pulled to eastern orthodox beliefs?

[Zaidagal]

Hi everyone! I am a roman catholic but have read some material recently that seriously appeals to me...certain beliefs of the eastern orthodox churches.....I am far more in line with their view of "grace" than with the traditional augustinian/western views...I love their concept of "theosis", and I even appreciate their belief that we can pray for those in Hell....(there is hope for them to be united with God at end times).....I'm starting to feel guilty......

(btw - 2 weird things - I had to re sign up for forum as I forgot my password.....AND it seems to be a whole new site/structure???)

 

[Tallguy88]

We upgraded the site software about 2 months ago.

If you start a thread in the Member Services Center, they can help you recover your old account

 

[Tallguy88]

As to your question, you can believe in Theosis and the Eastern understanding of grace and still be a good Catholic. We actually have Eastern Rite Catholic Churches which are fully Catholic under the Pope, but believe and worship more like Orthodox than Roman Catholics. You might see if there is an Eastern Catholic Church near where you live.

This link can help you locate Eastern Catholic parishes

 

[ALoveDivine]

I also share the eastern theological/spiritual outlook and am a Catholic. The position of the Catholic Church is that the differences between us and the EO are primarily ecclesiastical, and we do not differ in the essential substance of the faith. If I'm not mistaken, we as Catholics are free to hold to an eastern spirituality, even within the Latin rite.

 

[Colin]

As to your question, you can believe in Theosis and the Eastern understanding of grace and still be a good Catholic. We actually have Eastern Rite Catholic Churches which are fully Catholic under the Pope, but believe and worship more like Orthodox than Roman Catholics. You might see if there is an Eastern Catholic Church near where you live.

This link can help you locate Eastern Catholic parishes

I am interested in learning about the "Eastern outlook" on things spiritual . Do you know of any good sources for study as long as it's not too deep ?

 

[LivingWordUnity]

Hi everyone! I am a roman catholic but have read some material recently that seriously appeals to me...certain beliefs of the eastern orthodox churches.....I am far more in line with their view of "grace" than with the traditional augustinian/western views...I love their concept of "theosis", and I even appreciate their belief that we can pray for those in Hell....(there is hope for them to be united with God at end times).....I'm starting to feel guilty......

(btw - 2 weird things - I had to re sign up for forum as I forgot my password.....AND it seems to be a whole new site/structure???)

Roman Catholics believe in theosis, too. It's important though to remember that our divinization is only possible in and through Christ when He allows us to be partakers in His divinity by us joining ourselves to His mystical body which is the Church. If you are feeling an attraction to eastern liturgy and traditions you don't have to go EO since the Catholic Church has eastern Catholics.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

"The Orthodox Church" by Timothy Kallistos Ware, "For the Life of the World" by Father Schmemann, anything by Father Thomas Hopko, "The Primacy of Peter" by Father John Meyendorff (this book basically converted me to Orthodoxy...

I am interested in learning about the "Eastern outlook" on things spiritual . Do you know of any good sources for study as long as it's not too deep ?

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

I dabbled five months in Eastern Catholicism after the fiasco at my Orthodox Church not knowing where we'd go or land in such a period of confusion. The Eastern Catholics were kind, welcoming, and helpful....but they are very Latinized. I see a huge difference between ECism and Orthodoxy...mindset, liturgical, and other things.

 

[RileyG]

I, a faithful Roman Rite Catholic, am very drawn to Orthodoxy because of their beautiful prayers, liturgy, icons etc. They are very mystical. I am still learning much about Orthodoxy and I still have to learn about my own faith.

That being said; the most "latinzied" Eastern Catholics would either the Maronites or Chaldeans..it's a shame they cannot keep their own beautiful, ancient tradition.

 

[Antoninus]

Try finding an Eastern Catholic parish. Despite what some may tell you here, they are not all filled with latinizations. Also I thought it was forbidden to steer people away from the Catholic Church in OBOB. I certainly wouldn't go to TAW and try to get Orthodox to join the Catholic Church. It is just common respect.

 

[GoingByzantine]

I am Catholic, and Eastern.

 

[Colin]

"The Orthodox Church" by Timothy Kallistos Ware, "For the Life of the World" by Father Schmemann, anything by Father Thomas Hopko, "The Primacy of Peter" by Father John Meyendorff (this book basically converted me to Orthodoxy...

Thanks . I have found two links , one to "For the Life of the World" and one to some lectures by Fr Thomas Hopko , but I have no intention of leaving the Catholic Church .
http://ixoyc.net/data/Fathers/162.pdf
http://www.ancientfaith.com/specials/hopko_lectures

 

[mark46]

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

I also share the eastern theological/spiritual outlook and am a Catholic. The position of the Catholic Church is that the differences between us and the EO are primarily ecclesiastical, and we do not differ in the essential substance of the faith.
If I'm not mistaken, we as Catholics are free to hold to an eastern spirituality, even within the Latin rite.

Somewhat like a "hybrid" Christian?

Mat 8:11
“And I say to you that many will come from east[EO] and west[RC], and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven."

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Nobody's doing any such thing. I frequently recommend people stay Catholic or EC. Depends on what a person believes.

Try finding an Eastern Catholic parish. Despite what some may tell you here, they are not all filled with latinizations. Also I thought it was forbidden to steer people away from the Catholic Church in OBOB. I certainly wouldn't go to TAW and try to get Orthodox to join the Catholic Church. It is just common respect.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

I'm not saying you should leave despite my beliefs.

Thanks . I have found two links , one to "For the Life of the World" and one to some lectures by Fr Thomas Hopko , but I have no intention of leaving the Catholic Church .
http://ixoyc.net/data/Fathers/162.pdf
http://www.ancientfaith.com/specials/hopko_lectures

 

[Colin]

I'm not saying you should leave despite my beliefs.

That's fine . I didn't intend to imply that you were .

My words were said with tongue in cheek .

 

[Zaidagal]

Thanks everyone for all the responses - lots of great resources - much appreciated!

 

[Isaac32]

Hi everyone! I am a roman catholic but have read some material recently that seriously appeals to me...certain beliefs of the eastern orthodox churches.....I am far more in line with their view of "grace" than with the traditional augustinian/western views...I love their concept of "theosis", and I even appreciate their belief that we can pray for those in Hell....(there is hope for them to be united with God at end times).....I'm starting to feel guilty......

(btw - 2 weird things - I had to re sign up for forum as I forgot my password.....AND it seems to be a whole new site/structure???)

Hello Zaidagal,

As someone who deliberated for years about whether to become Catholic in communion with Rome, or Eastern Orthodox, I understand the appeal of both traditions and how challenging it can be to determine where one ought to go. I wish you well in your journey and I will pray for you. If you ever have any questions, I would be happy to discuss them with you.

Also, a few points of clarification, Orthodoxy distinguishes between sheol and gehenna, which are both confusingly referred to as hell sometimes. We certainly pray for the souls of those in sheol, and we believe that nobody is currently, or will be in gehenna until the final judgment, but those in gehenna are there for good, unfortunately.

Finally, a word of advice: as you learn more about Catholicism and Orthodoxy, it is very important that you read the best books and arguments each side has to offer, because there are a lot of bad apolegetic and reactionary works out there on both sides. Don't settle for the brief, one page internet summaries. Read the good books. I recommend You are Peter by Olivier Clement, which has a foreword from Avery Cardinal Dulles.