Are there any Catholics on here that used to be Orthodox? If so, why did you convert?

  • Thread starter Thread starter SingleMomMonica
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
S

SingleMomMonica

Guest
This is basically opposite of another thread here in Non-Catholic Religions. I answered the other thread, but it made me curious if anyone here has gone from Orthodox to Catholic.

What made you decide to change Faiths?

Is there anything that you miss?

Is there anything that really amazes you now that you are a Catholic?
 
This is basically opposite of another thread here in Non-Catholic Religions. I answered the other thread, but it made me curious if anyone here has gone from Orthodox to Catholic.

What made you decide to change Faiths?

Is there anything that you miss?

Is there anything that really amazes you now that you are a Catholic?
 
I have an Orthodox friend who has been studying Catholicism for a while now. But she has not as of yet crossed the tiber. So your question is a good one. I to was hoping you would have gotton a response to this thread. Your Catholic to Orthodox thread recieved a lot of posts.
 
I think there is/was at least one poster here who used to be Russian Orthodox but is now Catholic. “Ruslan”, if I remember correctly…?

Did I just dream that? :confused:
 
Hi 🙂

I was baptized Eastern (Russian) Orthodox as a child… I’m now a Catholic. The reason I changed is because through research and prayer, I began to believe in the Papacy and other Catholic doctrines. It’s funny cause in the beginning I didn’t WANT to be Catholic at all. I was so resistant. I believe this was God’s work. (of course if you’re Orthodox you’d disagree with me, but I just wanted to explain my journey.)

I love many aspects of Orthodoxy, but I feel at peace now that I’m Catholic. I feel that i’m ‘home’. I love the Rosary and tbe Blessed Sacrament and all the doctrines/devotions.

God bless
 
Hi 🙂

I was baptized Eastern (Russian) Orthodox as a child… I’m now a Catholic. The reason I changed is because through research and prayer, I began to believe in the Papacy and other Catholic doctrines. It’s funny cause in the beginning I didn’t WANT to be Catholic at all. I was so resistant. I believe this was God’s work. (of course if you’re Orthodox you’d disagree with me, but I just wanted to explain my journey.)

I love many aspects of Orthodoxy, but I feel at peace now that I’m Catholic. I feel that i’m ‘home’. I love the Rosary and tbe Blessed Sacrament and all the doctrines/devotions.

God bless
Hurray! I’m so happy to get a response. I nearly missed it too!

I’ve got some questions for you:

Now you say you were baptized Orthodox - was that it or did you attend Church regularly also up to the moment you changed Faiths? Did you have a time when you were not practicing the Orthodox Faith for months or years before you decided to look into the Catholic Church?

While Orthodox did you have an Orthodox Spiritual Father who gave you a specific Prayer Rule and led you in your spiritual life? If so, did you speak with spiritual father about your interest/attraction to the Catholic Church?

What first attracted you to even look at the Catholic Church?

Did you officially convert, or did you just speak with the Catholic Parish Pastor let him know you were Orthodox and based on Canon Law he said you could immediately begin receiving the Sacraments in the Catholic Church?

If you did officially convert, were you baptized & confirmed or just confirmed?

The CCC speaks briefly about the Jesus Prayer - do you still practice the Prayer in addition to the Rosary or has the Rosary and other devotions replaced it in your spiritual life? Do you still try to practice unceasing prayer with something besides the Jesus Prayer - in a Catholic book of Indulgences, it refers to some specific prayers which it calls ejaculations - do you do those instead?

Since you’re ‘home’ in the Catholic Church, have you ever gone back to an Orthodox Divine Liturgy?

Is there anything you miss about the Orthodox Faith?

Are you married? Did you marry in the Catholic Church? If so, did it bother you in anyway that you only had the betrothal rite of the exchange of rings and not the marriage rite of coronation? If you’re not married now, does it bother you to know that you will not have the both the betrothal and marriage rites performed at your wedding?

Do you have children? Does it bother you that they were not permitted as infants and young children to receive Confirmation & the Holy Eucharist? If you don’t have children now, does it bother you to know that they will be forbidden Confirmation & Holy Communion for years?

Sorry I know I have a lot of questions. To give you a background on why - I used to be a Catholic then converted to the Orthodox Faith after years of research, study and prayer and then went back to the Catholic Church looking back mostly because of peer pressure from Catholic friends/aquaintances. It was just a couple of months ago after looking again at the history & theology of the two Churches, I came back to Orthodoxy. The questions I have about marriage & children I ask because going back to the Catholic Church for that year I was never able to settle many things within my heart about being Catholic - those were just two of the things.

Yes, it’s true that you and I are on different sides now and therefore will disagree, but I am very interested to here more about your personal journey. I find it very interesting 🙂
 
Hurray! I’m so happy to get a response. I nearly missed it too!
🙂
I’ve got some questions for you:
Now you say you were baptized Orthodox - was that it or did you attend Church regularly also up to the moment you changed Faiths? Did you have a time when you were not practicing the Orthodox Faith for months or years before you decided to look into the Catholic Church?
I was baptized Eastern Orthodox when I was around 12-13… I was baptized with my whole family. However, we didn’t go to church every Sunday. Then, we moved further away and attended even less. In high school, I became an agnostic… I wasn’t receiving the Sacraments at this time. When I came to university, I found faith in God, and decided to attend Church again. However, before this happened, I got involved in a Protestant club on campus, which lead me to becoming a Protestant… I began attending a non denominational church and adopted their beliefs.

In time, I felt lead to believe in the Eucharist… and (though this was very hard, lol) left the non denom church and decided to be Orthodox. So I read up on Orthodoxy and went back to my old parish and went to Confession and Communion.

But soon after that, I started my journey to Catholicism. I continued reading about Orthodoxy and Catholicism over the next year or so because I had to decide which one I should be…

hope that helps 🙂
While Orthodox did you have an Orthodox Spiritual Father who gave you a specific Prayer Rule and led you in your spiritual life? If so, did you speak with spiritual father about your interest/attraction to the Catholic Church?
no, I didn’t have a Spiritual Father
What first attracted you to even look at the Catholic Church?
maybe this would help 🙂 it’s my story
totus-tuus2009.blogspot.com/
Did you officially convert, or did you just speak with the Catholic Parish Pastor let him know you were Orthodox and based on Canon Law he said you could immediately begin receiving the Sacraments in the Catholic Church?
I officially converted, but I didn’t go through RCIA. I just met up with the priest, and read books
If you did officially convert, were you baptized & confirmed or just confirmed?
I did not need to be baptized or confirmed
The CCC speaks briefly about the Jesus Prayer - do you still practice the Prayer in addition to the Rosary or has the Rosary and other devotions replaced it in your spiritual life?
I’ve never prayed the Jesus Prayer, even as an Orthodox… sometimes I say “Lord have mercy on me a sinner” but only once or twice, not like the Orthodox do with the prayer rope

my main devotions are the Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, Divine Mercy…
Do you still try to practice unceasing prayer with something besides the Jesus Prayer - in a Catholic book of Indulgences, it refers to some specific prayers which it calls ejaculations - do you do those instead?
sometimes
Since you’re ‘home’ in the Catholic Church, have you ever gone back to an Orthodox Divine Liturgy?
not yet, but I’ll visit when my family goes on Christmas 🙂
Is there anything you miss about the Orthodox Faith?
to be honest, I never really got into it, probably cause I was younger and didn’t understand much and didn’t yet believe. … however, while I was discerning my conversion, I did visit the Orthodox church several times with my dad, and read about Orthodoxy

I really liked the music, however it’s similar to the Gregorian Chant at the TLM, which I sometimes attend

in the beginning, I missed the Divine Liturgy, but then I got to love the Mass too, and in the end I’m Catholic cause I believe it’s’ true and out of obedience to where I believe God lead me
Are you married? Did you marry in the Catholic Church? If so, did it bother you in anyway that you only had the betrothal rite of the exchange of rings and not the marriage rite of coronation? If you’re not married now, does it bother you to know that you will not have the both the betrothal and marriage rites performed at your wedding?
I’m not married, but it doesn’t bother me…
Do you have children? Does it bother you that they were not permitted as infants and young children to receive Confirmation & the Holy Eucharist? If you don’t have children now, does it bother you to know that they will be forbidden Confirmation & Holy Communion for years?
I don’t have children… I don’t know how I’d feel about this if I did. I like both ways for different reasons… I like how children in the EOC can have all the Sacraments, but I also like how in the RCC, their first Communion can be a special event that they prepare for and understand what’s going on
Sorry I know I have a lot of questions. To give you a background on why - I used to be a Catholic then converted to the Orthodox Faith after years of research, study and prayer and then went back to the Catholic Church looking back mostly because of peer pressure from Catholic friends/aquaintances. It was just a couple of months ago after looking again at the history & theology of the two Churches, I came back to Orthodoxy. The questions I have about marriage & children I ask because going back to the Catholic Church for that year I was never able to settle many things within my heart about being Catholic - those were just two of the things.
Yes, it’s true that you and I are on different sides now and therefore will disagree, but I am very interested to here more about your personal journey. I find it very interesting 🙂
no probs, hope my answers are clear 🙂

God bless!
 
🙂 I was baptized Eastern Orthodox when I was around 12-13… I was baptized with my whole family. However, we didn’t go to church every Sunday. Then, we moved further away and attended even less. In high school, I became an agnostic… I wasn’t receiving the Sacraments at this time. When I came to university, I found faith in God, and decided to attend Church again. However, before this happened, I got involved in a Protestant club on campus, which lead me to becoming a Protestant… I began attending a non denominational church and adopted their beliefs.

In time, I felt lead to believe in the Eucharist… and (though this was very hard, lol) left the non denom church and decided to be Orthodox. So I read up on Orthodoxy and went back to my old parish and went to Confession and Communion.

But soon after that, I started my journey to Catholicism. I continued reading about Orthodoxy and Catholicism over the next year or so because I had to decide which one I should be… hope that helps 🙂

no, I didn’t have a Spiritual Father

maybe this would help 🙂 it’s my story
totus-tuus2009.blogspot.com/

I officially converted, but I didn’t go through RCIA. I just met up with the priest, and read books I did not need to be baptized or confirmed

Then you’re still technically an Orthodox Christian receiving the Sacraments of the Catholic Church: Penance, Holy Eucharist & Annointing of the Sick as described in the Catholic Code of Canon Law # 844 section 3 - my bolding

Can. 844 §1. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments licitly to Catholic members of the Christian faithful alone, who likewise receive them licitly from Catholic ministers alone, without prejudice to the prescripts of §§2, 3, and 4 of this canon, and ⇒ can. 861, §2.

§2. Whenever necessity requires it or true spiritual advantage suggests it, and provided that danger of error or of indifferentism is avoided, the Christian faithful for whom it is physically or morally impossible to approach a Catholic minister are permitted to receive the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick from non-
Catholic ministers in whose Churches these sacraments are valid.

§3. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick licitly to members of Eastern Churches which do not have full communion with the Catholic Church if they seek such on their own accord and are properly disposed. This is also valid for members of other Churches which in the judgment of the Apostolic See are in the same condition in regard to the sacraments as these Eastern Churches.

I understand you identifying yourself as a Catholic since it was a conscience decision you made carefully.

I’ve never prayed the Jesus Prayer, even as an Orthodox… sometimes I say “Lord have mercy on me a sinner” but only once or twice, not like the Orthodox do with the prayer rope

my main devotions are the Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, Divine Mercy…

not yet, but I’ll visit when my family goes on Christmas 🙂

Great, once you do, will you please up date this thread with your experience.

to be honest, I never really got into it, probably cause I was younger and didn’t understand much and didn’t yet believe. … however, while I was discerning my conversion, I did visit the Orthodox church several times with my dad, and read about Orthodoxy

Reading about and experiencing the Orthodox Faith are two different things entirely; however, I believe that you truly have an honest heart and have made the decision with a clear heart.

I really liked the music, however it’s similar to the Gregorian Chant at the TLM, which I sometimes attend

in the beginning, I missed the Divine Liturgy, but then I got to love the Mass too, and in the end I’m Catholic cause I believe it’s’ true and out of obedience to where I believe God lead me

I understand. I missed the Divine Liturgy too, but I tried to ignore it for about a year.

I’m not married, but it doesn’t bother me…

Okay.

I don’t have children… I don’t know how I’d feel about this if I did. I like both ways for different reasons… I like how children in the EOC can have all the Sacraments, but I also like how in the RCC, their first Communion can be a special event that they prepare for and understand what’s going on

For me, the more I thought about it - the chance of getting married and having more children made me so sad for them that they would be rejected by Christ in the Catholic Church for, depending on the diocese, 7 to 12 years. “Let the little children come unto Me” kept echoing in my mind whenever I though of having more children - I had to try to ignore the potential future of more children who would be affected by the Catholic Church’s current practice of not communing infants/children because it was so sad to me.

no probs, hope my answers are clear 🙂

Yeah totally! Thanks so much! I had to print a copy your story since it’s a little long and I’m out the door for the weekend - I look forward to reading it. 🙂

God bless! You too!
 
Then you’re still technically an Orthodox Christian receiving the Sacraments of the Catholic Church: Penance, Holy Eucharist & Annointing of the Sick as described in the Catholic Code of Canon Law # 844 section 3 - my bolding
I’m fairly certain I am Catholic.
This is what every single priest has told me. (including my spiritual director who studied canon law :))

I didn’t just start receiving the Eucharist and going to Confession…

I had a formal ceremony during the Easter Vigil where I made a profession of faith (where I accepted all the Catholic teachings), was received into the Catholic Church (formally), and then received the Eucharist.

I was told by everyone that since the RCC recognizes Orthodox Sacraments, I don’t need to be rebaptized. Even Protestants don’t usually get rebaptized 🙂

when I said that I didn’t go through RCIA, I meant that my preparation process was different
 
Great, once you do, will you please up date this thread with your experience.
sure 🙂
Reading about and experiencing the Orthodox Faith are two different things entirely;
that’s what I’ve been told… I always attended church when my family did, but it wasn’t very often so it’s quite possible I didn’t get a full experience of it. Also because I didn’t have a spiritual father or did any devotions. When I visited the Orthodox church during my conversion process, I tried to understand it more cause I really felt torn between the two churches for a while, and needed all the experience I could get 🙂
however, I believe that you truly have an honest heart and have made the decision with a clear heart.
of course only God knows if I’ve made the right decision, but I made it with faith
I understand. I missed the Divine Liturgy too, but I tried to ignore it for about a year.
I’ve heard this happening to some people. I don’t know for me, I don’t really think about Catholicism vs Orthodoxy anymore, I’m trying to grow as a Christian and deal with sin/growing in holiness… I find the Eucharist is of the most importance to me 🙂

I’m glad though that I can still go to Divine Liturgy and receive the Eucharist there, at Eastern Catholic churches. 🙂 they’re a lot like Orthodox, but believe in the Pope and Catholicism. I dont live near any such parishes at the moment, but maybe someday.

However…I have to say in my spirituality I’m very “Western”, and my favourite type of liturgy is the TLM… I guess it’s because my conversion has taken place in the Latin rite, as opposed to Eastern rite, so the Latin rite feels the most like ‘home’ to me.
For me, the more I thought about it - the chance of getting married and having more children made me so sad for them that they would be rejected by Christ in the Catholic Church for, depending on the diocese, 7 to 12 years. “Let the little children come unto Me” kept echoing in my mind whenever I though of having more children - I had to try to ignore the potential future of more children who would be affected by the Catholic Church’s current practice of not communing infants/children because it was so sad to me.
I can understand that… but I wonder how do the children see it? maybe it varies… I know with St Therese, (I read her book where she describes her life) - she was really excited for her first Communion because of all that she had learned about it, and the event was special for her because she understood it. So it can be a joyous occasion too. And children can still attend Mass and get blessings…I don’t really see it like Christ is rejecting them, I don’t know

by the way, keep in mind this practice only exists in the Latin rite. In the Eastern Catholic rites, children can also receive Communion, just like in Orthodoxy 🙂

there’s much variety in Catholicism in terms of practice (of course,not doctrine)
Yeah totally! Thanks so much! I had to print a copy your story since it’s a little long and I’m out the door for the weekend - I look forward to reading it.
please let me know what you think, when you have time

God bless
 
🙂
I was baptized Eastern Orthodox when I was around 12-13… I was baptized with my whole family. However, we didn’t go to church every Sunday. Then, we moved further and attended even less.

I became an agnostic… I wasn’t receiving the Sacraments at this time. When I came to university, I got involved in a Protestant club on campus, which lead me to becoming a Protestant… But soon after that, I started my journey to Catholicism. I continued reading about Orthodoxy and Catholicism over the next year or so because I had to decide which one I should be…
no, I didn’t have a Spiritual Father
maybe this would help 🙂 it’s my story
totus-tuus2009.blogspot.com/
I’ve never prayed the Jesus Prayer, even as an Orthodox… sometimes I say “Lord have mercy on me a sinner” but only once or twice, not like the Orthodox do with the prayer rope
to be honest, I never really got into it, probably cause I was younger and didn’t understand much and didn’t yet believe. … however, while I was discerning my conversion, I did visit the Orthodox church several times with my dad, and read about Orthodoxy
I really liked the music
in the beginning, I missed the Divine Liturgy
God bless!

Hi Monica,
I read your conversion story. What immediately struck me as ironic is that the Protestant group you joined in university was Campus Crusades for Christ, since it was the original 18 founders of Campus Crusades for Christ that together with each of their own parishes came into the Orthodox Church in a mass conversion! LOL
Their story is recorded in Fr. Gillquist’s book, “Coming Home: Why Protestant Clergy are Becoming Orthodox”. You didn’t mention it in your story, probably due to space, but I’m sure you already knew this & were already familiar with it since you say you researched Orthodoxy extensively before leaving it for the Catholic Church.
You also probably also studied the works by Michael Whelton: “Popes and Patriarchs” and “Two Paths, Papal Monarchy-Collegial Tradition” and the works of Clark Carlton: “The Way, What Every Protestant Should Know About the Orthodox Church” and “The Truth, What Every Roman Catholic Should Know About the Orthodox Church”, right?
Your testimony reflects that you were very influenced by private revelations which the Catholic Church has approved, but do not require it’s Faithful to believe. You say that they became “essential” to you. Did you balance it by looking at how the Orthodox Church views those specific private revelations before clinging to them?
I am happy for you that you have drawn close to God. Your story sounds clear that you’d never been truly converted to Orthodoxy and to Christ when you were Orthodox. I’m glad you have now been converted to Christ.
Just remember that our spiritual journey never ends until we reach our eternal destination. Which I hope is the same for the both of us: Heaven.
Thank you for sharing your story!
Monica-SingleMom
 
Hi, 🙂

yes I knew that about Campus for Christ

about the private revelations, they’re not the basis for my conversion, rather they encouraged me in what I was already experiencing 🙂 I was just afraid to go forward with it, and the revelations/devotions helped me open up.

when I said the word “essential”, I wasn’t referring to private revelations, but to doctrines which I never before thought mattered (like Sacraments, Mary, etc)

God bless
 
I grew up in a Catholic/Russian Orthodox home.
Russian father, French mother.
The two faiths seemed to meld pretty easily in or home:D
 
I grew up in a Catholic/Russian Orthodox home.
Russian father, French mother.
The two faiths seemed to meld pretty easily in or home:D
🙂 how did you end up choosing Catholicism?
I see that you were also JW! wow 🙂 I’d be interested to hear your story if you ever want to tell!

God bless!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top