New Member Needing Direction...

[Ionnaine]

Hello all!

I am a minister of a Protestant church and I have a M.A. in Biblical Studies. I am well versed in Protestant history and theology. Growing up, I was well aware of Roman Catholicism (and am vaguely familiar with their history/teachings), but I am brand new to Eastern Orthodoxy. I had heard of the Greek Orthodox Church of course, but never knew anyone affiliated with them and new nothing of their practices or teachings.

I'm very, VERY interested in Eastern Orthodoxy AND Roman Catholicism but compared to Protestantism their history, doctrine, and hierarchy seem VERY overwhelming. I can't make sense of what I read nor do I know where to even begin.

Could you guide in the right direction and/or simplify this process for me?

Thank you all very much, and I am thankful to be here with you all!

 

[Ionnaine]

Also, when looking for a church in my area, I find different things (Russian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, churches that are just St. Anne Orthodox, etc.). What's the difference between Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, and Greek Orthodox?

 

[rockytopva]

I believe in the seven churches as ages...

Ephesus - Messianic - Beginning with the Apostle to the Circumcision, Peter
Smyrna - Martyr - Beginning with the Apostle to the Un-Circumcision, Paul
Pergamos - Orthodoxy formed in this time... Pergos is a tower... Needed in the dark ages
Thyatira - Catholicism formed in this time - The spirit of Jezebel is to control and to dominate.
Sardis - Protestantism formed in this time- A sardius is a gem - elegant yet hard and rigid
Philadelphia - Wesleyism formed in this time - To be sanctioned is to acquire it with love.
Laodicea - Charismatic movement formed in this time - Beginning with DL Moody, the first to make money off of ministry

I believe all the said Orthodox churches are Pergameon and very much related.

 

[USincognito]

Hello. You might try starting a thread in The Ancient Way, which is the Orthodox subforum.
The Ancient Way - Eastern Orthodox

 

[Ionnaine]

Thank you, I will do that!

 

[jugghead]

in my opinion, the difference is the foundation upon which the house is built.

Russian, eastern, Greek is the foundation
Orthodox is the house

To see these labels is to recognize differences before you even know what those differences are

We are the house, Christ is the foundation

follow His path not the paths of men

 

[mark kennedy]

Hello all!

I am a minister of a Protestant church and I have a M.A. in Biblical Studies. I am well versed in Protestant history and theology. Growing up, I was well aware of Roman Catholicism (and am vaguely familiar with their history/teachings), but I am brand new to Eastern Orthodoxy. I had heard of the Greek Orthodox Church of course, but never knew anyone affiliated with them and new nothing of their practices or teachings.

I'm very, VERY interested in Eastern Orthodoxy AND Roman Catholicism but compared to Protestantism their history, doctrine, and hierarchy seem VERY overwhelming. I can't make sense of what I read nor do I know where to even begin.

Could you guide in the right direction and/or simplify this process for me?

Thank you all very much, and I am thankful to be here with you all!

The western church, which is Rome, believes they have the sole right and responsibility to administer the sacraments and speak on all matters related to doctrine. The Eastern Orthodox don't have a very different opinion of themselves but apparently there is a rivalry between them and Rome. The eastern churches, the Orthodox, have a more mystical approach, try the eastern church fathers to gain a couple of insights into how that works. Rome like the Orthodox believe they are agents of salvation, my whole problem with them. I seriously considered converting to Catholicism but devotions to Mary were a deal breaker.

 

[Little Lantern]

Greetings and welcome to CF, @Ionnaine. May you find good fellowship and godly encouragement here.

Hello. You might try starting a thread in The Ancient Way, which is the Orthodox subforum.
The Ancient Way - Eastern Orthodox

I agree with @USincognito.

 

[Anhelyna]

Welcome to CF Ionnaine

I think you are in for a very interesting time here.

I'm glad the suggestion was made that you should post asking for information in TAW - you will find they are a welcoming group there. I've been posting there for many years - indeed since I joined CF

 

[All4Christ]

So glad to see you posted in TAW! Welcome