Which Orthodox jurisdiction....

[CelticRebel]

are you a member of? The two closest to me are the Orthodox Church in America, and the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.

Can anyone tell me what the differences are, if any, between these two jurisdictions?

 

[Virgil the Roman]

.

 

[Antony in Tx]

I am a member of a Greek church, our priest is a Romanian, and I first attended an Antiochian church. We regularly have Pan Orthodox vespers with priests from OCA, GOARCH, Antiochian, and Western Rite churches praying together! The differences are really very minor and cosmetic.

 

[Jesus4Madrid]

The Orthodox Church is one. Any differences you might perceive will be of style, personality and culture. Visit both and decide which you like best. Both are great and have many converts from other Christian traditions.

 

[~Anastasia~]

are you a member of? The two closest to me are the Orthodox Church in America, and the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.

Can anyone tell me what the differences are, if any, between these two jurisdictions?

My parish is Greek.

As others have said, the Church is one. The differences are in some visual style, music composition, languages used, ethnic traditions, and sometimes vary between parishes in the same jurisdiction in some things.

I have found OCA and Antiochian to be very similar in some of the ones I have visited. The only differences in the ones I visited are that the OCA was sometimes slightly more Slavic-leaning (and that was probably the particular parishes I have visited and the people that happened to make them up - one OCA parish I visited was very much NOT ethnic). And that in OCA there were more headcoverings to varying degrees, and often no pews.

 

[CelticRebel]

My parish is Greek.

As others have said, the Church is one. The differences are in some visual style, music composition, languages used, ethnic traditions, and sometimes vary between parishes in the same jurisdiction in some things.

I have found OCA and Antiochian to be very similar in some of the ones I have visited. The only differences in the ones I visited are that the OCA was sometimes slightly more Slavic-leaning (and that was probably the particular parishes I have visited and the people that happened to make them up - one OCA parish I visited was very much NOT ethnic). And that in OCA there were more headcoverings to varying degrees, and often no pews.

Thanks for that!

 

[~Anastasia~]

Thanks for that!

You're welcome. I should say though that my experience is still limited. I've probably visited a lot of parishes for the length of time I've been Orthodox, but that's still a short time. And they've all been in the south-east quarter of the US.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I go to an OCA parish, which just means that it has an American/Russian flavor. the Antiochian parish I attend when I visit my folks I love, and it is the same message of salvation, same chalice, and the same Creed (to paraphrase Metropolitan Jonah).

 

[Shane R]

ROCOR is its own beast, but most of the rest are harmonious. And I was an Antiochian catechumen for some time.

 

[Virgil the Roman]

What about Rocor?

 

[ArmyMatt]

ROCOR is fine, they are just really conservative

 

[CelticRebel]

ROCOR is fine, they are just really conservative

What do you mean by conservative, in this context?

There was a ROCOR mission about 2 hours from here, in east central part of the state, but they have disbanded.

 

[ArmyMatt]

What do you mean by conservative, in this context?

There was a ROCOR mission about 2 hours from here, in east central part of the state, but they have disbanded.

they are usually more insistent on women in skirts and covering their heads, men having long sleeves in Church, no shirts with logos on them, etc. tis no big deal.

 

[CelticRebel]

they are usually more insistent on women in skirts and covering their heads, men having long sleeves in Church, no shirts with logos on them, etc. tis no big deal.

Don't you think that's legalistic? That kind of reminds me of some conservative Mennonites.

 

[ArmyMatt]

no, it's not a law, it's just something that defines ROCOR. an Antiochian priest who is clean shaven with his Khouria (wife) who has a blouse and pants are just as Orthodox as beards and ponytails.

 

[CelticRebel]

no, it's not a law, it's just something that defines ROCOR. an Antiochian priest who is clean shaven with his Khouria (wife) who has a blouse and pants are just as Orthodox as beards and ponytails.

Okay.

 

[ArmyMatt]

and when I say defines, I really mean it is something that is a part of ROCOR's typical piety (in general). defines is a bad word

 

[CelticRebel]

and when I say defines, I really mean it is something that is a part of ROCOR's typical piety (in general). defines is a bad word

I understand.

 

[All4Christ]

I go to an OCA parish, which just means that it has an American/Russian flavor. the Antiochian parish I attend when I visit my folks I love, and it is the same message of salvation, same chalice, and the same Creed (to paraphrase Metropolitan Jonah).

Same here...I personally prefer the American / Russian style of hymnography, but they all are the same faith. Despite the different groups, they are all one.

 

[~Anastasia~]

What do you mean by conservative, in this context?

There was a ROCOR mission about 2 hours from here, in east central part of the state, but they have disbanded.

When I was planning to travel, Father just told me I might find some parishes more familiar than others, and that ROCOR would be the least like our own. It's just a matter of style and piety though.

When I travel, people usually assume I'm OCA rather than Greek anyway.