Returning to the Orthodox faith?

[Gxg (G²)]

Word on the street is Tom's been distancing himself from Scientology himself now for some time, and he may have made a public "split" from the leaders and "church" a little while ago following his divorce from Katie. In fact, I think it was just last week one of those entertainment shows was doing an exposé on Cruise's "getting in touch with his Irish roots" FWIW. Maybe he'll suddenly become an Irish Catholic.

 

[truthseeker32]

When I look deep into Catholic spirituality and the lives of the saints, and forgive the mistakes of the institution, I don't find anything missing in Catholicism that I need from Eastern Orthodoxy. I am just trying to be honest and I am sorry if that offends anyone. I have no intention to proselytize. I am just speaking from my own human and therefore limited perspective.

I don't think that anyone would doubt the spiritual strengths of either Orthodoxy or Roman Catholicism; however, there is something to be said for seeking truth for truth's sake. If the RCC and EOC were identical in every way on paper but one, intellectual honesty would dictate that we side with the more true option. If neither seems more true to you, then I hope the best for you in your journey.

 

[Yoder777]

I am sorry to anyone I may have offended in this thread. I am thankful for the help that forum members have given in sorting out my issues. Though I may not return to Eastern Orthodoxy, I have made peace with it and have repaired the relationships that were lost when I left the Orthodox Church. I am thankful for that. I may not have had the courage to do that if not for the advice that I received in this forum.

 

[ArmyMatt]

prayers for you on your journey dude!

 

[Yoder777]

Thank you. Please keep in mind, I still intend on learning from the spiritual tradition of Eastern Orthodoxy for the benefit of my prayer life. I purchased a book by a Catholic priest on Eastern Christian prayer who later converted to Orthodoxy before he died.

Prayer of the Heart: The Contemplative Tradition of the Christian East (Revised): George Maloney: 9781594711831: Amazon.com: Books

 

[Gxg (G²)]

Thank you. Please keep in mind, I still intend on learning from the spiritual tradition of Eastern Orthodoxy for the benefit of my prayer life. I purchased a book by a Catholic priest on Eastern Christian prayer who later converted to Orthodoxy before he died.

Prayer of the Heart: The Contemplative Tradition of the Christian East (Revised): George Maloney: 9781594711831: Amazon.com: Books

You may be interested in what OrthoCath said best (recommended by the Jewish Orthodox individual married to a Melkite Catholic whom I noted earlier in #127 ):

• What Can Orthodox and Catholics Teach Each Other? | Orthocath

 

[Yoder777]

That is a good article. One of Pope Benedict's desires was to restore reverence to the mass.

 

[Yoder777]

There was a few weeks recently when I was attending liturgy at my old church with the intention of possibility returning to the Orthodox faith. The most comforting thing the priest told me is "We honestly don't need you." The last thing I'd want is for someone to want me to be Orthodox or Catholic or any religion just to have another butt in the pew. He understood my situation, in how I was sort of testing the waters, and I can honestly now say that it's not out of bad feelings against Orthodoxy that I would choose not to be Orthodox.

 

[MariaRegina]

That is similar to what a Catholic priest told me.

While still a Catholic, I told him that I was seriously thinking of becoming an Orthodox Christian because I was having serious difficulties believing in Papal Infallibility and in Papal Supremacy. This Catholic Priest was a Russian Eastern Catholic Priest.

He told me, like dropping a water balloon over my head, "Why don't you become Orthodox?"

Well, I did.

Years later, he told me that he was trying to make me decide because that phase of indecision was causing me so much pain. He was praying and hoping that I would come to my senses and stay Catholic for the sake of my husband who wanted to remain Catholic. However, my son really wanted to become Orthodox because he trusted married priests, and then my husband changed his mind and decided to become Orthodox. So, I gladly embraced my husband, we approached the OCA priest, and our entire family was received as catechumens all within one month.

 

[Yoder777]

I still have to resolve the situation of being married to a Protestant and in which church our children will be raised. For the time being, I will just put it in God's hands. Both Orthodox and Catholic priests have told me that it's a bad idea to push it on her and instead I should just be a good example myself and let God do the rest.

 

[Gxg (G²)]

That is similar to what a Catholic priest told me.

While still a Catholic, I told him that I was seriously thinking of becoming an Orthodox Christian because I was having serious difficulties believing in Papal Infallibility and in Papal Supremacy. This Catholic Priest was a Russian Eastern Catholic Priest.

He told me, like dropping a water balloon over my head, "Why don't you become Orthodox?"

Well, I did.

Years later, he told me that he was trying to make me decide because that phase of indecision was causing me so much pain. He was praying and hoping that I would come to my senses and stay Catholic for the sake of my husband who wanted to remain Catholic. However, my son really wanted to become Orthodox because he trusted married priests, and then my husband changed his mind and decided to become Orthodox. So, I gladly embraced my husband, we approached the OCA priest, and our entire family was received as catechumens all within one month.

Wild

But amazing story to keep in mind

 

[Antony in Tx]

I still have to resolve the situation of being married to a Protestant and in which church our children will be raised. For the time being, I will just put it in God's hands. Both Orthodox and Catholic priests have told me that it's a bad idea to push it on her and instead I should just be a good example myself and let God do the rest.

Yoder, your children with be raised in the church that is the home created by you and your wife. If you display good love and kindness for one another, and pray, fast, and participate in the Holy Mysteries, your children will see and they will grow in their faith. The building where they go on specified days will matter far less than what they are exposed to in the way of how you and your wife live on a day to day basis.

 

[Yoder777]

Yoder, your children with be raised in the church that is the home created by you and your wife. If you display good love and kindness for one another, and pray, fast, and participate in the Holy Mysteries, your children will see and they will grow in their faith. The building where they go on specified days will matter far less than what they are exposed to in the way of how you and your wife live on a day to day basis.

I can agree with that. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Yoder777]

http://www.christianforums.com/t7741243/#post62920336

If anyone would like to continue this conversation, I've made a new thread in the Catholic forum. Please keep in mind, I've had no intention to proselytize for any denomination or religious organization, and I am thankful for all the help that I've received in making peace with the Orthodox faith.

 

[Gxg (G²)]

http://www.christianforums.com/t7741243/#post62920336

If anyone would like to continue this conversation, I've made a new thread in the Catholic forum. Please keep in mind, I've had no intention to proselytize for any denomination or religious organization, and I am thankful for all the help that I've received in making peace with the Orthodox faith.

Praying for you on your journey with the Lord...

 

[MoreCoffee]

http://www.christianforums.com/t7741243/#post62920336

If anyone would like to continue this conversation, I've made a new thread in the Catholic forum. Please keep in mind, I've had no intention to proselytize for any denomination or religious organization, and I am thankful for all the help that I've received in making peace with the Orthodox faith.

The new thread seems rather good so far.

 

[Yoder777]

I attended services at the Salvation Army for over a year. My wife and I got married there. They have family activities and do a lot of good for the poor. They have an almost perfect blend of traditional Biblical teachings and openness to the modern world. The only thing that prevented me from staying is that they don't practice the sacraments. If you've already received the Eucharist, not as a symbol but as the real presence of Christ, it's hard not to come back to it.

 

[Gxg (G²)]

This time around, I don't plan on insisting on Orthodoxy as the one true church, at least not when relating to people outside the Orthodox faith. It may not sound possible to some, but one can be devoutly Orthodox and non-sectarian at the same time.
.

If interested,

I recently was blessed to hear Dr. Peter Bouteneff of St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary entitled The Sectarian Mindset - very powerful when it comes to the dynamic of communication and how sensitive it can be...