Just a little let down

SpiritlMuse · Mar 12, 2011

Okay, I am in the process of learning and so forth with the Orthodox religion, ya all know that wonderful feeling you get when things all seem to fall into place as far as the religion being right for you..

Well I went and talked to the church's priest that I am looking into and asked about membership, what it takes and such.. he just said that he is finishing up with a group now and won't be starting another until fall.. okay that's fine, what can I do now? read books, bible, how about the questions I have. He said no don't need to read any books.. yes its fine to read the bible, and you can write down the questions we can go over them when I start classes in the fall, in the mean time its best just to come an observe.

I felt such a let down.. maybe I want to learn to fast, I don't know. I love to read and I went ahead a ordered some books anyhow I know it won't hurt me to read.. lol I guess it will be easy to look at the other 4 churches in the area.

ProScribe · Mar 12, 2011

Keep your spirits up Attend the services (If you want to) What can you do? Start a prayer life or even make a prayer corner (7)

Antony in Tx · Mar 12, 2011

I think you need to remember that just because you can't participate directly in the Holy Mysteries, it doesn't make you less of a member of the Family. Go. Learn the Liturgy back to front. Read. Pray. Fellowship with the other people there. Look around and realize there are a lot of "card carrying" Orthodox who don't take Communion for various reasons. I was unable to go through Catechesis for almost three years after I had decided to convert; due to moves, jobs, priest not available to teach, etc. In retrospect, it was a blessing. God will provide for you in the correct time. In the meantime try to learn the lessons that He sets before you. You are no less of a Christian for having to wait, if your heart is pure and your desire genuine.

As to your questions, I am sure your priest will answer them as they come up. He is just saying that he can't provide a focused chatechism for you right now.

I will keep you in my prayers.

In Christ,
Antony

Annoula · Mar 13, 2011

in Orthodoxy we come to realize that all things take their time.
it reminds me of the good old whisky. the oldest whisky has the best flavor.

i have been in a hurry myself for various things but nothing happened and i got frustrated. then i realized that when i don't hurry up on things but only pray for the best and for God's will, then things come smoothly and very easily.

you are lucky, because you have time to investigate more on your own. reading the New Testament is a useful tool, and also Orthodox readings.
it's a way to prepare yourself better for when the classes begin.

keep going! or "keep walking"

SpiritlMuse · Mar 13, 2011

Annoula said:
in Orthodoxy we come to realize that all things take their time.
it reminds me of the good old whisky. the oldest whisky has the best flavor.

i have been in a hurry myself for various things but nothing happened and i got frustrated. then i realized that when i don't hurry up on things but only pray for the best and for God's will, then things come smoothly and very easily.

you are lucky, because you have time to investigate more on your own. reading the New Testament is a useful tool, and also Orthodox readings.
it's a way to prepare yourself better for when the classes begin.

keep going! or "keep walking"

Thanks all of you I went to service the same church and loved the it. It didn't seem to matter anymore. I don't have any problem not participating in Communion, that is the least of it.
For me its all the other things. Today I learned all about the Icons in the church and seen the procession of the icons and there is more, like how to kiss and cross yourself and this I am not sure of since I seen it done 4 different ways. Anyhow as I sit back and watch I know I will learn much. I am not sure what the Orthodox readings are.. can you point the way for me.. surely there is some website that I can learn from about the readings.

Annoula · Mar 13, 2011

you sound much better and i am happy for you SpiritlMuse.
there are so many beautiful things you can find in Orthodoxy and
it seems that when you start investigating you can't stop. and it's me saying that, a cradle orthodox that very slowly is realizing the beauty and the Truth.

i am sure people will suggest good readings (i can't cause i am not aware of english readings).

take care!

ArmyMatt · Mar 13, 2011

I would say for one, the best teachers are the Divine services, so go to them and absorb what you can each time. be patient and prayerful about it. Orthodoxy has been around for 2000 years so there is no need to rush. I am glad that it is going better for you.

as far as books go, I would talk to your priest or the recently received about what to read, and I would attend any kind of Bible study that is offered.

and don't get discouraged! many folks that I know didn't want to wait as long as they did, but when they did they were glad that it happened. God knows when you will be ready, so just trust Him (haha, easier said than done, I know) and take it slow.

PS(if I had to recommend some books I would recommend three: Growing in Christ by Mother Raphaela, Becoming Orthodox by Fr Peter Gillquist, and The Orthodox Way by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware)

God bless you!

Coralie · Mar 14, 2011

Hi SpiritlMuse. If you want to keep up with daily Bible readings, this site is pretty useful:

Online Chapel — Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

It's an online chapel run by the Greek Orthodox Church. It's pretty cool. Besides daily Bible readings, there are also daily prayers, which change according to the hour (so morning prayers, midday prayers, afternoon prayers, etc.), and some cool articles and reflections for when you have a spare moment.

The priest is right... be sure to write down any questions (you'll probably have a lot!) and don't fret about things you don't understand. It will all come together eventually. Just be calm and peaceful and allow God to do His thing... remember it's not your job to understand everything, only God can do that. Your job is to be His child and trust in Him.

Best of luck in your endeavors, & God bless.

SpiritlMuse · Mar 14, 2011

ArmyMatt said:
PS(if I had to recommend some books I would recommend three: Growing in Christ by Mother Raphaela, Becoming Orthodox by Fr Peter Gillquist, and The Orthodox Way by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware)

God bless you!

Oh I ordered them and Living God: A Catechism for the Christian Faith 1 & 2 by M. Olivier Clement the reviews were good .. I am such a sucker for reading and learning and can't get enough.. oh geez I haven't gotten the 5 books I ordered last week yet. I just need to go back to my study bible and read LOL

SpiritlMuse · Mar 19, 2011

Coralie said:
Hi SpiritlMuse. If you want to keep up with daily Bible readings, this site is pretty useful:

Online Chapel — Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

It's an online chapel run by the Greek Orthodox Church. It's pretty cool. Besides daily Bible readings, there are also daily prayers, which change according to the hour (so morning prayers, midday prayers, afternoon prayers, etc.), and some cool articles and reflections for when you have a spare moment.

The priest is right... be sure to write down any questions (you'll probably have a lot!) and don't fret about things you don't understand. It will all come together eventually. Just be calm and peaceful and allow God to do His thing... remember it's not your job to understand everything, only God can do that. Your job is to be His child and trust in Him.

Best of luck in your endeavors, & God bless.

Thanks for the site, Its bookmarked. I got a blank book to write in prayers, I know that there are books already out there with all these prayers in them, but it is just something special for me to write them in my own little prayer book.

seamstress Susanna · Mar 21, 2011

I felt the same way before my baptism 6 years ago. I even found myself very jealous of everyone else who could fully participate in Divine Liturgy. Imagine my surprise when my priest told me my jealousy was ok, and even encouraging! I learned a hard lesson of being still and waiting patiently. Ouch! Everyone has given great suggestions. May I also suggest biographies of the saints? That will help you become more familiar with the icons and their symbolism, and give you direction when it comes time to choose a patron/patroness! My saint's biography is here. St. Susanna Orthodox Christian Church - Sonora California

katherine2001 · Mar 28, 2011

Personally, my suggestion would be to ask your priest for suggestions on what to read. Stick with those books. I know that I did so much reading that I felt overwhelmed and didn't feel like I could stuff any more knowledge in my brain. I would take the books you have (or at least a list) and ask him which one of those you should read and what other books he would suggest. Let your priest guide you here.

By the way, I did that the first couple of years after I became Orthodox. If I was going to order books, I would make a list of the ones I was interested in and then take the list to my priest. He would tell me that he didn't think I was ready for some of them, so those I didn't order (I don't have a lot of money to spend on books, so I didn't want to order books that I wasn't ready for yet).

Dorothea · Mar 30, 2011

SpiritlMuse said:
Okay, I am in the process of learning and so forth with the Orthodox religion, ya all know that wonderful feeling you get when things all seem to fall into place as far as the religion being right for you..

Well I went and talked to the church's priest that I am looking into and asked about membership, what it takes and such.. he just said that he is finishing up with a group now and won't be starting another until fall.. okay that's fine, what can I do now? read books, bible, how about the questions I have. He said no don't need to read any books.. yes its fine to read the bible, and you can write down the questions we can go over them when I start classes in the fall, in the mean time its best just to come an observe.

I felt such a let down.. maybe I want to learn to fast, I don't know. I love to read and I went ahead a ordered some books anyhow I know it won't hurt me to read.. lol I guess it will be easy to look at the other 4 churches in the area.

I personally think this is the normal and correct thing that the priest said. You'll notice that no priest will be rushing you into the catechism class or chasing you with a font or holy oil. It is good advice to come and participate as much as you can in the services. This is where you learn the most about the faith...and I heard that from Fr. David on the lectures I'm watching for the 3rd time because I'm still absorbing the 12-part DVDs series. Since Orthodoxy isn't really a religion but a way of life, it takes time for someone to come into the Church and learn and transform to a new mindset and way of life. It'll be fine, though. You'll see.

Dorothea · Mar 30, 2011

And I see you are doing fine, after reading all the messages after my post.

The Virginian · Apr 24, 2011

I seem to remember someone saying some time ago, "Blessed are you when you hunger and thirst for righteousness, for you shall be satisfied...'

the sinful and unworthy servant

Red A. · Jun 29, 2011

SpiritlMuse said:
I felt such a let down.. maybe I want to learn to fast, I don't know. I love to read and I went ahead a ordered some books anyhow I know it won't hurt me to read.. lol I guess it will be easy to look at the other 4 churches in the area.

It is a different pace in Orthodoxy. I was just made a Cathechumen last month after attending my church for a year. Quite a difference from the last protestant church in which I went to four classes once a week and boom I'm a member. I have to remind myself that I'm on much different turf and need to take it as it comes.

Photini · Jun 29, 2011

When I was learning I was told to read books about the lives of the Saints. You really can't go wrong there. =)

ex-pat · Jul 1, 2011

Dorothea said:
I personally think this is the normal and correct thing that the priest said. You'll notice that no priest will be rushing you into the catechism class or chasing you with a font or holy oil. It is good advice to come and participate as much as you can in the services. This is where you learn the most about the faith...and I heard that from Fr. David on the lectures I'm watching for the 3rd time because I'm still absorbing the 12-part DVDs series. Since Orthodoxy isn't really a religion but a way of life, it takes time for someone to come into the Church and learn and transform to a new mindset and way of life. It'll be fine, though. You'll see.

Do you happen to know where I can buy that DVD series?
I've heard it very highly spoken of.

Just a little let down

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