Preparing for Chrismation

[Joseph Hazen]

Hello all,

So as of yesterday I am one week away from my Chrismation into the the Orthodox Church . I'm ridiculously excited and nervous.

I have this entire week off, and I thought I'd spend it trying to prepare myself for the Sacraments. My first confession is tomorrow, which is probably what I'm most worried about but also looking forward to getting back into (I'm coming from a Roman Catholic background). I've been reading through the Psalms at random times throughout the day, when it occurs to me. I always attend sixth hour prayer on Wednesdays and Vespers on Saturday, and was debating fasting for this week.

It sounds like more than I'm actually doing, lol. I know the dangers of becoming an over-zealous convert. Mainly I'm just wondering if y'all had advice or a any sort of "I wish I had done this before my Chrismation"?

 

[gzt]

Just do whatever your priest recommends.

Barring that, if you have the Jordanville prayerbook (don't bother going out and buying it right now if you don't), I like to do the canon of repentance before confession. Another thing to do is read and consider the funeral service (you can find that on the internets). Not pray it, of course, since you're not serving a funeral...

As for fasting, Wednesday and Friday are generally recommended (in general), but I'm not going to make any recommendations.

Follows your priest's recommendations for preparing for communion for this Sunday. Lacking any advice, see the Jordanville prayer book if you have it and read the service of preparation for communion. Otherwise, find something that works. Precommunion prayers can be found on the internets. Remember that you are not to eat and drink on Sunday morning before communing.

I have a web-log post somewhere where I offer advice for converts. Google around for it.

Now, purely practical advice for the actual ceremony: the priest will chrismate your forehead, the base of your neck, and the tops of your feet, among other things. So you will have to be barefoot for a while, should probably get your hair off your forehead, and should not wear a tie. Do not try to put your shoes back on until instructed to.

 

[Coralie]

Just listen to your priest. Be like a little child, be obedient and just take the whole thing in. It only happens once, so don't let it pass you by while you wonder whether you should fast more/etc. Your priest knows best, you don't need to worry about anything.

May God grant you many years

 

[gzt]

Also, the most important advice for a convert is not to be a ----head.

 

[Dorothea]

Awesome! God's guidance!

 

[Joseph Hazen]

Also, the most important advice for a convert is not to be a ----head.

...thanks?

Just listen to your priest. Be like a little child, be obedient and just take the whole thing in. It only happens once, so don't let it pass you by while you wonder whether you should fast more/etc. Your priest knows best, you don't need to worry about anything.

Thank you.

I think I might've given a wrong impression - these things are all sort of peripherals in my mind. I recognize that I need to listen to my priest more than strangers on the 'net. I meet with him tomorrow, and of course he has the final say on everything.

The day of I know is going to be a little stressful - I've got 15+ family members coming who aren't Orthodox, so I'll be worried about them getting on when I'm not sitting next to them all and helping them through the service book. Five kids under the age of three (my niece and nephews) will be there and I'm worried about how they'll act (they fight sometimes when they're together, which then gets my sisters into defending their kids and can turn family get togethers strained). My grandmother is highly sensitive to incense, so I'm worried about her. She's also upset that I'm leaving the Roman Catholic Church.

I have friends from the parish willing to stand with them, guide them through, and share the antidoron with them, and I honestly think it'll be ok and I'm just worrying too much - having my family there is worth the distraction/stress of the day.

But, I know that if I can prepare myself the whole week, I'll go into Sunday calmer and more able to focus on the Sacraments and Christ. That's the main reason for the 'preparations'.

Well, that and I have to have something to do with my excess energy this week, and we all know it's not going to be spent cleaning my apartment.

 

[Knee V]

Congratulations!

The more you pray, the more you'll learn to love God. The more you love God, the more you'll want to pray. So I wouldn't get an ulcer about prayer quite yet. With obedience to your priest's recommendations, it will all come to you in time.

Have you chosen a name yet? If so, do you mind sharing which saint?

 

[gzt]

I don't mean to imply that you are a ----head! But it's been a valuable piece of advice for me to think of at times. You don't want your new religion to be just another new way for you to be a ----head. Trust me, it will come in handy...

 

[Antony in Tx]

I think you hit the nail on the head when you said you need to use all the tools that you have been given to find a sense of calm and peace. This will be the thing that will help you most, and impress upon your family the most that this is the right thing for you. If you are at peace, they will see that.

 

[Joseph Hazen]

Congratulations!
Have you chosen a name yet? If so, do you mind sharing which saint?

Joseph, actually, for St. Joseph the Betrothed. He was my RC Confirmation saint too. I've always admired his trust in God to just get up and go to Egypt, to trust that Mary was carrying God's Son, to always be willing to trust in and follow God, no matter where it led or the hardships he had to endure.

My username is a pseudonym, and the Joseph comes from that.

 

[Michael G]

Many, many years.

 

[ArmyMatt]

yeah, just follow your priest and you should be fine. many years and welcome home (almost)!

 

[Giantsbran1227]

Welcome to the church.

I hope you know them. That was my advice to you before I came across you mentioning it.

I was 18 when I converted, very young (I still am), and dove in HEAD first. Instead of trying to walk up the ladder, I just figured I would try to start at the top. Well you do that, and the only way left is down, and that was soon where I went. I wish someone really drove this into me before I converted.... So please just take things slow. Know that this is a lifelong process.

I know the dangers of becoming an over-zealous convert. Mainly I'm just wondering if y'all had advice or a any sort of "I wish I had done this before my Chrismation"?

 

[MariaRegina]

My prayers.

God grant you many years.

From the Liturgy, we learn to "put aside all earthly cares," "be attentive," and focus on Christ our God. Do your best to be attentive to the moment, and everything should be fine.