What is the difference between Orthodox churches??

Hey Christy!
I think it's wonderful that you are willing to explore beyond the bounds of the faith you were raised in. Even if you decide to remain a Catholic, your understanding of your own faith can only be enriched by the kind of path you are on.

I just went to my first Orthodox service this past Sunday. It was at an OCA mission, and they were all very welcoming. My 3 year old, who is normally very clingy in new situations, made himself right at home--it was amazing.

Christy4Christ said:

But is there an outreach to other people? I have always seen the Orthodox churches as being like a sort of click, they don't really welcome anyone new and to me it doesn't look they they actually go out looking for anyone new. It could be that I am wrong about that because I don't know enough about it. It seems though if you are not Greek or not Romanian or whatever the case may be, that you are not accepted.

This is another thing I have been questioning about my own church so this is not a slam against Orthodoxy;what about being fishers of men? What happened to that? This bothers me so much, I am searching for answers.

Are there any type of Orthodox outreach type missions or anything like that where they strive to bring on conversion? Or are they pretty comfortable with just the people they already have??

Click to expand...

Hi Christy
This was one of my questions also so I am glad you asked it!

------------------------------------------------
--Sarah

Note on my faith icon: I'm using the "non denominational" one because I have not yet found a denomination or church that I feel comfortable in after my experience with the Episcopal Church. I am reading a lot and exploring the Catholic and Orthodox traditions as well as Protestant churches. I don't want to mislead anyone about what my perspective is.

Hi Christy and Sarah:

I think there is a perception that Orthodox Churches generally don't participate on outreach. In one sense, that has some truth to it, but it is changing rapidly.

Keep in mind that for many, many years, the Orthodox Church was what one historian called "The Church in Captivity". In the middle east, it was oppressed by Muslim rulers, and subject to close scrutiny and terrible retribution under Islamic law. In Russia, of course, it bore the main brunt of the communist rule. In the twentieth century alone, it is estimated that as many as 100 million Orthodox were martyred worldwide, by communists and muslims. In many respects, the Church was fighting for survival, which is a posture that doesn't encourage great outreach programs. However, the very survival of the Church under those conditions is a testament to the work of the Holy Spirit and the promise of the Lord that the gates of Hell would not prevail against His Church.

In the United States, the problem was compounded for many years by the fact that most Orthodox Churches served immigrant communities. It was a slice of home for people who missed their homes, and it was probably true that this tended to produce a relatively closed Church, at least in some respects.

All of that has changed drastically, especially over the last 20 years or so. As converts flood into the Church, its sense of outreach and mission has grown. Nowadays, there are foreign missions supported by American Orthodox, there are numerous outreach efforts at home, and many, many programs that extend the loving hand of God to those outside the Church. For example, the Orthodox Churches in Atlanta all cooperate in gathering food and running a food ministry out of a parish which is located in the downtown area.

So, in a sense, the old perceptions of a closed church had some validity. But I don't think it is generally true anymore.

Hope this helps.

In Christ,

James

I attend a Greek Orthodox Church, and I must admit I was very hesitant to go the first time because of the ethnic question. When I first attended I was greeted and warmly accepted by virtually everyone. Although I was asked by a few people if I was Greek. I just kind of laughed told them sort of since I am Irish-German, but do have a little Greek heritage on my Father's side. Anyways, the cultural/ethnic question is definitely something one should be concerned about.

Yes Christ you have it correct. Another difference not noted yet by my fellow Orthodox is the Typikons in use may be different. The OCA and other Slavic Churches use the Typikon of St Sava. The other Churches (Greek, Antiochian) use the GreatTypikon.

The typikons are the order of services used in the Church. The blueprint for the Divine Liturgy so to speak you can find an interesting article on the differences here:
http://www.holy-trinity.org/liturgics/krivoshein-greekandrussian.html

Hello Christy! A few words about outreach. Orthodox never forgot the commandment to preach the Gospel. In XIX century the Russian Church founded missions in Korea, China, Japan (this one is especially succesful) as well as among Muslim and pagan nations of the Russian Empire. Today there are Orthodox missions in Africa and Indonesia. And even "traditionally Orthodox" countries such as Russia need to rediscover their faith -- [thread=98000]here[/thread] I've posted some information about mission in Russia