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For example, it is understandable that evangelicals feel that the Orthodox doctrine of the church is too "high." Overall, is the Orthodox church growing in America or is it slowly dying, as the older cradle Orthodox are dying and fewer cradle Orthodox either convert to other churches [primarily Protestant churches] or morph into Deists or worse?. Underneath were written the Greek words en toutoi nika, "In this sign, conquer." By the end of the sixth century, neither group could speak the other's language. Rather, "theosis" (literally, "deification"), or the progressive transformation of people into full likeness to God, in soul and body, takes center stage. Teachings of Orthodoxy. Greece, 9 million The Orthodox Church is indelibly marked by the One who is its origin and source. One finds that the Orthodox Church is indeed "the pillar and foundation of the truth" ( 1 Tim. When I visit prisons where floors are shiny, morale is noticeably higher. This absorbed my attention so much that I was apt to expound my current level of comprehension to anyone who stood still in my vicinity. And to share why I am not Orthodox. Is the church made up of those who have been "regenerated" by infant baptism in an Orthodox church institution, or by those who have experienced new birth and been justified by grace through faith? Beliefnet is a lifestyle website providing feature editorial content around the topics of inspiration, spirituality, health, wellness, love and family, news and entertainment. In addition, sizable Orthodox "diasporate" groups exist in Europe, North and South America, and Australia, typically under the jurisdiction of one of the thirteen patriarchates mentioned above. Lol. Others charge complicity with the state, both past and present. Orthodoxy knows where she stands, and she is in no need to re-define herself. Because we confess and believe in the one holy, catholic and apostolic Church, this means we are not looking for a Church that fits our own preferences and ideals, but rather one that teaches us what our preferences should be. In 1523-24 the Reformers Ulrich Zwingli and Martin Luther donned the gown of the university scholar. Orthodoxy, advocates suggest, reveals and corrects evangelical reductionism and superficiality. Thus Luther once wrote, "What else do I contend for but to bring everyone to an understanding of the difference between the divine Scripture and human teaching or custom?" Karmiris writes, "Scripture and Tradition are equally valid, possess equal dogmatic authority, and are equal in value as sources of dogmatic truth . But every church must have its distinctiveness, or wed all be in the same church. The Orthodox Church is the ancient Church that Christ and the Apostles established. Alister McGrath, an intellectual historian and proponent of paleo-orthodoxy, claims that many of the . Step Two: Repentance There is no salvation without repentance. This icon, Wedding Icon of The Mother Of God You can also subscribe without commenting. Before trying to discern how evangelicals should respond to these many issues involving Eastern Orthodoxy, a brief history is in order. As the Body of Christ, the Church is a Divine-human organism, just as with the Person of Jesus Christ, the God-Man. One can find Orthodox statements that ascribe a unique authority to Scripture over tradition, but these are few and far between, and they speak of tradition in a narrower than usual sense. Facebook | They saw this as a perception skill, something anyone could (with diligent practice) hone; it has nothing to do with emotion. In 858 Photius was appointed as Orthodoxy's new patriarch at Constantinople, replacing Ignatius, who had been exiled and later resigned his duties. In any event, feel free to introduce yourself to and speak with the priest and his parishioners. Whatever honor Protestants bestow upon tradition, they deny that its authority is coequal with Scripture. Conversely, evangelicals argue that this forensic framework for sin and salvation is not merely a historical and unduly negative carryover from Augustine and Anselm, but rather is the clear teaching of Paul in his Letters to the Romans and Galatians. Not that every churchgoer is following that path, not that the church administration is perfect, but that the path still existed thats what amazed me. Religion became a state of the Roman Empire, and Christianity became an enormous and influential religion nationwide. One need not travel overseas to encounter Eastern Orthodoxy. Orthodox churches are full of them. The Orthodox Church has been, for me, the ultimate revelation of what it means to be "in Christ"; my upbringing in Evangelical Protestantism has not only helped me appreciate this now, but was very much preparing me for this all along [1]. For Eastern Christians, this was yet another Roman encroachment upon their autonomy. This statement cannot be challenged. Much like a divorce where numerous and complex problems fester for years and then coalesce around a single event, the defining moment for a distinctly Orthodox identity came with the Great Schism of 1054. According to the Second Ecumenical Council of Nicea in 787, icons are of equal benefit as Scripture in presenting the gospel message. Converts to Orthodoxy usually precede their decision with voluminous reading and research, so their friends must endure agitated lectures on church history, ancient heresies, and what words mean in Greek. In the first place, Christians believed Jesus to be the true God rather than a semi-god. What are we to make, for example, of the Orthodox liturgy in Russia today, which is recited in ninth-century Slavonic, a language very few Russians even understand? It is not about rules and regulations but rather guide posts to make choices to transition to what we were designed to become. Schisms had already occurred in the Christian church, and others would occur later, but the Great Schism was the first of such major consequence. Spiritual enlightenment changes everything. It was like seeing a face emerge from a random pattern of dots, and then wink at you. The Catalog of Good Deeds is the official blog of the Catalogue of St. Elisabeth Convent. Even before entering the church one is taken aback by the unusual architecture-the glittering gold onion domes that sparkle like diamonds on a sunny day. Orthodoxy insists tenaciously on the role of tradition which is her very life and builds upon its past, without revisions. While evangelicals might be eager to argue there is no biblical warrant for icons, for the Orthodox it is enough that icons have always been a part of church tradition. Don't pretend you don't know what I mean. Why Are Protestants Converting To Orthodox Christianity? I love the Church, and so I find it difficult to understand how a person could not see the beauty in our faith, leaving it all behind. The first, most obvious explanation is that some people simply are obnoxious to start with. Are Orthodox Christians "Bible believing?". It also must be noted that embracing the faith involves a running to Christ and His Church as the Ark of Salvation, rather than a running away from somethingother than sin. Rome accused the "Greek heretics" of trying to "humiliate and crush the holy catholic and apostolic church." Rather, Orthodoxy affirms a single source of revelation, holy tradition, of which Scripture is the preeminent among several forms. In many of these lands, Orthodoxy exhibits an unveiled distrust and even xenophobia toward the massive influx of Western missionaries into their backyards. Orthodoxy has always affirmed that Peter was the "first among equals" (primus inter pares) ; but unlike Roman Catholics, the Orthodox have always denied that he held any "primacy of power" (primatus potestatis). Whereas Western Protestants want to hear the written Word spoken in the sermon, Orthodox believers want to see it in the visual images of iconsas well as hear it in the spoken word. YouTube | But only lately has it dawned on me that I must have strained friendships over the years due to my vocal enthusiasm for my adopted church. For taking Communion together? Geoff. These are worthy pursuits that can be fulfilled in the Orthodox Church. "Whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away." Turning to Jesus brings you to God, and you begin to understand His plan of salvation. Orthodox Priest Explains Why Many People in the West are Converting to Orthodox Christianity. The first four enjoy special honor due to their antiquity. Orthodox Christians were more inclined to appeal to the ecumenical councils than to a single bishop to settle theological matters. If our only reason for converting is more somber, reverent, and beautiful worship, the newness of this experience soon wanes. On these points evangelical and Orthodox thinking diverge in significant ways. One finds that the Orthodox Church is indeed the pillar and foundation of the truth (1 Tim. What was the foreign policy of Yaroslav the Wise? This conception lessens the validity and value of the Holy Scriptures as the primary source of Christian dogma." Has Orthodoxy in these lands obscured the gospel, becoming merely a "cultural" religion thoroughly assimilated to ethnic identity? When Martin Luther burned the books of Catholic canon law at Wittenberg's Elster Gate on December 10, 1520, he symbolized an important Protestant distinctive. The Global Methodist Church welcomes Scott Jones, who led Methodists in Texas and had advocated for the extreme center and staying at the table., Emily McFarlan Miller - Religion News Service. Put another way, we must invoke the spirit of irenic disagreement in the formula: "In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity." The Orthodox Church has existed since the day of Pentecost and when we truly believe and become truly attached, not merely by baptism or chrismation, not merely by our presence but by our actions and our inner convictions, then and only then do we truly become connected to the Church, to Jesus Christ the Saviour and therefore to the Trinitarian God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit. Contact | Preeminent among the sacraments are baptism and the Eucharist. Not that every churchgoer is following that path, not that the church administration is perfect, but that the path still existedthats what amazed me. Sdn Tim Grace unveils the surprising message of Christmas. 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. First, Christianity had no doctrine to support the Islamic hypothesis about Jesus' modification into a semi-god. Greenland. (Some within Orthodoxy say there are 15, but this is a minor, internal debate.) Although my parents intentionally raised my brother and me without a focus on . Since the World Council of Churches' Canberra Assembly in 1991, evangelical and Orthodox believers have joined in a series of wcc-sponsored dialogues on matters challenging historic Christian faith. 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. I felt like Marco Polo. Converts to Orthodoxy usually precede their decision with voluminous reading and research, so their friends must endure agitated lectures on church history, ancient heresies, and what words mean in Greek. Instead, an adolescent has to figure out and establish his adult persona in the face of affection. While this exclusivism is not unique to Orthodoxy, with this self-understanding it is easy to see why the Orthodox Church in countries such as Russia is extremely unhappy about Western, Protestant missionary incursions. Becoming Orthodox means being willing to submit to the Church and Her bishops, who might not be interested in ordaining you. Becoming an Orthodox Christian is not easy, nor does it promise great happiness or success in this life. Essential for clergy to pray together, to talk, and to encourage one another in Christ? ", Icons are not merely sacred art. Have something to add about this? Orthodox Christians viewed the filioque amendment to be contrary to explicit instructions by past ecumenical councils not to change the creeds. Her allegiance to the perennial truths of Christianity is appreciated by sincere seekers. These thirteen churches are united in their understanding of the sacraments, discipline, doctrine, faith, government, and worship, but they administer their internal affairs separately. This is not just an explanation but an apology, and even an appreciation for the perseverance of friendship in the face of truly annoying behaviour. We are looking forward to our journey in the church. It took awhile because I grasped it through hearing the hymns of the church year, week in and week out. I will always remember my first visit to an Orthodox church in Russia. Why Convert to Orthodox Christianity? If you have a specific question about Orthodox Christianity or the Orthodox Church in America, July 26, 2019 By Fr. But one insightful reader asked a penetrating question: "Your book does a fine job comparing the two traditions; why have you not converted to Orthodoxy?" He senses that its something much more profound than that, as he is turning into a different person, the adult he is destined to be. True, Luther and some other Protestants have not viewed baptismal regeneration and justification by faith as mutually exclusive. 2. Sizable groups of the Russian population are disenchanted with Orthodoxy for a number of reasons. Orthodoxy looks forward, to the age to come. Her admirable heritage of perseverance amid terrible fires of persecution has been noted even by non-Orthodox admirers, as one of her strongest attractions and sources of strength. It is no small thing for us to hold in common all the early, Christian creeds. As if this were not quite enough, during the Fourth Crusade, Western forces stormed Constantinople in 1204 and ransacked the Church of the Holy Wisdom, an unimaginable act of desecration from the viewpoint of Orthodoxy. She is the Church of martyrs. Also, people should not join the Church in the hopes of solidifying an identity they have in the first place. Forgetting early on that Orthodox worship is liturgical and cyclical (i.e. Shortly after the beginning of our own catechumenate as a family, we saw friendsand their familiesbegin journeys towards the East. Orthodox believers see things very differently. The essence of it was to evangelize younger aristocrats, future leaders of the land. This is no archaic, dusty doctrine, either. Then B. In chrismation, performed immediately after rising from the baptismal waters, the priest anoints the infant with a special ointment, making the sign of the cross on various parts of the body, thus acknowledging the gift and seal of the Holy Spirit. Heres a clue to a third possibility. What Scripture proclaims by word, the icon proclaims by color. What they objected to was the elevation of tradition to the status of Scripture. You may wish to call the parish priest in advance to introduce yourself and explain that you will be joining him and the faithful of his parish for the first time, although this is not absolutely essential. From the Orthodox perspective, both Catholics and Protestants seek to ground theological authority in an external norm. The basic framework of services like the Divine Liturgy or Vespers doesnt change much, but every day of the liturgical year provides prayers for saints and feasts that can be added to that framework. Orthodox Christians believe you must be converted every day- every day - and everyone must start with this step if they desire to make spiritual progress and be saved. And these prayers are jam-packed. Everyone associates Orthodox worship with sensory richness, but its also rich in theological content. But the impulse is to exaggerate the differences when you fear being hugged to death. Nicholas reversed the decision, reinstating Ignatius and deposing Photius. On the Path of Love: From Islam to Christianity, Madagascar: Church Opens Huge Complex with Church, Schools, Orphanage, Old Folks Home, Australia: Orthodoxy Fastest Growing Church amidst General Christian Decline. Orthodox Sep 9, 2019 #1 For those who converted like myself, why did you? He shares his witness of it. So, you have decided to convert to the Greek Orthodox Christian religion. Orthodox Christianity offers a third solution, that is faith with an emphasis on symbolism, inner experience, and Church communion. Needless to say, Rome was indignant; not until the Lateran Council of 1215 did it acknowledge the status of Constantinople. Instead, an adolescent has to figure out and establish his adult persona in the face of affection. He states that in Gaul, before setting out towards Rome, Constantine and his army saw a great cross in the sky. Any objective historian can discover that the permanence of Orthodoxy is due to the preservation and the passing on of the apostolic faith unadulterated, pure. Moreover, evangelicals have some important lessons to learn from Orthodoxy. Other religions and faiths occupy themselves with this life, with this world. While reading about the Orthodox Christian tradition is certainly important, it is crucial to stepliterallyinto an Orthodox Christian parish church near you to witness/experience the Churchs worship and fellowship. Liturgically, the Orthodox ethos of a formal worship setting will attract some Christians, but to many other vibrant movements within evangelicalism it will have little if any appeal. So why should someone desire to join the Orthodox Church? What do they find so attractive? Protestant theologian Adolf von Harnack once described the Orthodox church as "in her entire structure alien to the Gospel and a perversion of the Christian religion, its reduction to the level of pagan antiquity." Each of them had his idiosyncrasies, and they regularly disagree. Indeed, in a letter of 865, Pope Nicholas made it clear that he intended to extend the power of the papacy "over all the earth, that is, over every church." 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. Differences over clerical beards, the tonsure, and fasting also exacerbated the growing deterioration of East-West unity. For me it was due to the fact that papal supremacy is a later doctrine, yet I could not become a Protestant because the writings of the Fathers do not agree with Protestantism. For me, the one and only valid, core reason is because a person desires to be part of the one, true Body of Christ. 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 You were begotten from the womb without mother before all ages, even though Arius did believe You to be created, not God, classing You in ignorance and impudence with creatures Thats just a fraction of a thorough march through what happened at the first Council of Nicaea, and why it was important (including Arius unpleasant death from digestive indisposition: his bowels were torn by a divine hookin a repulsive manner his soul came out). we'll be happy to answer it! 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. One can find people who interpret this ecclesiological exclusivity more leniently; in fact, some would argue that the best Orthodox scholarsGeorge Florovsky and John Meyendorff, to name twowould allow for such leniency. The priest censes them and elevates them in processions. The rise of Islam after Muhammad (died 632) was likewise crucial. But the impulse is to exaggerate the differences when you fear being hugged to death. Second, Christian theology perfectly explained why Jesus, who was also called a prophet, was worthy of worship. Rich worship taught the faith to literate and illiterate, peasant and emperor, and its essentially the same as our worship today. In this video, Fr. Administered to infants who are fully immersed three times, baptism effects the "bath of regeneration" by which a person is born again, wholly cleansed from both original and actual sins, and, consequently, saved from guilt and punishment. Second, in biblical interpretation the Reformers placed the Scriptures above the church. There is a certain chemistry involved, which one cannot so easily verbalize. The stability that the Orthodox Church provides for the seeker consists in the assurance of the truth she possesses, her other-worldly and mysterious character, the beauty of her liturgical celebrations and her crucified lifethey all attest to what she is for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear: the unique, beloved Bride of Christ. The Orthodox Church in America, with roots in Moscow and about 85,000 adherents . Granny and Pops and Uncle Pete love the little guy, and theyre going to be kindly and patient with him because hes going through a phase. Further, they identify themselves by reference to Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), the "new Rome" of Emperor Constantine, and to the first seven ecumenical councils of the church. Hope this helps, and hope that your journey to Orthodoxy is filled with every blessing. Wynona doesn't indicate why the parish priest has done this, but it would appear from the context that the priest objects to her marrying an . Now let's hear from Frederica. Early on in the life of the Christian church, the Greek-speaking East and the Latin-speaking West began to diverge. I do not wish to antagonize anyone and if there is a place online where I might go to better have my questions answered, please. If they are looking for an ethnic identity because they feel they have none. Who can explain why one has fallen in love with a given person? 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. . In Catholicism this external dogmatic authority resides in the teaching magisterium of the church as expressed in the primacy and infallibility of the papacy. In the 950s, Olga, the grandmother of Vladimir, was . 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. 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. I felt like Marco Polo. Once inside, a Western Christian experiences sensory overload: the near absence of chairs or pews, dim lighting, head coverings for most women, icons and frescoes covering almost every inch of space on the walls and ceiling, a massive and ornate iconostasis separating the priest and the worshipers, the smoky smell of incense and hundreds of candles burning in memory of the dead, the priest resplendent in his ornate vestments and enormous beard, and worshipers repeatedly prostrating themselves, kissing the icons, and making the sign of the cross.