Not to be outdone, the Orthodox could respond in kind. Whatever honor Protestants bestow upon tradition, they deny that its authority is coequal with Scripture. Becoming an Orthodox Christian is not easy, nor does it promise great happiness or success in this life. 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. Is Orthodox different from Catholic? 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. The Mission of The Orthodox Church in America, the local autocephalous Orthodox Christian Church, is to be faithful in fulfilling the commandment of Christ to Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 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. In 1523-24 the Reformers Ulrich Zwingli and Martin Luther donned the gown of the university scholar. Handcarved Theologically, just what is at stake in the differences between Protestant and Orthodox theology? John 6 Comments Cole Knight, a former Anglican, got Baptized in the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church. Why I'm Not Orthodox | Christianity Today Despite its historical estrangement from Rome, from a Protestant theological perspective Orthodoxy is similar to Catholicism at several points. Writing a book on Eastern Orthodoxy and working through the manuscript with my Russian students helped me to compare Orthodoxy and Protestant evangelicalism. Nicholas reversed the decision, reinstating Ignatius and deposing Photius. 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). 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. Step Two: Repentance There is no salvation without repentance. 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. "The Orthodox Church of Christ never lost the 'unity of faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit' and does not accept the theory of the restoration of the unity of those "who believe in Christ," because it believes that the unity of those who believe in Christ already exists in the unity of all of Her baptized children, between themselves and You can make an appointment to talk to our parish priest Fr Athanasios by contacting him at (03) 9387 7693. Worse, they considered the interpolation to be theologically untrue and a threat to the doctrine of the Trinity. Orthodox Christianity offers a third solution, that is faith with an emphasis on symbolism, inner experience, and Church communion. 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. She has offered more martyrs in the twentieth century under communism than most churches have members. Orthodox believers see things very differently. Orthodoxy affirms the real, physical presence of the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist (as do Catholics, Lutherans, and many Anglicans), yet unlike Catholicism it is content not to explain how this happens. Tom Hanks Legion Media The famous Hollywood actor converted to Orthodox Christianity as an adult. In fact, what Orthodox converts "vow to accept" diverges significantly from important, basic tenets of evangelical Protestantism. De Maistre, Billington says, was "convinced that Russia was an instrument chosen by Providence for the salvation of Europe." He was "fascinated by the possibility of converting this vast land to Catholicism." He launched a program towards that end. And these prayers are jam-packed. we'll be happy to answer it! 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. Before trying to discern how evangelicals should respond to these many issues involving Eastern Orthodoxy, a brief history is in order. They saw this as a perception skill, something anyone could (with diligent practice) hone; it has nothing to do with emotion. Bauxite mining would threaten birds, plants, and clean water. For we cannot forget that beauty (Envoys of the Russian Prince Vladimir, after experiencing the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Holy Wisdom in Constantinople in the year 987). Rather, "theosis" (literally, "deification"), or the progressive transformation of people into full likeness to God, in soul and body, takes center stage. For church membership? Contact | Her name is right belief. Alexandria, 350,000
Subscribe for our weekly newsletter not to miss the most interesting articles on our blog. Are Orthodox Christians "Bible believing?". My ideas havent changed, and Im always glad for a good discussion, but maybe Im past the need to belabor them. Liberalism is not a word in the Orthodox vocabulary. Several factors must be considered when converting to Greek Orthodox Christianity. Russia, 50-85 million
See something we missed? A wedding set o, Wedding Icon of Christ the Pantocrator (in Oklad /, A Handmade Bookcover For The Gospel. Not that every churchgoer is following that path, not that the church administration is perfect, but that the path still existedthats what amazed me. He shares his witness of it. The Orthodox Church has suffered throughout her history. (2 Pet. During my four years as a visiting professor at Moscow State University (1991-95) I often felt schizophrenic. You haven't "arrived" in this life. Sara Villate, 10, by a menorah during Hanukkah. People are attracted by the permanence of Orthodoxy. Applies to RCC too. It took me a few years to sense that there was a whole other something going on. Your email address will not be published. Why are Russian people (mostly) Orthodox Christians? Why do Orthodox Christians keep a vigil at the Tomb of Christ? If you have a specific question about Orthodox Christianity or the Orthodox Church in America, Those who will guide you through your period of instruction and formation surely will help you in this regard. Russian priest explains why westerners are converting to Orthodox Its not something you can figure out by studying the Church Fathers. One of the problems the Orthodox Church currently suffers in this country is a lack of converts. While the Church is certainly Divine in one respect, She is also comprised of human beingshuman beings that can, and do, err. ADL, AJC join Orthodox groups in Supreme Court case on supporting Harakas asked. Orthodox churches are full of them. It is precisely this exclusivistic assertion that some Protestant converts, in search of the "true, New Testament Church" have found so beguiling. It depends on where you put the emphasis. These arguments wont convert anyone. Greece, 9 million
Similar differences and disputes existed within early Christianity, but disputes within Christianity extended also to the place of Mosaic Law or Old Covenant in general in Christianity. If only you could get them to form two lines.). 7 Hollywood stars who adopted Orthodox Christianity 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've chosen Oriental Orthodoxy over the Byzantine Church because I believe that ours is closer in doctrine and liturgy to the earliest Christians. Nicola Yanney, Holy Man of Nebraska, Out of Appalachia: Orthodox Christianity and the Old Regular Baptists, What Do You Believe In? An Orthodox priest who lectured to standing-room-only crowds at Moscow State once described Orthodox theology to me as "music made in the conservatory," whereas he described Protestant theology as "music made in the honkytonk bars. John Meyendorff writes that "the Christian faith can in no way be compatible with the notion of sola scriptura." 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. Linguistic factors posed other, very practical problems. How To Become An Orthodox Christian - Journey To Orthodoxy A Aristocles Merarches Joined Apr 23, 2003 Messages 10,031 Reaction score 1 Points 0 Location Pittsburgh Aug 5, 2006 #4 Matthew777 said: Heres a clue to a third possibility. This is no archaic, dusty doctrine, either. The rise of Islam after Muhammad (died 632) was likewise crucial. Who can explain why one has fallen in love with a given person? July 2012 edited December 1969 in Coptic Orthodox Church As an Eastern Orthodox Christian, I am interested in finding out why all of you converts out there converted to the Coptic Orthodox Church, and not any one of the Eastern Orthodox Churches readily available in so many parts of the world. 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. I will always remember my first visit to an Orthodox church in Russia. Why Convert To Islam? - The American Conservative Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. I think people just dont believe me, and I hardly provide a good personal example. Different from forms of western Christianity, there is no rationalization or theorization of dogma because its focus is on symbology rather than the literal. And I would try hard, no doubt to the point of rudeness, to convince them this was not so. But I slowly came to see that I cant communicate it. As historians mostly suppose, Vladimir's turn to Orthodox Christianity was more about the improvement of Russians' connections with Christian states than about sentiments: for Rus, Byzantium. Affectionate attempts to obscure this quest feel suffocating. When we realize that every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle or a matter of conscience, then we are freed to engage fully people with whom we actually have profound differences without compromising our own theological commitments. Nicholas Kim. These are worthy pursuits that can be fulfilled in the Orthodox Church. But whether a non-Orthodox person can even be saved is an open question in Orthodox ecclesiology. 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. Such a question cannot be answered through the use of dogmatic assertions or theoretical musings. Share your feedback here. All Rights ReservedDesigned by Fr. Inherent in this claim, of course, is the charge that both Catholics and Protestants have lapsed from the true faith into error, if not outright heresy. I responded by writing back: "Because I am committed to key distinctives of the Protestant evangelical tradition.". Can you explain why some former clergy (from non-orthodox backgrounds) can enter without formal orthodox seminary education, while other former clergy (again, from non-orthodox backgrounds) are kept away even after the bishop (he who has the control and power) makes a statement that none may come to the clergy with our formal orthodox seminary? In some places in the world, Orthodoxy is the primary Christian game in town (as in Russia and Serbia), and it is inextricably wedded to the local ethnic culture. A Christian representation of Vladimir I, who was the first Rus' leader to officially bring Christianity to the region. They have not given up the idea of being clergy. Spiritual enlightenment changes everything. You can also subscribe without commenting. For Eastern Christians, this was yet another Roman encroachment upon their autonomy. Receive updates and announcements from Orthodox Witness. The Eucharist is a true, propitiatory sacrifice. These sacraments are not mere signs, symbols, or reminders. 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. The Orthodox Churches are united in faith and by a common approach to theology, tradition, and worship. In Russia, the largest figure usually cited for the Orthodox Church is 85 million people (some estimates are as low as 50 million), which means 100 million Russiansmore than half the countryare not affiliated with Orthodoxy. There is not going to be a restored "Celtic" Orthodoxy or "Anglo-Saxon" Orthodoxy. It is a good question, one I will answer in due course. He mentions one Church, not many. Orthodoxy looked like taking that escalator up one more floor; plenty of ceremony and beauty, but without the mainline churches affection for keeping up-to-date. 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). 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. Orthodoxy, in contrast, is a thoroughly aesthetic tradition, as attested by the central role played by icons. Our digital archives are a work in progress. Also, people should not join the Church in the hopes of solidifying an identity they have in the first place. It is not a religion but rather a way of life. Why should we welcome that? Orthodox worship can be overwhelmingly beautiful and attractiveon multiple, deeply-felt levelsbut this should not be the only reason why a person converts. And these prayers are jam-packed. Holy Orders are a mystery (sacrament) of the Church, and the Spirit blows where it will. These Protestant movements, important in their own right, are liturgical light years from Orthodoxy. Along with Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, Orthodox Christianity is one of the world's three major Christian traditions. Orthodox Priest Explains Why Many People in the West are Converting to Have something to add about this? There are other problems as well: overlapping jurisdictions, lack of communication across jurisdictional lines, and a tendency to isolate ourselves from communities in which we live. It doesnt matter how long they have served, or how extensive their education. My husband had been an Episcopal priest for 16 years, and we had gradually moved from evangelical-style "low church" to the more liturgically-fancy "high church." Christ is thus "the Offerer and the Offered, the Acceptor and the Distributed," all in such a way that nothing is added to his once-for-all sacrifice on the cross. Growing up in the Bible Belt, I was only ever exposed to Christian theology. I can remember, after Id been Orthodox a few years, developing an increasing sense of tension or frustration. Do we mean essential for salvation? I think people just dont believe me, and I hardly provide a good personal example. All Rights ReservedDesigned by Fr. One is attracted to Orthodoxy in the same way one falls in love. I hope so. . 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? Small bodies of Orthodox believers exist in other places as "autonomous" but not "autocephalous" churches (Finland, Japan, former Czechoslovakia, etc.). Orthodoxy generally affirms the same seven sacraments as Catholicism: baptism, chrismation or confirmation, the Eucharist, repentance or confession, holy orders or ordination, marriage, and holy unction or anointing of the sick. 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. Beyond the recovery of history and liturgy, there are deeper and more important questions. Most people like to be polite and get along, so they highlight what we hold in common. True, Luther and some other Protestants have not viewed baptismal regeneration and justification by faith as mutually exclusive. Jerusalem, 260,000
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 Do I Need to Do to Become Greek Orthodox? - Greek Boston "It was a calling of the soul," Devorah Guilah Koren, who converted from Catholicism with her husband and two children, told me.