Any converts from Eastern Orthodoxy?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MilesVitae
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
M

MilesVitae

Guest
Sorry if there is a better place to put this…
I’ve encountered a fair number of individuals who have converted from Catholicism to Eastern Orthodoxy, but met relatively few who left Eastern Orthodoxy (or Oriental Orthodoxy, for that matter) for Catholicism.
Are any of the Catholics here (Eastern or not) converts from Orthodoxy? What led you to Catholicism?
 
I am an Antiochian Orthodox who chose to enter into full Communion with Rome. Some reasons I joined Rome (and I will not debate my opinions with Orthodox posters):
  1. Some Orthodox Churches require protestants and Catholics to be re-baptised. Some Orthodox Churches require protestants and Catholics to not be re-baptised.
  2. The Orthodox Church allows divorce and remarriage.
  3. Some Orthodox Churches allow some forms of contraception and other forbid it.
  4. They cannot agree as to whether “Latin” figures such as Augustine are “saints,” or “venerable,” or merely confused Christians, or even arch-heretics (nor have I seen any ‘official’ EO pronouncements for the last option). Further, many don’t give the pre-schism Western Fathers as much respect or recognition as they do the Eastern Fathers (though some of them are trying to fix this).
  5. They have not had an Ecumenical Council in over 1,000 years, and this is apparently because they have no objective means of calling and establishing one (via Christian emperor or Roman pope). Supposedly, they haven’t needed to define any teachings of doctrines or morality for 1,000 years. The first three points show that they do need an Ecumenical Council.
  6. Which Orthodox group constitutes the true faith and succession from the Apostles? Besides the Eastern Orthodox in communion with Constantinople, there are tons of schismatic “True” Orthodox Churches. What to choose? What is the definition of Orthodox? Which teachings are essential to be Orthodox. Which teachings are heretical and make one cease to be Orthodox.
The “True” Orthodox Churches teach the Orthodox faith and have valid apostolic succession. Does this make them Orthodox? They are not in Communion with any ancient Sees. Does this make them not Orthodox.

Then there are the Oriental Orthodox. Who decides what Orthodoxy is? The Oriental Orthodox Fathers say that the Orientals are Orthodox. The Eastern Orthodox Fathers say that the Easterners are Orthodox. Both sets of Fathers believe that the other set is heterodox.

The Fathers define Orthodoxy and Orthodoxy defines who the Fathers are. This is circular reasoning and it makes little sense to me.

Authority was a key issue for me.
2 Maccabees 6:2 And to pollute also the temple in Jerusalem [Judah], and to call it the temple of Jupiter Olympius; and that [temple] in Garizim [Northern Israel/Samaria], of Jupiter the Defender of strangers, as they did desire that dwelt in the place.

There were two temples. There was one on Mount Moriah, instituted by God, used by the Jews [Judah]. And there was another on Mount Gerizim, instituted by man, used by the Samaritans [Northern Israel].

In all the time that Judah was idolatrous, did God ever permit the righteous to break communion with Jerusalem and the son of David? No. Did idolatrous priests who changed the sacrificial rituals invalidate the sacrifices? No [read 1 Samuel 2:12-17].

The prophets worshipped in Jerusalem even though the anointed of God, the king, was evil. No righteous Israelite would ever think of leaving communion with Jerusalem, the house of David. The Catholics worshipped in the Catholic Church even though anointed of God’s vicar, the pope, was evil. No righteous Catholic would ever think of leaving communion with Rome, the See of Peter.

No prophet ever decided to separate from Jerusalem.

One must not leave communion with the Son of David’s vicar, Peter, even though the Catholic Church militant has been filled with corrupted leaders. Note: Even today, the Samaritans follow the Law more strictly than the Jews. That, however, doesn’t change the fact that they went in schism away from Jerusalem.
 
Note from Moderator:

The topic of this thread is allowed under the forum rules, but the responses to this question provide Catholics with an opportunity to bait Orthodox into an off-topic debate and provide Orthodox with an opportunity to accept the bait, neither being acceptable. Problems with inappropriate content should be reported via the “Report Post” feature. Just click the http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/buttons_cak/report.gif image in the problematic post and fill out the form.

People experiencing theological or spiritual problems that are affecting the well-being of their physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health should seek the counsel of their priests, confessors and/or spiritual directors who are known to them and have been entrusted with the care of their souls because this is not an appropriate venue for resolving such problems. While well-intentioned, any advice could, potentially, be dangerous.

There is a clear-cut risk involved in accepting, relying, or acting on the expressed opinions of those who either lack relevant professional qualifications and credentials, or whose claims to such cannot be validated. Similarly, the experience or response of others in what appears to be a similar or identical set of circumstances is not an accurate measure of its applicability to someone else’s situation.

As our Lord cautioned, “To whom much is given, of him will much be required” (Luke 12:48). Here at CAF, we believe that the truth will take care of itself. Our job is to reveal it as charitably as we can. Catholic Answers does provide an avenue for pastoral support, Catholic answers to moral questions, and the prayers of our staff. We are open Monday thru Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM Pacific Time. The phone number is 619-387-7200.

May God Bless You Abundantly,
Catherine Grant
 
Zekariya said:
I am an Antiochian Orthodox who chose to enter into full Communion with Rome. Some reasons I joined Rome (and I will not debate my opinions with Orthodox posters):
  1. Some Orthodox Churches require protestants and Catholics to be re-baptised. Some Orthodox Churches require protestants and Catholics to not be re-baptised.
  2. The Orthodox Church allows divorce and remarriage.
  3. Some Orthodox Churches allow some forms of contraception and other forbid it.
  4. They cannot agree as to whether “Latin” figures such as Augustine are “saints,” or “venerable,” or merely confused Christians, or even arch-heretics (nor have I seen any ‘official’ EO pronouncements for the last option). Further, many don’t give the pre-schism Western Fathers as much respect or recognition as they do the Eastern Fathers (though some of them are trying to fix this).
  5. They have not had an Ecumenical Council in over 1,000 years, and this is apparently because they have no objective means of calling and establishing one (via Christian emperor or Roman pope). Supposedly, they haven’t needed to define any teachings of doctrines or morality for 1,000 years. The first three points show that they do need an Ecumenical Council.
  6. Which Orthodox group constitutes the true faith and succession from the Apostles? Besides the Eastern Orthodox in communion with Constantinople, there are tons of schismatic “True” Orthodox Churches. What to choose? What is the definition of Orthodox? Which teachings are essential to be Orthodox. Which teachings are heretical and make one cease to be Orthodox.
The “True” Orthodox Churches teach the Orthodox faith and have valid apostolic succession. Does this make them Orthodox? They are not in Communion with any ancient Sees. Does this make them not Orthodox.

Then there are the Oriental Orthodox. Who decides what Orthodoxy is? The Oriental Orthodox Fathers say that the Orientals are Orthodox. The Eastern Orthodox Fathers say that the Easterners are Orthodox. Both sets of Fathers believe that the other set is heterodox.

The Fathers define Orthodoxy and Orthodoxy defines who the Fathers are. This is circular reasoning and it makes little sense to me.

Authority was a key issue for me.
2 Maccabees 6:2 And to pollute also the temple in Jerusalem [Judah], and to call it the temple of Jupiter Olympius; and that [temple] in Garizim [Northern Israel/Samaria], of Jupiter the Defender of strangers, as they did desire that dwelt in the place.

There were two temples. There was one on Mount Moriah, instituted by God, used by the Jews [Judah]. And there was another on Mount Gerizim, instituted by man, used by the Samaritans [Northern Israel].

In all the time that Judah was idolatrous, did God ever permit the righteous to break communion with Jerusalem and the son of David? No. Did idolatrous priests who changed the sacrificial rituals invalidate the sacrifices? No [read 1 Samuel 2:12-17].

The prophets worshipped in Jerusalem even though the anointed of God, the king, was evil. No righteous Israelite would ever think of leaving communion with Jerusalem, the house of David. The Catholics worshipped in the Catholic Church even though anointed of God’s vicar, the pope, was evil. No righteous Catholic would ever think of leaving communion with Rome, the See of Peter.

No prophet ever decided to separate from Jerusalem.

One must not leave communion with the Son of David’s vicar, Peter, even though the Catholic Church militant has been filled with corrupted leaders. Note: Even today, the Samaritans follow the Law more strictly than the Jews. That, however, doesn’t change the fact that they went in schism away from Jerusalem.
Click to expand...
Good explanation! 👍
 
MilesVitae said:
… but met relatively few who left Eastern Orthodoxy (or Oriental Orthodoxy, for that matter) for Catholicism.
Click to expand...
It does still happen sometimes, but not as much as it did a few centuries ago. (Not by a long shot.)
 
I changed from Orthodoxy to Eastern Catholicism mainly to some of the reasons listed by the first poster. Chiefly that I wanted to be in communion with the bishop of Rome and also I wanted to have the same fath as my wife who is Roman Catholic and did not want to convert to eastern orthodoxy.

Fr Dn John
 
Dear brother Miles,

I’m sure you’ve read my testimony already, but for others who haven’t:

I joined the Catholic communion from Oriental Orthodoxy (Coptic Orthodox). But I do not feel I converted, because I still hold to my Oriental Orthodox beliefs. I have rejected nothing of my Oriental Orthodox faith. I have simply rejected the misconceptions I had about Catholicism. Hence, I joined the Catholic Church.

My Filipina wife is a Roman Catholic, but she had nothing to do with my translation to Catholicism since, I was already convinced of the truth of Catholicism before I met her.

As a Catholic, I certainly do accept the Catholic teachings on such issues as contraception and divorce/remarriage.

Blessings,
Marduk

P.S. I know of others who converted to Catholicism from Orthodoxy, but I think they mostly frequent the Apologetics forum.
MilesVitae said:
Sorry if there is a better place to put this…
I’ve encountered a fair number of individuals who have converted from Catholicism to Eastern Orthodoxy, but met relatively few who left Eastern Orthodoxy (or Oriental Orthodoxy, for that matter) for Catholicism.
Are any of the Catholics here (Eastern or not) converts from Orthodoxy? What led you to Catholicism?
Click to expand...
 
mardukm said:
Perhaps it is difficult for certain Catholics (particularly Latin Catholics) to understand the concept, but there is actually no doctrinal divide between most of Orthodoxy (Oriental and Eastern) and Catholicism on these matters.
Click to expand...
I thought about posting a retort in defense of the Orthodox point of view, but I don’t want to cause some of my fellow Catholics (particularly Latin Catholics, to use your own phrase) to say that I’m “sympathizing with schism” or anything like that – especially not at the start of a brand new year :).
 
mardukm said:
Dear brother Miles,

I’m sure you’ve read my testimony already, but for others who haven’t:
Click to expand...
Yes, many times 🙂
I joined the Catholic communion from Oriental Orthodoxy (Coptic Orthodox). But I do not feel I converted, because I still hold to my Oriental Orthodox beliefs. I have rejected nothing of my Oriental Orthodox faith. I have simply rejected the misconceptions I had about Catholicism. Hence, I joined the Catholic Church.
Click to expand...
P.S. I know of others who converted to Catholicism from Orthodoxy, but I think they mostly frequent the Apologetics forum.
Click to expand...
Ah, thank you, perhaps I will try there as well.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top