Where would you move if you had a virtual job as an Orthodox man? Russia, Romania, etc.?

[SingularityOne]

Curious since after some reflection I’ve been thinking moving to somewhere where there’s a higher Orthodox population would be better outside the US.

My job allows me to be remote. Curious about y’all’s experience, advice here.

 

[prodromos]

Greece!

 

[ArmyMatt]

may I ask what happened that caused this thought?

but to answer, my vote would be Georgia.

 

[abacabb3]

I think any Orthodox country is sure to disappoint. Not only are they poor, but no such country is the Orthodox version of South Carolina with massive church attendance and etcetera. I'd probably choose Romania or Bulgaria, the idea would be to attach myself to a solid monastery.

 

[gzt]

I'd suggest moving to a major city in the US with some Orthodox presence.

 

[SingularityOne]

may I ask what happened that caused this thought?

but to answer, my vote would be Georgia.

Just think that going somewhere where it’s higher Orthodox population would be best if I want to find someone to marry. I think if I stay here I’m gonna have to convert someone.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I think if I stay here I’m gonna have to convert someone.

you wouldn’t be the first. but there is a decent amount of Orthodox singles as well.

 

[E.C.]

Manage your expectations. Orthodox observance in America is NOT the same as Orthodox observance in other countries. From what I gather it is just as much a cultural identifier with just as many Christmas and Easter attendees as any other church in the USA.

Personally? I'd go for Georgia. From what I've seen Georgians are more welcoming, hospitable, and least chauvinistic. Plus there is at least one English-language Liturgy somewhere in Tbilisi.

 

[prodromos]

Personally? I'd go for Georgia. From what I've seen Georgians are more welcoming, hospitable, and least chauvinistic. Plus there is at least one English-language Liturgy somewhere in Tbilisi.

Corruption is rife among the police in Georgia. Expect to get pulled over and potentially charged for some fabricated infraction which evaporates on payment of a bribe.

Georgia is supposed to be incredibly beautiful, and the wine in Georgia is among the best in the world, not that they would be reasons for Orthodox to go there

 

[SingularityOne]

you wouldn’t be the first. but there is a decent amount of Orthodox singles as well.

It comes down to attraction at that point though… most of the women that are Orthodox (if I’m attracted to them) are already married or are dating someone already haha

 

[ArmyMatt]

It comes down to attraction at that point though… most of the women that are Orthodox (if I’m attracted to them) are already married or are dating someone already haha

that’s why all those retreats and conferences of like minded Orthodox are handy

 

[SingularityOne]

that’s why all those retreats and conferences of like minded Orthodox are handy

Yeah, I’m trying to go to them all. Who’s h ones do you know of other than the Connect Conference?

 

[ArmyMatt]

Yeah, I’m trying to go to them all. Who’s h ones do you know of other than the Connect Conference?

why not OCAMPR?

 

[SingularityOne]

why not OCAMPR?

You’re right. Usually don’t lump that in with Young Adult stuff… but, I need to go this year because that’s my field/profession, haha.

 

[ArmyMatt]

You’re right. Usually don’t lump that in with Young Adult stuff… but, I need to go this year because that’s my field/profession, haha.

yep, and it’s a good way to network and meet folks.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I need to go this year because that’s my field/profession, haha.

and, I dare say, keep going for formal stuff within your profession. you might meet someone who isn’t Orthodox, but is seeking.

 

[SingularityOne]

and, I dare say, keep going for formal stuff within your profession. you might meet someone who isn’t Orthodox, but is seeking.

Yeah, that's a good point. There are a lot of new-age people in my field that I think are more receptive than some heterodox sects.

 

[rusmeister]

I lived in Russia for the better part of thirty years and left it.
You’re not going to find an Orthodox “Shangri-La”.

I imagine that for many, the experience is normal of going through a period of euphoria of being with a bunch of people who think like you, and over the years slowly coming to see that they don’t actually think like you, or at least, in quite a number of things you and others see the Faith in different ways. I suppose it’s a matter of chance and degree the extent to which people differ. It’s a little like marriage. The euphoria of the honeymoon and the first two years with the image of an ideal spouse is slowly replaced by a more difficult, complex, and messy picture of another person with their own problems, passions, and issues.

For me, that gradual realization led to seeing people in my church attack each other, one, for example, defending same-sex relations and adoption and another attacking the first but himself defending adultery, and of seeing a LOT of divorces, including one where the young adult son of one such married the newly-divorced mother of another family in the church (these families all had 4-6 kids of the same age, the children of the woman must look at their friend as a “father-in-law”), of the freshly-deceased priest’s wife swiftly temarrying a friend of said priest, etc. I came to see that I really knew little of what the people standing around me reciting the Creed believed, but that we sure didn’t believe the same moral teachings.

And another country is a drastic move, with prices to be paid. I now regret that my kids grew up largely Russian, and while they speak fluent English, appear to be on a path to be scattered around the globe. Sure, I saved my marriage and the family, I learned other languages and perspectives, but I lost all rootedness, in both my native and my adopted culture. I now think, that while a couple of adventurous years of travel are to be recommended, it is best, certainly for most people, to strive to stick to one’s roots, and encourage any children to do the same.

Work remotely if you must, but it’s not ideal. Getting to know your neighbors, having local and live friends, etc, is far more valuable.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Yeah, that's a good point. There are a lot of new-age people in my field that I think are more receptive than some heterodox sects.

yep, so Orthodoxy’s understanding of mental health might intrigue a few

 

[ArmyMatt]

You’re not going to find an Orthodox “Shangri-La”.

correct, not at least until after our Lord returns