Is THIS Orthodoxy?!

[Toddbert]

Generally speaking, the Antiochians and Greeks seem more friendly towards visitors-- not that the Russians can't be, but it seems to vary more from parish to parish than the Antiochians and Greeks.

While you're not in a good situation now, you'll be in an enviable situation in the near future, with a lot of great places to visit and priests to meet. Not bad things at all! God bless you on your journey.

 

[gzt]

I'll level with you, and don't get me wrong, I'm generally supportive of whatever place you end up at, just as long as you continue to seek God in all things, 'cause that's far better than what this miserable sinner does.

The Matthewites aren't representative of Orthodoxy, either. They really shouldn't be referred to as "GOC" on this forum, because that, on this forum, refers to the one 99% of the world refers to as the GOC, and not the Matthewites. They're bizarre schismatics. I'm sorry, but, frankly, you won't get too much sympathy here while you hang out with groups that 99% of the Orthodox world thinks are out in left field and then come here saying, "Are all Orthodox like this?" The answer is, "NO. NO. A THOUSAND TIMES, NO." I mean, you will probably run into some mainstream Orthodox priests like that. Probably not as many.

Anyways, when you inquire at these places, maybe you could phone the priest ahead and mention the situation with your wife, it may help said priest be more pastoral.

 

[buzuxi02]

Dear Misha,

If you prefer an old calendar church within the russian tradition i suggest you attend a ROCOR parish, if you want one in the greek tradition i suggest going to ST. Anthonys Monastery in Arizona but not sure if its near you. I have no problem recommending an old calendar greek synod but the matthewites are not one of them.

Since matthewites interpret canons in the most rigid sense its only natural to apply the same rigidity to them since this is what the Lord commands (Matt 7.1-5). If you know the history of the Matthewites and canons pertaining to ordination, then you know they have NO apostolic succession.

In california there are also a few parishes under the Jerusalem patriarchate, they too can satisfy your purist leanings.

 

[Michael G]

Misha, ask St. Alexis Toth of Wilkesbarre to pray for your wifes conversion.

 

[rusmeister]

Shoot, I'd give some advice, but it'd just be overkill. What everyone else said. Except that OCA can TOO be friendly! Ya can't go wrong if you go canonical!

 

[ThePilgrim]

Misha,
I second what Michael has said. The actions of the priest in question seem highly uncharitable, and not in keeping with a priest's pastoral duties. However the GOC affiliation tends to explain a little.
It seems wise to me that you would be better off in the OCA parish. You need to tell your poor wife that this priest's attitude and actions are not typical or indicative of Orthodoxy. Perhaps you could persuade her to drop in here and ask questions?
In any event, welcome back to TAW, you are in my prayers.
Peace,
Don

Matthewites are not part of the larger Greek Church. You would probably not get that type of experience in a canonical Church.

 

[Mary of Bethany]

I can suggest a very good OCA parish in Tempe -

St. John the Evangelist Mission:

http://www.stjohnaz.org/



Mary

 

[Xpycoctomos]

I have never seen an OP quite liek this one (usually it's the, "Hi,m I go to a church that is considered schismatic. I don't agree and I am not changing, but that's beside the point and here's my question..."). I am so glad that you are searching for a canonical Church. That takes a lot of humility I would imagine. God bless you.

Oh yeah, and ditto everyone's advice.

John

PS: I never knew or heard of the Mathewites. Interesting. Sad.

 

[Michael G]

Generally speaking, the Antiochians and Greeks seem more friendly towards visitors-- not that the Russians can't be, but it seems to vary more from parish to parish than the Antiochians and Greeks.

While you're not in a good situation now, you'll be in an enviable situation in the near future, with a lot of great places to visit and priests to meet. Not bad things at all! God bless you on your journey.

I don't get where you say that Greeks and Antiochians are generally more accepting of converts than OCA?

 

[Khaleas]

I don't get where you say that Greeks and Antiochians are generally more accepting of converts than OCA?

I have to agree. I don't think it's one bit fair to say one church is more accepting than others. Maybe one of those things that should be stream lined at TAW. It completely depends on the church, not the jurisdiction. I've gone to Greek and Antiochian churches were people wouldn't say Hello to you even if you paid them, and I've been to the same where people are very friendly. Most Russian churches I've visited have been very friendly and I've never heard of one where there isn't a soul who speaks English.
If it's canonical, no church is better than another. It's the people at that church who makes it more welcoming than others so it just cannot be streamlined.

 

[DavidBryan]

I can suggest a very good OCA parish in Tempe -

St. John the Evangelist Mission:

http://www.stjohnaz.org/



Mary

Mary, y'beat me to it! That's also the parish, incidentally, of "Steve and Bill" of Our Life in Christ "fame."

 

[Mary of Bethany]

Mary, y'beat me to it! That's also the parish, incidentally, of "Steve and Bill" of Our Life in Christ "fame."

Yes, I know.

Mary

P.S. I saw where a certain blogger put S-P's blog on his list of 10 best.

 

[Michael G]

I have to agree. I don't think it's one bit fair to say one church is more accepting than others. Maybe one of those things that should be stream lined at TAW. It completely depends on the church, not the jurisdiction. I've gone to Greek and Antiochian churches were people wouldn't say Hello to you even if you paid them, and I've been to the same where people are very friendly. Most Russian churches I've visited have been very friendly and I've never heard of one where there isn't a soul who speaks English.
If it's canonical, no church is better than another. It's the people at that church who makes it more welcoming than others so it just cannot be streamlined.

Yes, I agree with you, while at the same time I have heard of Greek parishes that were not friendly to visitors and of Greeks who refuse to buy icons from non-Greek iconographers. I do not want to cite names here or else I would cite an actual example of this. Thus it is WRONG to say X or Y jurisdiction will by nature be more friendly than Z jurisdiction.

 

[Toddbert]

I don't get where you say that Greeks and Antiochians are generally more accepting of converts than OCA?

I didn't. I said that in general they were more friendly to visitors, and that Russian churches tended to have more variance from parish to parish; it usually depends on who the majority of their congregation consists of. There's no endorsement on my part of one set of churches over the other, and if you're lucky enough to live in an area with a lot of Orthodox churches, I encourage visiting them all, even once you've picked one. It's neat.

 

[Michael G]

I didn't. I said that in general they were more friendly to visitors, and that Russian churches tended to have more variance from parish to parish; it usually depends on who the majority of their congregation consists of. There's no endorsement on my part of one set of churches over the other, and if you're lucky enough to live in an area with a lot of Orthodox churches, I encourage visiting them all, even once you've picked one. It's neat.

Again, I find your statement objectionable. You are basing your view of OCA and Russian Churches and of Greek and Antiochian Churches on a small sampling and making a very broad generalization.

 

[Toddbert]

Again, I find your statement objectionable.

Which part of it? The one where I suggested visiting a lot of churches, and that it was 'neat'? Or the part where I generalized broadly about churches based on my personal experience with them? There's nothing 'objectionable' in having an opinion based on experience, is there?

Ugh, I am beginning to remember why I don't deal with message boards very often; even though I'd like to discuss my faith, everyone's so darned prickly.

 

[Michael G]

Which part of it? The one where I suggested visiting a lot of churches, and that it was 'neat'? Or the part where I generalized broadly about churches based on my personal experience with them? There's nothing 'objectionable' in having an opinion based on experience, is there?

Ugh, I am beginning to remember why I don't deal with message boards very often; even though I'd like to discuss my faith, everyone's so darned prickly.

I am not being prickly. I am taking offense to your view of Russian and OCA churches as not being friendly.

 

[choirfiend]

Welcome, Toddbert.

 

[Toddbert]

I am not being prickly. I am taking offense to your view of Russian and OCA churches as not being friendly.

I didn't say that, though. I give up trying to explain myself; you'll just have to believe that there's no bad intent in my generalization, and that's it.

 

[Michael G]

Back to the OP, Misha, I encourage you to attend a canonical Orthodox parish and to move pastorally and carefully in letting the Lord lead your wife into Orthodoxy.