You've gotten some good answers here - I knew you would.
I'm thinking you probably have a lot to think about.
I'm not sure what I can add that might be a different point, so forgive me if I repeat some of what you've already been told.
Hello everyone! First post here. I am not Orthodox, but started kind of looking into it a couple of months ago and so far, I'm finding everything I was looking for.
After seeing me go every week, dh (Baptist) decided to tag along. He left very confused and as he put it, "wierded out." Understandable, but no less disappointing. He compared the church to a cult, expressed the idea that he wouldn't want future children (we have none atm) to be members of that faith, asked "what I see in it, " and demanded to know what was "wrong with being Baptist?"
He did say that if it made me happy he wouldn't try to stop me, and asked some questions I'm hoping for answers or sources for here. Most of them, I never felt the need to ask myself or never wondered.
BTW, I'm of a mind to agree that a full-on Divine Liturgy is not the best service for a complete outsider to attend. And the jurisdiction can make a difference too. My husband has attended two services with me. The first was Agape Vespers at my Greek parish, but the vestments, censing (we came in late and got censed in the Narthex), large icons everywhere, and all that were overwhelming for him, as well as being "too Catholic". We later visited an OCA parish that was in a temporary Church, so most of the icons were small and just hanging on the walls, there was no procession with the entrance, and much of it was less formal and less foreign to him than the Greek - he actually enjoyed it somewhat.
1. Why do we do the same liturgy every Sunday? How can you get anything out of it if it's the same thing every time?
Jesus Christ! In the Eucharist! That is what I "get out of it" but I also find it a perfect atmosphere in which to pray, and worship God. There are so many things that have meaning, that as I learn more about them, I see the Gospel proclaimed throughout the Liturgy. But as others said, it's truly important to consider whether Church is something meant for us to "get something out of it" or whether it is something we do to worship God, in which case ... our preferences are not the most important factor.
I thought I would be bored with it, but I'm not. I'm actually saddened that our services have recently been shortened. They used to take pretty much 4 hours, and now - well, they've gotten much shorter. I wish they were long again. It's like being in Heaven - literally.
Incidentally, my SF has instructed me to read two new prayers every week (one morning, one evening) as part of my prayer rule. But within a short time I discovered that I had found my "favorites" that I don't like to abandon. So ... even if I say new ones, I will often add those same prayers over and over that I love so much, and concentrate on the meaning of the words as I pray them, because they PERFECTLY express everything I want to say to Christ, better than I can do on my own in my extemporaneous prayers.
2. If you were going to sing a hymn, what would you sing? (Not kidding, he asked me )
Is he thinking we don't sing hymns because he didn't recognize them? We sing hymns - some are the same week to week, and some are new. Some are special for certain times of year. I'd have to agree with the others, first, and say the Paschal Troparia. I used to sing it when I was alone.
But I also LOVE the Doxology, Save Us O Son of God, Enite, Hosanna in the Highest, One is Holy ... pretty much the entire Liturgy.
(and I may have some of the names wrong, but that's part of each song, translated in some cases).
3. Why do we sing and chant everything?
I think others gave you good answers. But I love the long "Lord have mercy"s that we sing ... it can help that sentiment to resound in your heart when not in Church.
4. How do I know this is a real church/that it's truly the original church? Like, how do I know the beliefs and practices are any more historically supported (older, closer to what Jesus taught) than Baptist?
Reading the Church Fathers, and also seeing how the Church services are connected to Jewish worship - which would have been the kind Jesus Himself experienced of course. That is better addressed by considering each belief and practice individually. It won't be a good answer for "everything" for most people.
5. If it were, then why are there all these other religions and what about their adherents, are they going to hell? Why would God do that?
I don't think God is responsible for all the different denominations. Christ prayed that we would all be one, as He and the Father are one. So ... I don't think this is God's will, actually. But our Church does not teach others go to hell. God will judge each person individually. It's not about which Church or denomination you belong to. As others have said, a devout person who never heard the Gospel and yet lived according to his conscience in love, and perhaps even honored the idea that there must be a God .... well, I'd much rather be THAT person at the judgment than risk being someone who might have been baptized Orthodox, but spent their lives going their own way and never living their faith. But our Church does not condemn anyone to hell. That is NOT our place!!!
6. Why do people touch the priests robes and kiss his hand?
That's been explained, I think. It might be worth knowing that it is not something one MUST do. In many places they don't touch the robes at all, or very few people might. I've also met priests who don't want their hands kissed. Often they may be holding a Cross to be kissed. Please don't think it's something that is demanded, though. BTW, there's a recent thread here on hand-kissing that might explain somewhat.
7. If not once saved, always saved, then what?
As others have said, that was not a teaching of the Church. It was one of the main things that led me to question what I'd been taught. Why was Paul talking about "being disqualified" and how he would struggle, and run the race? Why are there Scriptures that talk about the need to persevere in order to be saved? And so on. It's not as though God is looking for an excuse to kick us out (I've been in denominations that taught that too). No, He desires all to be saved, and will do all we allow Him to do to help us. But it IS our job to cooperate, and to submit to Him. If we reject Him, He won't deny us our choice.
But a parish priest, speaking to a parishioner - and sometimes even a monastic father - will advise a person that as long as they get up every time they fall and keep on with the intent to follow Christ, that is what is needed. As long as we repent, and sincerely follow God, love Him and each other, then we are being saved.
In fact, it was the understanding on this that I got from the Orthodox Church that was the biggest reason for me embracing the Church. To be honest, the Baptist understanding I was raised with - essentially (forgive me, and I hope I don't offend anyone) ... but it essentially told me that God the Father was so angry with my sins that He could barely restrain Himself from destroying me, and indeed, WOULD destroy me, except that Christ in my stead was punished by Him, and went on to stand between me and an angry Father, keeping me safe. That puts Christ at odds with the Father, and that can NEVER be.
In Orthodoxy, I encountered a loving and patient God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - Who desires me to be saved. My sin is like a sickness that I need to be healed of, and as long as I take the medicine He gives me, I am being healed, and He is delighted as a loving Father to see me becoming whole. There is no desire to crush me like a bug, or disgust at my sorry state. Rather God as my Father was grieved to see me making myself sicker and is now pleased to give me healing medicine (and some of that medicine IS bitter at times) ... but like any Father, He wants to have His children healed, whole, and with Him in love. That was SO different for me, that when I finally really comprehended it, I finally understood the depth of love that God has for me, I couldn't resist, and I can't help but love Him in return.
I never would have admitted it, but the truth is that "other God" was one I was rather wanting to stay away from, and happy to hide behind Jesus. Maybe others don't get the same sense as I did, but I was ok with the Holy Spirit, and with Christ, but I never quite trusted God the Father ... and that is not right. God forgive me. And thankfully I don't have such a wrong understanding anymore.
