look at a little bookstore. But for some odd reason, the guy knew I was Catholic and he refused to sell me a prayer bead!

I'm thinking to myself, "What in the world!?"

And his reason? Because I'm not Orthodox!

Is this normal??

It made no sense to me at all: It's not like a prayer bead is a sacrament.

And if the guy were to sell me a Bible (which I believe is far more sacred than a prayer bead, since it contains the words of Christ), I'd be absolutely confused.

I was about to ask my Orthodox friend to buy it for me, and ask him to simply hand it over to me afterwards. LOL

Anyway, does this stuff happen often?? Or is there something weird about this??

-Jason

 

[MariaRegina]

Yesterday I went to an Orthodox parish for Holy Thursday (morning). And afterwards, I asked to take a look at a little bookstore. But for some odd reason, the guy knew I was Catholic and he refused to sell me a prayer bead!

I'm thinking to myself, "What in the world!?"

And his reason? Because I'm not Orthodox!

Is this normal??

It made no sense to me at all: It's not like a prayer bead is a sacrament.

And if the guy were to sell me a Bible (which I believe is far more sacred than a prayer bead, since it contains the words of Christ), I'd be absolutely confused.

I was about to ask my Orthodox friend to buy it for me, and ask him to simply hand it over to me afterwards. LOL

Anyway, does this stuff happen often?? Or is there something weird about this??

-Jason

Dear Jason:

I was told not to buy or wear a prayer rope or prayer beads until after my Chrismation. A prayer rope can lead to pride. I was allowed to say the Jesus Prayer after instructions on its proper use.

Even making them can be frowned upon. Some priests will not let just anyone make the prayer ropes unless they have a blessing from their priest or they are monastics.

Don't take offense. Perhaps the priest had instructed him to safeguard some inquirers who might unconsciously fall into serious pride.

Reading the New Testament is a very good idea. Talk to your priest before buying any books or pamphlets -- even as a Catholic, my priest restricted my spiritual reading, I didn't understand it at first, but now I do and I appreciated his wisdom. Some popular books would be spiritually dangerous for me yet okay for another person. Too much curosity, even for spiritual things, can be bad.

I always get a blessing before reading books.

Yours in Christ,
Elizabeth

 

[Moros]

Nothing weird about it at all. Everyone should have the right to refuse service at their discretion.

 

[katherine2001]

There are a lot of things that can get you into trouble without supervision of a spiritual father. What Chanter said is correct. Our priests are a much better judge of what we are ready for and what we're not--whether it is our reading or prayer or other ascetical works. So, at least if you are Orthodox, you are doing these things with the guidance of your priest/spiritual father. Unfortunately, some Orthodox may read very spiritual works or use prayer ropes and prayer methods without the blessing of their spiritual father, but it isn't a good idea. People have gotten into a lot of trouble doing that. One of Satan's biggest tricks is to get us to try things that are way beyond our ability and strength so that we'll either have a huge fall or end up in delusion. Doing things under the guidance of a priest/spiritual father can prevent those things from happening.

 

[Suzannah]

Hi Jason,

I just want to offer my perspective, since I'm a fairly new catechumen....What I read on these boards before my conversion when I was a lurker, really sort of terrified me...I had visions of myself trying to get all the "rules" straight and making a complete fool of myself. I got really scared when I read the very last few pages of the Jordanville prayerbook, where it details all the appropriate times to bow, prostrate, cross your self....I thought "Im never gonna get this!!!" I also read cautions about everything from fasting to the Jesus prayer, to the Lord's prayer, to headscarves for women in church, to I don't what ...

While it is true, that Orthodoxy has guidelines and strict observances, it is also true that Orthodoxy offers something that I did not find elsewhere: spiritual discipline (which I desperately need) and accountability.

While I think the bookstall person was extreme in your case, (does he really think you can't get a prayer rope somewhere else?) I think that in his own way, he thought he was protecting you from possible "prelest" (spiritual deception).

I go to a "Mission" church that is often accused of being too "religious", as well as being "too monastic" because our parish has lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggg services. However, having said that, my parish is the only one in town that freely shares its knowledge with anyone and all who walk in the door. The other churches in my area have a reputation for being "ethnic" and "closed" to converts. So, ironically, if you came to our parish and wanted to buy a prayer rope, our priest, Fr. James would just come out and help you pick one, and then instruct you on how to use it, all the while asking you to come to church and would give you his phone number to call if you need help for anything...

Orthodoxy is full of human beings with failings, shortsightedness, pride and general all 'round, sin...sound familiar?

Take heart and try not to be too hard on that guy...he doesn't represent the entire Orthodox world....
If it makes you feel any better, my church recently had a to-do over whether or not headscarves are required for non-Orthodox women visitors. Fr. James, normally a very quiet and humble man, finally stood up and said "If they are non-Orthodox, they are not required to do anything...." The argument was over.

 

[Photini]

No there's nothing particularly unusual about it. Some places will not even sell them to Orthodox Christians unless they have the blessing of their spiritual father.

 

[Hoonbaba]

Dear Jason:

I was told not to buy or wear a prayer rope or prayer beads until after my Chrismation. A prayer rope can lead to pride. I was allowed to say the Jesus Prayer after instructions on its proper use.

But realisticallyI can easily get one at an Eastern rite Catholic parish as well...but unfortunately they don't exist here...

Even making them can be frowned upon. Some priests will not let just anyone make the prayer ropes unless they have a blessing from their priest or they are monastics.

My gosh....that's almost hard for me to believe...it's not that I even needed it, rather I just wanted to it for my own personal use. Well, I've got a rosary, so I'll stick with that. The guy was basically saying 'Orthodox only'. I had a strong impression that I wouldn't be able to buy any other religious items as well..

Don't take offense. Perhaps the priest had instructed him to safeguard some inquirers who might unconsciously fall into serious pride.

That issue never even crossed my mind before...

Reading the New Testament is a very good idea. Talk to your priest before buying any books or pamphlets -- even as a Catholic, my priest restricted my spiritual reading, I didn't understand it at first, but now I do and I appreciated his wisdom. Some popular books would be spiritual dangerous for me yet okay for another person. Too much curosity, even for spiritual things, can be bad.

Yea....that make sense...especially like when new Christians read Revelation!!

 

[Hoonbaba]

Nothing weird about it at all. Everyone should have the right to refuse service at their discretion.

Well, it's not like I don't understand what the prayer bead is for....

I felt so turned off by this guy...like discrimination...then again, that's what it is.

-Jason

 

[Hoonbaba]

No there's nothing particularly unusual about it. Some places will not even sell them to Orthodox Christians unless they have the blessing of their spiritual father.

? Seems so strict in my view....

 

[Suzannah]

Hoonbaba:

Please don't let what other posters on this, or any other board, turn you off from pursuing any interest in Orthodoxy. There's a lot of pride on these boards as well as in real life. Often, what is typed on the screen is incomplete at best.
Best wishes to you...
Love,
Suzannah

 

[Hoonbaba]

When I said 'turned off' I was referring to the guy who refused to sell me the prayer rope

-Jason

 

[Suzannah]

Jason,
I'm really sorry you had that experience. It is Good Friday today....let's meditate on our Lord and forget prayer ropes for awhile...

 

[Hoonbaba]

Technically Saturday for me.

I'm on the other side of the world.

I'm looking forward to partaking in the festivities =)

-Jason

 

[Photini]

? Seems so strict in my view....

Much of what I've been exposed to is the stricter side of Orthodoxy...my spiritual father is a monk. If you visited my parish bookstore, you could purchase a prayer rope without any question.

 

[MariaRegina]

But realisticallyI can easily get one at an Eastern rite Catholic parish as well...but unfortunately they don't exist here...


My gosh....that's almost hard for me to believe...it's not that I even needed it, rather I just wanted to it for my own personal use. Well, I've got a rosary, so I'll stick with that. The guy was basically saying 'Orthodox only'. I had a strong impression that I wouldn't be able to buy any other religious items as well..


That issue never even crossed my mind before...


Yea....that make sense...especially like when new Christians read Revelation!!

Dear Jason:

I kind of felt turned off when I visited the Orthodox Church as an inquirer -- it was strange -- I felt that as a Catholic I had the fullness of the Faith -- and they were telling me that they had the fullness of the Faith. At first I misjudged them for being proud, but then I realized that it was I who was in need of repentance and faith. The Orthodox I have met (with few exceptions) have been truly spiritual people and I have learned a lot from them.

Because of the persecution the Orthodox have endured for centuries -- and it is still ongoing in Serbia, Albania, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, etc., the Orthodox are more cautious and really do care about their faith.

Hope this helps.
Elizabeth

P.S. Pray for us sinners -- we all need prayers!

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us and save us.

 

[Hoonbaba]

Chanter, thanks for sharing =)

After much consideration, I don't think I'll turn Orthodox (at least any time soon).

But I'm still fascinated with Eastern liturgy!

-Jason

 

[Matthias]

Nothing weird about it at all. Everyone should have the right to refuse service at their discretion.

Yep, I agree.