Most Eastern Orthodox services are conducted ad orientum with the priest turning towards the people at specific times. As for my personal preference, I grew up Orthodox so seeing the back is what Iâm used to.
May God bless and keep you and yours. In an answer to an anon you referenced some experiences with Orthodoxy that made you feel you could not ve anything else. Can you give an example?
Sure, one example of this would be the time I was at a random Vespers. I was standing in church looking up at the icon of the Mother of God above the altar. It was dark in the building and I donât know if I had my glasses but I was looking at this icon high up, and suddenly it became very focused in my vision. Like from blurred to sharpened. I started tearing up, it felt like the Mother of God was looking at me. It passed after a few minutes.
I canât really describe these things well. Hope this is what you were after. God bless, and Merry Christmas.
Sorry it took so long to answer, Iâve been off this site for about a week and a half.
I wonât list all the doctrinal stuff, Iâll just give my personal reasons.
For me personally, I find Orthodox spirituality more compelling, same with the historical arguments. But truly, the experiences Iâve had in Orthodox worship and living as an Orthodox Christian, by the grace of God, mean I could never be anything else.
Blessed Feast of the Nativity of the Forerunner! (And the anniversary of the overturning of Roe)
Behold Elizabeth who said to the Virgin Mary: âWhence is this to me, O mother of my Lord? Thou bearest the king, I the warrior; thou the Law-Giver I the upholder of the law; thou the Word, I the voice which proclaims // the Kingdom of Heaven!â
-Aposticha for the Nativity of the Forerunner & Baptist John
âLenin's first mausoleum was erected on his funeral (27 Jan, 1924). Explosions of frozen ground damaged the sewerage system. In spring, everything melted and the new mausoleum with his body was flooded with sewage.
Saint Tikhon said "The myrrh matches the relics.ââ
I get annoyed by that painting of Christ stepping out of the empty tomb with the stone rolled to the side. That's not what happened, The Risen Christ rises from the dead and passes through the stone. He's GOD, He can do that. The stone is only rolled away to show the tomb is already empty.
What are we calling a "new convert?" When does one actually get to "teach theology?" I understand the essential point of learning about something and having experience with something before presenting oneself as an expert, but I worry that the post needlessly divides people of faith and negates the insights of those who haven't had the privilege of being raised in your specific religious tradition. Engage in dialogue with "new converts," recall how fortunate we are to come from, in many cases, a tradition of "new converts," and approach these people as fellow siblings, misguided or otherwise, not a dangerous scourge upon perfect theology.
Iâm going to answer your questions/points one at a time, as charitably as I can while not making an enormous post so please bear with me, the answers will be under the cut. Also, I am writing within an Eastern Orthodox Church context.
What are we calling a "new convert?"
âCatechumens will hear the word for three years. Yet if someone is earnest and perseveres well in the matter, it is not the time that is judged, but the conduct.â (Hippolytusâs Apostolic Tradition Chapter 17)
I would say that a new convert is anyone who has been a communing Orthodox Christian for less than at least one liturgical cycle from when you were received, (e.g. Received on Pascha to Pascha a year later). Someone may say âbut I attended services for 10 years, I read a lot of books, I know all the theology and traditions!â that may be so, but the Mysteries are efficacious. You are changed by them. You need time to be changed by them and fully immersed. It takes time to develop an Orthodox mindset or viewpoint (phronema). This is where cradles have the advantage, even the cradles of converts.
But this is the real point, and itâs a matter of humility and obedience. Converts often measure their âspiritual ageâ or how long they have been in the faith e.g. âIâm 6 months old â a spiritual baby.â The Orthodox faith is an ocean, and any member is like a person standing in the tide trying to comprehend the depth and breadth of the faith. A new convert is like a toddler trying to scoop the ocean. God, the Gospel, doctrine â all of these are complicated.
Catechesis is important (but ultimately varies in quality from place to place). Your even year-long catechism does not cover every aspect of the faith, and certainly not every aspect of every tradition of the faith (Russian vs Greek practice). The faith is very hard to understand. It requires humility, obedience, and patience. And putting in the time living in your parish community is extremely important.
When does one actually get to "teach theology?"
Properly, one gets to teach theology when granted teaching authority by a bishop. For example, a priest is given the authority to preach by their bishop. If you insist on a number of years I would think someone who has been Orthodox for 5-10 years can start to say what the Church teaches if the occasion arises. But I know priests who insist converts do not say much other than âCome and Seeâ for 10 years. Let your new life and new manner of being be a demonstration rather than words you read from a Father you misunderstand. Everyone (new converts and cradles) should spend far more time in prayer and services than in discourse. (Of course a new convert can give rough explanations to their family who want to understand why they are choosing Orthodoxy).
But ultimately, if you are not accountable to your priest and your bishop for what you say, you have no authority to rightly speak. Every liturgy we pray that our bishops ârightly divide the word of truth.â
In the Orthodox Church, we try to do things with the Churchâs blessing. If you want to teach, receive a blessing. Be accountable.
I understand the essential point of learning about something and having experience with something before presenting oneself as an expert, but I worry that the post needlessly divides people of faith and negates the insights of those who haven't had the privilege of being raised in your specific religious tradition.
Itâs not a needless division. See the problem with âOrthobrosâ and Internet Orthodoxy at large. And youâre right, it is a privilege to grow up in the Orthodox faith. Iâm sorry if my post upset you, as it was not my intention.
As far ânegating insightsâ let me be clear. I am perfectly happy to hear from my convert friends (and often do) about what they found intriguing or different about Orthodoxy. I value the opinions and insights of my Anglican or Pentecostal friends who are well-equipped to describe why and how their churches fell away or drove them away. But as far as insights into Orthodoxy, there I will take some issue (Iâm going to be charitable and assume you arenât talking about insights into Orthodox doctrine other than comparative to other faiths). But to be clear, a new convert has no business trying to explain complicated doctrine to random people on the internet, or even people they know. Because a new convert cannot verify they are speaking correctly. And thatâs okay! And I understand the urge to share this beautiful faith youâve discovered and your life is changing and God is so good. But new converts lack stability and foundation. They just donât have the practice and immersion yet. Itâs like telling someone who passed French 3 that they are fluent now. Yeah maybe they have the grammar basics down, but they lack the vocabulary of a native speaker or a 10-year speaker.
Engage in dialogue with "new converts," recall how fortunate we are to come from, in many cases, a tradition of "new converts," and approach these people as fellow siblings, misguided or otherwise, not a dangerous scourge upon perfect theology.
Anon, I love you but itâs a little odd to call for me to engage in dialogue while Anonymous. If you want to reach out to me, feel free, but no obligation. As far as engaging, I think it's not my place to directly correct people on tumblr. It would be like boiling the ocean for one. And two, I think online interactions are inherently prone to confusion and reading bad intentions into every situation. So I'm not looking to rebuke anyone who is not under my authority (like my godchildren).
Obviously I love and cherish every new convert. And I thank God for the enormous numbers of converts coming to know Christ in His Church. I think youâve read in a little into my post, I donât recall describing anyone as a dangerous scourge. But I will say, you are responsible for the ones you teach. Look to James 3:1-2;13
âMy brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body... Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom."
Lastly, I'll end with a quote from His Grace Bishop Gerasim of Fort Worth. It's not 100% to your point, but I think it's near enough that it's worth sharing. God bless you for taking the time to read this, and forgive any errors or failures within.
Hey everyone, feels like all I post these days are health updates. My health has improved from a year ago, but I'm seeing another new doctor tomorrow, and I'm hoping that she'll give me the treatment a bunch of other medical professionals have recommended me. Please pray that we don't get bogged down in nonsense, I'd really like to just get the treatment tomorrow. I really need your prayers. Thank you.
prguitarman
blakekathryn
germansingergirl
