questions from a struggling RC

[Principal Moo]

Hi everyone! I'm hoping you can help me...I'm an adult convert to RC (6 years now!) and I love my faith. (I would respectfully ask that the discussion stay respectful to it, if thats ok)...I believe in the real presence, I adore the saints, I love the liturgy and all of the sacraments, and yes, I love my Pope...however Ive been exploring the orthodox faith - after discovering Saint Maria of Paris, and starting to read Ware's "The Orthodox Faith"...I'm also in a state of deep remorse re the current RC scandals and wondering if I need to change paths...so - my questions!

1) Can someone explain VERY simply how the west and eastern churches split (and I do mean simply lol - every article I start to read bores me within 30 seconds....)
2)As an eastern orthodox can one still believe the RC Church is a valid Church with real sacraments, and have a great respect for the Pope?
3)How does someone who is not russian/greek/lithuanian etc "choose" a church and become a member? What happens on a given Sunday when someone is nowhere near an eastern orthodox church?
4)I am a very hopeful universalist - is that acceptable?
5) Is there a "catechism" - Im finding trouble finding a statement of belief such as we have in the RC Church?

THANKS and blessings!

It looks like you got great answers from everyone else. I do want to make a quick comment about the ethnic churches: I was a Roman Catholic for years before moving to Hanoi, Vietnam. I married a Catholic and began having a desire to convert to Orthodoxy, but my wife forbade it. So, I prayed about it for three years and she finally accepted my wishes. I found that there were no Orthodox churches in Hanoi, but there is a big Russian community and they arrange for a Russian priest to visit every few months. When Father next visited, he agreed to meet with me and I was accepted into the Church that night. That was two years ago.

I share this story because I would want you to keep an open mind about visiting different churches. I have heard that ethnicity can be a problem in some areas, but the Russian community here has embraced me as one of their own. They are my family and they look out for me when we have Divine Liturgy. Even though we cannot really speak with one another, we do have a bond that I would probably never have if I were in an English-speaking church.

I will pray for you. As I said, I was a Roman Catholic and I found my way home. Feel free to send me a private message if you have any questions for a Catholic convert.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Frankly I still marvel that there are ANY Christians in commie Vietnam. Communist atheist anti-Christian government that stifles faith like China. The fact that you guys have any room to breathe as Christians truly gives me hope. Living under the hammer and sickle, I'd think you guys would have to worship old school on the literal underground!

It looks like you got great answers from everyone else. I do want to make a quick comment about the ethnic churches: I was a Roman Catholic for years before moving to Hanoi, Vietnam. I married a Catholic and began having a desire to convert to Orthodoxy, but my wife forbade it. So, I prayed about it for three years and she finally accepted my wishes. I found that there were no Orthodox churches in Hanoi, but there is a big Russian community and they arrange for a Russian priest to visit every few months. When Father next visited, he agreed to meet with me and I was accepted into the Church that night. That was two years ago.

I share this story because I would want you to keep an open mind about visiting different churches. I have heard that ethnicity can be a problem in some areas, but the Russian community here has embraced me as one of their own. They are my family and they look out for me when we have Divine Liturgy. Even though we cannot really speak with one another, we do have a bond that I would probably never have if I were in an English-speaking church.

I will pray for you. As I said, I was a Roman Catholic and I found my way home. Feel free to send me a private message if you have any questions for a Catholic convert.

 

[Principal Moo]

Frankly I still marvel that there are ANY Christians in commie Vietnam. Communist atheist anti-Christian government that stifles faith like China. The fact that you guys have any room to breathe as Christians truly gives me hope. Living under the hammer and sickle, I'd think you guys would have to worship old school on the literal underground!

It’s true that it is difficult to be a Christian here, especially for Vietnamese (they can’t advance in government work if they are Christian). But, there a lot of Christians here. The expat community has a huge Protestant group that my wife joins every Sunday. When I was Catholic, I would attend Mass with the Vietnamese and it was standing room only in the huge cathedral. The government seems to take a “practice your faith but don’t try to convert anyone” approach.

 

[All4Christ]

To expand on what was said earlier:

People absolutely can love and honor God in churches other than the Orthodox Church. Salvation is not limited to those baptized in the Orthodox Church. Salvation is not guaranteed to those baptized in the Orthodox Church. It’s not our place to judge the salvation of other individuals. I don’t think Fr Matt is disputing that. (Feel free to correct me Fr, if I’m wrong).

The reality is that we believe the fullness of truth is in Orthodoxy. The Orthodox Church is the same Church established by Christ.

However, like my priest said, I didn’t abandon my childhood faith when I became Orthodox. Becoming Orthodox was the fulfillment of my faith.

 

[Moses Medina]

But are any in spanish?

No seriously I tried searching and am not coming up with any answers online. Its a wonder I completed my Bachelors as I am terrible with online searching.

Absolutely there are Orthodox services in English. Mine (Orthodox Church of America) is completely English. Many Antiochian ones are completely English. Many Greek ones have a good portion of English. I recommend the OCA or Antiochian churches, especially due to language and understanding of converts and Theo backgrounds. (That said, there are many converts in other jurisdictions as well. I just had an easier time with a fully English service and love my parish.)

 

[All4Christ]

But are any in spanish?

No seriously I tried searching and am not coming up with any answers online. Its a wonder I completed my Bachelors as I am terrible with online searching.

In America? I haven’t heard of it in America, though if the language of the area was predominantly Spanish, then it may have that. We do sing the Lord Have Mercy is Spanish sometimes (along with a variety of languages) and we read John 1 in Spanish on Pascha along with other languages of people who are in our parish.

 

[All4Christ]

But are any in spanish?

No seriously I tried searching and am not coming up with any answers online. Its a wonder I completed my Bachelors as I am terrible with online searching.

This isn’t exactly what you were searching for, but it looks like an interesting resource:

Spanish Liturgical Texts

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Well we're counting on the Moo Master to do some secret underground, behind-the-scenes conversions then! (wink wink)

It’s true that it is difficult to be a Christian here, especially for Vietnamese (they can’t advance in government work if they are Christian). But, there a lot of Christians here. The expat community has a huge Protestant group that my wife joins every Sunday. When I was Catholic, I would attend Mass with the Vietnamese and it was standing room only in the huge cathedral. The government seems to take a “practice your faith but don’t try to convert anyone” approach.

 

[ArmyMatt]

But are any in spanish?

No seriously I tried searching and am not coming up with any answers online. Its a wonder I completed my Bachelors as I am terrible with online searching.

yes, as you get closer to the Mexican border, a lot of parishes which have Mexican American converts will use Spanish.

 

[Principal Moo]

Well we're counting on the Moo Master to do some secret underground, behind-the-scenes conversions then! (wink wink)

I will definitely talk to anyone about my beliefs, but I am more of a live-my-faith-and-hope-people-inquire kind of guy.

To give an example (and to solicit prayers): my previous supervisor was just diagnosed with ALS. We had a retirement dinner for him last week, and during the dinner, I had an opportunity to chat with him away from everyone. He told me that this experience has led to him searching for God and he was hoping that he and I could meet soon to discuss it. I never really discuss my beliefs with anyone, so it was kind of shocking.

I ask for prayers for both his health and his conversion.

 

[Davidnic]

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[gurneyhalleck1]

Praise God!!! I hope he can convert!!

I will definitely talk to anyone about my beliefs, but I am more of a live-my-faith-and-hope-people-inquire kind of guy.

To give an example (and to solicit prayers): my previous supervisor was just diagnosed with ALS. We had a retirement dinner for him last week, and during the dinner, I had an opportunity to chat with him away from everyone. He told me that this experience has led to him searching for God and he was hoping that he and I could meet soon to discuss it. I never really discuss my beliefs with anyone, so it was kind of shocking.

I ask for prayers for both his health and his conversion.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I will definitely talk to anyone about my beliefs, but I am more of a live-my-faith-and-hope-people-inquire kind of guy.

To give an example (and to solicit prayers): my previous supervisor was just diagnosed with ALS. We had a retirement dinner for him last week, and during the dinner, I had an opportunity to chat with him away from everyone. He told me that this experience has led to him searching for God and he was hoping that he and I could meet soon to discuss it. I never really discuss my beliefs with anyone, so it was kind of shocking.

I ask for prayers for both his health and his conversion.

may this bear good fruit! prayers for him!