why convert to orthodox christianity

The collapse of the Roman Empire created a power vacuum that was increasingly filled by the growing power of the Roman papacy. Eastern Christians would hear nothing of it. For such a question presupposes a particular person's journey of faith. Orthodoxy allows divorce in some conditions if I'm not mistaken, and it would have been an easier transition to switch to another powerful church (and become friendly with Russia, etc.). Now, the question stands: If one is convinced that Orthodox Christianity possess the fullness of truth and is God . Q&A: A closer look at Orthodox Christians. In the security of the Orthodox Church one finds peace, reassurance. Like baptism, the Eucharist is administered to infants. The priest censes them and elevates them in processions. As former Campus Crusade staff member Gillquist put it, why have so many "Bible-believing, blood-bought, Gospel-preaching, Christ-centered, lifelong evangelical Protestants come to embrace this Orthodox faith so enthusiastically?" There most certainly will never be a "Southern" or "Confederate" Orthodoxy".And yet another reason not to join is the hopes of having a base of operations for a goofy political ideology. The West used unleavened bread, the East did not. The Orthodox Churches are united in faith and by a common approach to theology, tradition, and worship. In this Orthodox view, Scripture stands within rather than above the church, and to distinguish its authority from that of the church is a mistake of method. Why Would I Need to Convert in Order to Get Married? But the claim to be Christ's one, true church remains the clear Orthodox position. Why I Converted to Judaism | My Jewish Learning In other words, one cannot embrace Orthodox Christianity without embracing Orthodox Christians. In an encyclical letter of 1848, the Eastern patriarchs stated this most emphatically: "Infallibility resides solely in the ecumenicity of the church bound together by mutual love. Why Convert to Orthodox Christianity? Russia, 50-85 million The secret is out. Second, Christian theology perfectly explained why Jesus, who was also called a prophet, was worthy of worship. Why I Didn't Convert to Eastern Orthodoxy - Catholic Culture I kept finding myself in conversations with nice people who wanted to assure me that this very thing I was so excited about in Orthodoxy is something they have in their church as well. Included in this liturgy is an anathema on all those who reject icons. Clearly this stability is found in no other church. It takes a while to get it, because its received by a process of immersion, by soaking in a context of worship. Orthodox Christians were more inclined to appeal to the ecumenical councils than to a single bishop to settle theological matters. Why are Russian people (mostly) Orthodox Christians? * Orthodoxy, advocates suggest, reveals and corrects evangelical reductionism and superficiality. By joining Orthodoxy one inherits a theological package that includes central elements that have traditionally troubled many Protestant evangelicals and omits doctrines many evangelicals consider nonnegotiable essentials of vital Christianity. Beyond the recovery of history and liturgy, there are deeper and more important questions. The sacraments of the Church have helped fill countless young people's lives with meaning in ways that are difficult to find elsewhere. "We are Orthodox because (we) follow the same laws like in other Orthodox communities in the world," explains Meyer Sanchez, assistant to a rabbi in Medelln. The more familiar I became with Orthodoxy by serving in a local parish, on a parish council, and as an altar assistant, the more I saw others approach the Church, test the waters, and walk back out the narthex door. And yet, not all of these journeys have worked out. A person can read a dozen books on swimming, but that which he or she has read will not come alive until he or she actually gets into a pool. Conversion may be unnecessary if you're open to a Reform wedding: Reform Judaism permits interfaith marriages, though roughly half of all Reform rabbis still abjure officiating at them. What steps would I take to become an Orthodox Christian? Through the centuries, theological, geopolitical, cultural, and linguistic factors have combined to differentiate the Orthodox ethos from Western patterns of Christianity. Hymns like these offer quite a theological education to anyone who comes to services, and if you didnt catch it all, theres a good chance theyre going to sing it two more times. If you have a specific question about Orthodox Christianity or the Orthodox Church in America, Lol. We are not seeking to reform or to teach the Church how it should do things, but are rather seeking to be formed by the Church and to learn how we should be doing things as faithful Christians. I appreciate this articles use of blunt honesty! You can also subscribe without commenting. Click for reprint information. How to Become an Orthodox Christian - Phoenix, Arizona So Christianity would not have been completely alien to the Rus, and even Vladimir's grandmother, Olga, would become enamored with Christianity. Young teens go through a few years when they are trying to understand their own unique identity and trying to establish it in the face ofwell, it would be one thing if they had to establish it in the face of hostility, because, even though that would be hard, it would be bracing and clarifying. Perhaps this unanticipated experience of encountering something unknown and marvelously organic accounts for the distinctive lapel-grabbing impulse among converts to Orthodoxy. Icons are absolutely central to Orthodoxy, distinguishing it from both Catholicism and Protestantism. They push it down the road that they will be able to transition to that in their new group eventually. Together they gathered an army with the intent to regain control of Rus' and establish Vladimir as the ruler. Converts to Orthodox Christianity in America in the Russian Church Different Orthodox theories exist as to what, exactly, this means. Underneath were written the Greek words en toutoi nika, "In this sign, conquer." Its not something you can figure out by studying the Church Fathers. There are no doubt some ways that he is the same person he will always be, and there are ways Orthodoxy and every other church has significant points in common, not least that we love the same Lord. 3:15). Your email address will not be published. Why Ultra-Orthodox Jews Are Turning to Jesus | Opinion News In 1523-24 the Reformers Ulrich Zwingli and Martin Luther donned the gown of the university scholar. Put more starkly, Orthodoxy explicitly rejects the historic Protestant idea of sola scriptura. My husband and I were just Chrismated into the church on Christmas day. It is not always easy to advance strong arguments for these conversions. From Protestant to Orthodox - Orthodox Christianity serving Costa Mesa, CA Why I'm Not Orthodox | Christianity Today 2. I sincerely wish to know everyone's reasons for converting to Orthodoxy. She is committed to the same, unchanging, absolute truth. For example, on the Feast of the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, the chanter launches into this: Of the Father before the morning star Thou wast begotten from the womb without mother before all ages, even though Arius did believe Thee to be created, not God, classing Thee in ignorance and impudence with creatures. Clickhereto learn more about the deeds we are talking of and to learn how you can become a part of our social ministry and help those in need. Another danger is converting to Orthodoxy simply because it is beautiful. Thats surely a factor, but I think theres something else going on, more specific to Orthodox converts. What Scripture proclaims by word, the icon proclaims by color. As independent churches, they are not bound together by any unilateral or monarchical organization, nor do they owe allegiance to a single primacy, as Roman Catholics do to the pope. Join our newsletter to get the most interesting articles on spiritual issues and learn about the recent news from St. Elisabeth Convent. We have challenges here in Africa to find such information for, So glorious+++ Most Holy Theotokos save us, Pectoral Cross Your firstand subsequent visitswill help you to discern that to which the Lord is calling you. Has Orthodoxy in these lands obscured the gospel, becoming merely a "cultural" religion thoroughly assimilated to ethnic identity? When the media seized on John Paul II's statement, they not only missed his main point, they missed a wider story. As a young convert to Orthodox Christianity myself, I can testify that confession and Communion have filled my life meaning and have directed me when I have felt lost. At the 1996 meeting of sseoe, Orthodox representative Stanley Harakas said that the Orthodox, who have lived for 70 years in Russia under Communist oppression, are in a state of weakness, unable to rebuild churches and barely able to educate their parishioners. Another danger is converting to Orthodoxy simply because it is beautiful. But if you are still intrigued and drawn to the Orthodox Church, considering all of these disclaimers, then do so with faith, reverence, and a healthy fear of God. We should expect nothing less of ourselves than total respect for and even love of the history, theology, and culture of Orthodoxy; still, two things ought to be said about Orthodox complaints about Protestant proselytizing. In Catholicism this external dogmatic authority resides in the teaching magisterium of the church as expressed in the primacy and infallibility of the papacy. 0. There is another reason someone should not join Our Church. There I was, a Protestant theologian teaching in the former Department of Scientific Atheism in the land where Eastern Orthodoxy had reigned for over 1,000 years. Because of my interest for eastern culture, negative views on catholicism (I live in a mostly catholic country) and protestantism and my fascisnation for the Orthodox Church, i decided to convert to just that. Evangelicals urge the necessity of personal conversion through the faith and repentance of the individual believer, as opposed to the Orthodox idea of regeneration by the sacraments. Speaking out against a government that is massively exterminating believers, would only lead to greater persecution. Then bear your cross,, Please, include documents that can be downloaded or printed. John A. Peck, The Apostolic Mission of Journey To Orthodoxy, Orthodox Church in Harbin, China Reopens as an Orthodox Church, "When We Speak of Christ, We Must Start With Christ" - An Interview With Fr. Second, whatever failings Western missionaries might bring to their work, and whether Orthodoxy likes to admit it, many Russians are responding very positively to a clear, contemporary presentation of the gospel by Protestant missionaries. Why do people convert to Orthodoxy? The numbers are staggering! Share your feedback here. It is often wrongly assumed that Orthodoxy . After being dunked in this sea of hymnography for a few years I began to recognise an underlying unity among all the elements of Orthodoxy the worship, the fasting, the exhortations to humility, the companionship of the saints, all of it. Sara Villate, 10, by a menorah during Hanukkah. St. Theophan The Recluse On Spiritual Practice. Icons are, quite literally, a "theology in color.". Yeah, I think Ive gotten it out of my system. In fact, what Orthodox converts "vow to accept" diverges significantly from important, basic tenets of evangelical Protestantism. These thirteen churches are united in their understanding of the sacraments, discipline, doctrine, faith, government, and worship, but they administer their internal affairs separately. At the time, I was so occupied with comprehending this strange thing called Orthodoxy that I emphasized the differences, and was impatient with kindly big-tent suggestions. In any event, feel free to introduce yourself to and speak with the priest and his parishioners. It was like seeing a face emerge from a random pattern of dots, and then wink at you. Conversion to Christianity is the religious conversion of a previously non-Christian person to Christianity. She is conscious of being the true Church founded by Christ. There are two sides to this coin, as well: Some people become Orthodox for all the wrong reasons, while some dont become Orthodox for all the wrong reasons. But about this pursuit we can make several observations. Receive updates and announcements from Orthodox Witness.

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