How to Join the Orthodox Church: the Journey of a Catechumen
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- It may not always be clear how one should go about joining the Orthodox Church. Hopefully this video makes it clear for you.
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19 year old inquirer here. I had my first visit to a Serbian Orthodox Church last Sunday, so I have perhaps a useful anecdote for others who are looking into visiting for the first time.
Firstly, when you walk in it’ll smell like incense and you may hear the choir deeper in the church chanting Byzantine style chants. That is the way it was for me. As soon as I opened the door I met a kind old man and told him a crash course of my background and why I was there. He welcomed me and introduced me to others, and helped me get set up for the liturgy.
Also, even though my parish I went to was Serbian, there were a lot of converts, and I also met a fellow inquirer about 5 years older than me. So you won’t be alone, everyone has a story.
Be ready to hear a lot of chanting throughout the liturgy. If you’re big into listening to playlists of Orthodox chants, you may hear some familiar hymns. I personally got choked up sometimes throughout the service, it’s absolutely beautiful.
Be ready to stand for a while, there isn’t any pews. Definitely made me admire the 80 years old cradle Orthodox for how long they can stand.
The worship is much more passionate and intense when you have a real life encounter, compared to watching online. Be ready for that.
Make the sign of the cross whenever the Holy Trinity is pronounced.
At the end of the liturgy after Holy Communion, there is some bread blessed by the priests that is handed out, it isn’t communion bread. Feel free to take some. Before this though, everyone lines up to kiss the cross and the priest will say something like “Christ is risen.” To which you’ll reply, “truly He is risen.”
After the liturgy is when I introduced myself to more people and met the inquirer and many other great people, who gave me great advice and were so kind. Feel free to also attend the post-liturgy lunch in the basement if your parish has one. As one fellow parishioner said to me, the spiritual conversations in the post-liturgy lunch are “the liturgy after the liturgy.”
Overall, it’ll be a great spiritual experience of the authentic Christian faith that you won’t regret. Let the Lord guide you to the place you need to be! I know I can’t remain a Lutheran after truly experiencing Orthodox Christianity in real life. ☦️
Oh, my goodness, Aaron, i see your name again! Must compliment you on this excellent report. Am delighted with your joy here. I think you also made it easy for people to talk to you..
God, bless. A joy to read such words..☦💝📿💝☦
Aaron, i jusr came across this again...after being prompted to see a reply in another place..
Just wanted to say hello again and tell you again that this was a wonderful post to read and that i hope you are doing well.. especially considering the pushback that you were receiving. ☦📿💝📿☦
I have back issues and can't stand more than 20 minutes without a break. 😭 The local Greek Orthodox Church here has pews. I wouldn't want to be disrespectful, but I would have to sit down from time to time during prolonged standing.
@yeahnothx-e9l that is NO PROBLEM.. First of all, no one cares or should care.
Their job is to focus on their own souls..
Try to talk to someone, such as at the candle stand, about your being there for the first time and that you would appreciate their help and guidance.
Tell them about your problem.
They should be very willing to help you..
Have a lovely time..
It may all seem unusual to you but you learn each time you are there that it is truly a wonderful and. TRUE place..☦️💝📿💝☦️
I’m an ex-Muslim. Became Protestant now looking into Orthodox Christianity for a while looking to be catechumen but struggling with persecution
exmuslim here aswell. i will pray for you man i dont live in a muslim country but i know its a very serious situation to be in. god bless my brother.
Matthew 5:10-12
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
God bless your efforts. As a former atheist, I found the Orthodox Church through at first examining Islam. The beauty I liked in Islam I found in Orthodox Christianity, and even more so. May God bless you abundantly. Christ said ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for my sake’.
Have you visited any local parishes?
@@ChristinaBobina27 what beauty? its a true antichrist religion full of deception and immorality
The Orthodox Church by the English Priest, Kallistos Ware, is absolutely brilliant. I read it as someone just interested in Church history but ended up attending Divine Liturgy services and now considering becoming a Catechumen
thank you for this video father
You're welcome! Thank you for watching.
What are some resources you'd recommend for learning the lives of the Saints? Thank you for your guidance.
Wounded by Love about St Porphyrios I often see recommended for inquirers
Trisagion Films, Cloud Of Witnesses Radio, Orthodox Wisdom and harmony. All here on UA-cam. Listen to the Synaxarion online daily. I’m reading Wounded By Love too though lol 🙏☦️❤️
And if you are interested in reading, there is a book called 'Lives of the Saints: An Introduction to Famous Orthodox Christian Saints'
The Prologue of Ochrid , the work of St. Nicholai Velimerovich was what helped me tremendously day by day to read about Saints and read homilies and reflections and scriptures.
Is a 2volume set and not inexpensive but i book to turn to daily all your life if you wish to.
I did not know that the Synaxarion was online. Good news.
@@FaithfulComforterhow do you access the Synaxarion online? Didn't know it was available that way.
Thank you for this video, super helpful on my journey.
Being that Roman Catholics hold may of the same beliefs, is the process shorter and easier than if coming from any other background?
Hello, and thank you for your question.
I was born Italian/Roman Catholic, and I'll share my own experience. It was not shorter than the catechumenate of Protestants, which I honestly did not and still don't understand. This might make some people angry, but Catholicism and Orthodoxy are not extremely different. The Catholic Church is just much more legalistic, which is something you'll have to reprogram your mind about. You aren't pulling up Canon ABCD of the ABCD council of ABCD year every few days to confirm things.
I'd also tell you that leaving legalism also has some minor drawbacks, as some things start varying and have less of a stance. There are also some theological differences like the papacy, immaculate conception, filioque, and of course, there is much more of an emphasis on mysticism in Orthodoxy. There is little presence of the Benedictine Order in the Orthodox Church, so if you enjoy that, be prepared to have limited resources.
Altogether, I am happy to have come to the Orthodox Church. If you are considering converting from Roman Catholicism, I am sure you'll enjoy it too. I won't lie; you'll probably hear some things about Catholicism that are blatant lies, and you'll probably remember lies you thought about Orthodoxy that weren't actually the case. All around, you'll learn a lot, but please, for the love of the Virgin Mary, stay off the 'Orthobro' sphere. People like Jay Dyer are usually NOT recommended by priests, and I think some archdioceses have held polls with their priests and found out that most priests do not recommend him. The best things you can do are prayer, work, and of course, reading the lives of the saints/philosophy.
@@barone1865you sound like a Uniate
@@user-vv1do1wg1j I am under the Antiochian Archdiocese.
@@user-vv1do1wg1j I am under the Antiochian Archdiocese.
@@user-vv1do1wg1j Just because someone comes from Catholicism doesn't mean they can't share their experience. I am under the Antiochian Archdiocese.
Bojan from Bible illustrated made a great video on how to join as well.
Great video Father!
Thank you :)
I'm privileged to have started my journey at a nearby monastery, attending a divine liturgy there was easier for me since I'm a bit shy. Had great conversations with the Priest. Vespers might be easier for first-timers or shy people like me, typically fewer people in attendance. But it is just an appetizer, divine liturgy is the spiritual main course 😊
I like the way you put it. Yes, the Divine Liturgy is the Spiritual Main course!
I started with vespers too. Quieter, plus I love the variety and beauty of the service.
you made a big mistake calling Mormons and Jehovah witnesses Christians. stop throwing them all in the same pot. The Christians faith is believing in our triune God. Nothing else.
You might have missed the part where I said, "That's a discussion for another day," implying exactly what you are saying. God bless you :)
if we can call pentecostals "christian" we might as well call mormons and JWs "christian", real christianity is and ONLY is in the one church Christ established, our God is not a polygamist, 1 bride, 1 body, 1 Israel (the church)
"christian" does not mean much
the bible doesnt give us a definition for being "christian" aside from belonging to the body of Christ
universal christianity, christian fundamentalism, invisible church
these are modern protestant concepts
As a catechumen about to finish my year of preparation after just showing up on Pentecost last year, this is all good information and a really good overview for what to do, read, and focus on. In a way you do have to go through the motions for awhile, but it is so you get the rhythm of how the Liturgy is structured. Also, everyone will find their own entry point depending on your learning style. That’s what is so great about the way we worship, because all of the sense are engaged. Please pray for me as I prepare to be baptized on Pentecost!
Blessings.. What name will you receive? ☦💝📿💝☦
Very helpful. Blessings from Ireland.
You're welcome! Thank you for watching.
Very informative, Father. We need to be on the lookout for the inquirers and show them around/ explain things.
Thank you father for yourr advise in such clear and wonderful way..Your channel came to me today gor tge very first time and God send as i was asking myself how to go about reaching out to an orthodox church...
I appreciated all that you said:
The steps the books..and to take the time, to be be patienced while we discover and learn as we invite Christ to increase in us i found truly beautifully wise advise..I was also struck by how gentle you are( it is an priceless gift..you help us to be like bees instead of flies😊 and comferting that i do need to stress as i yourney into orthodoxy ( can not find the right words just yet, because english is not my native language..)
Your advice about zeal i found very powerful..
Discern but do not judge only Jesus is the truth, giving time for Jesus Christ to increase, so beautiful..
I realized how much i have been trying to transform" myself( understanding the importance of forgiveness and blessing the one who has abused me , i tried it through that understanding which is utter soundness, but confronted with... i constantly felt the struggle, even if it had the power of a strong breeze) instead of allowing Christ to become in me., listening to you made me realize that for the first time since i converted from islam to evangelic christianity which never fulfilled me but i did want to give up Jesus ( i did leave the church and used internet to learn and grow)
Thank God last year i " stumbled" on an orthodox channel and i felt a sence of coming home...
Thank you for this treasure father..
May God bless you and your abundantly..Glory to our Father God, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, now and forever.....
Like music to my ears, thank you Father
3:46 "BASED on the person of Jesus Christ"
Many blessings to your channel and mission for the Lord! Love your content so far.
FYI: Your linktree link is invalid in a few locations on your media. Signed up for your newsletter though!
I have started my journey into the Orthodox Church after 32 years of life. I found this video in research and preparation for becoming a catechuman. Thank you 🙏
Thank you for the video, father! Very informative. I will be using those book recommendations.
Fr, thank you very much for this video. I am an Anglican looking into converting to Orthodoxy after going back and forth on it for a couple years. I am trying to bring my family along but my wife is apprehensive, this video reminded me to be patient and not to push her away with my zealousness.
Father, thank you so much for this video. The Lord has been drawing me to the Orthodox Church for years but I never lived near enough to attend one. But after many trying events in my life, I have ended up in a town with an OCA congregation just 15 minutes from my home. I will be attending next week. Videos like this have fed me spiritually when I had nowhere else to learn about the Orthodox faith. I thank the Lord for you and others who create such informative content for those who are hungry for the Truth.
Thank you for this video
You're welcome! Thank you for watching.
Love that you recommend the same 3 books I've been telling some people to read to get a crash course on the Faith.
It's at 9:42 for those who want the refs.
I absolutely loved this video. I have been very curious about the Orthodox Church. This video helped. I loved how you said to focus on the light and to focus on loving Jesus. Not the darkness. Because the world is full of this. And to be like the honeybee not the mosquito. That will stick with me. Thank you 🙏🏻✝️.
I was standing just like this in the image, while scrolling and coming across this video 🤔😆
Dude where have you been. Make more videos, they are making me want to become orthodox. Also.can you do a story of your life and journey to orthodox.
Padre, al aludir al tercer libro (Thinking Orthodox) usted no nombra al autor sino que dice que es una presbitera (esposa de un sacerdote). Se refiere usted más concretamente a la doctora Eugenia Scarvelis Constantinou? Gracias.
I'll get there
Very thankful for this video as I attend my first Divine Liturgy tomorrow. The part to strive for humility and to practice silence is a blessed message and I needed as I make this start on my journey. Additionally, the guidance to focus on the light in the world instead of the darkness around us. Thank you for the great messages within.
Great job on this video! I think this video would be so useful in a parish to show newcomers on the steps to Orthodoxy.
La Sfânta Liturghie participăm prin rugăciune, cântare, închinare, împărtășire cu Sfintele Taine etc. , nu asistăm, nu este un spesctacol.
So thats what happened to me when I did a harmless self study of St. Nicholas of Myra on my own. The admiration I had when he put himself in harms way to defend against false persecutions of Christians on top of answering the riddle of the beloved Santa Claus story “ the giver of the good and perfect giver had called upon us to mimic gods gifts thru faith, and this, is not of ourselves.” I wanted to learn more of such stories ad it did give a better understanding of Christ. Being a protestant I only got bits and pieces of stories of saints and often wondered as a protestant. Am I getting the full story of the body of Christ?
I was a pre-Inquirer from 1978 to 1998, Calvinism had soured me so I started looking for something else. Orthodoxy had the best answers but I didn't have enough access to it to really be called an Inquirer or even a Visitor. At this stage of my Life, could be considered Frontier Orthodox. After another run-in with a Prosperity Theologian, I started my Inquirer-ship in earnest.
Step 1: Find a Church with little to no pews. :)
There is no Orthodox church in the Pacific islands where i belong. I've done some readings on Orthodox Church and found it to be great Christian church. As an Anglican member, i found some similarities though.
I'll continue my online connections cos i can't acess one within the perimeter of 3000km.
Thank you for shining on my morning father.
Gid bless you
And blessings to you. Somehow the Lord will help you work this out..
☦💝📿💝☦
What were the titles of the recommended books?
Father may God bless you, for giving information to join the faith. Just FYI there are two ways to orthodoxy. Oriental and eastern orthodox.
Orientatials are schismatics who broke off at the counsel of Chalcedon. You can’t deny an ecumenical council and still be the true church. They are heretical and do not have the Holy Spirit.
Recommending sitting in the front is interesting. Historically Catechumens stayed in the Narthex so sitting in the back of the Nave or Narthex is the traditional wisdom
There is a fine line between tradition and dogma, and it is not dogma as to where catechumens sit. Every parish is a little different, and I personally learned a lot more from sitting in the front.
Great video, Father 😄
Are protestant baptisms accepted when becoming Orthodox, or do you need to get baptized again?
Believe it depends on the type of Orthodox. Greeks you don’t if it’s a valid one “ father, Son and Holy Spirit” but Aniochan will baptize everyone regardless.
I am Greek Orthodox. You should be baptised with triple immersion in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Exorcism prayers should be done beforehand
@@zoejay I’m just saying what a Greek Orthodox Priest told me. :) I definitely believe it should be triple baptism. The Catholic Church does “ pour three times “ in some areas they do by Immersion but Baptist only do once by Immersion. He said it depends if it has valid certification.
I noticed that these churches violate Christ's command:Matt 28:19. They NEVER GO, They wait for YOU TO COME. Which is why they haven't grown, only by getting the disgruntled. They need to get their act together.
If you aren't a baptized Orthodox Christian, you should have left during the Litany of the Catechumen and gone to the parish hall.
In my Russian Orthodox Church they don’t enforce that.
This is not a common practice (practically speaking) in most Orthodox parishes. It is very common in Monasteries, however.
Though this is not widely enforced unfortunately, it is nonetheless highly beneficial for the catechumen, as he thus acquires the sense that he is not yet initiated into the mysteries of the Church. Thus, he can learn to respect and rever the mysteries, and then, when he has been purified and initiated by Baptism and Chrismation, he will be able to experience them much more fully, as they were meant to be experienced.
Are you cradle orthodox?
@@gregoryheers2633 What do you mean, unfortunately? I obey the bishop, and when the bishop says that catechumens do not leave during the liturgy, you stay and obey him.
First you have to express hate for all protestants. Especially express that hate online.
We don’t hate anyone.
Oh, come on. You know that isn't true.
To say that they are not within the fullness of the faith, for example, is not hatred. It is a call to reconsider and to dare to seek for more..
☦💝📿💝☦