Concern Regarding Conversion

[Hellenised]

Recently, I have begun to seriously consider the first steps towars conversion. I do have a bit of a dilemma, though, and I’ve decided that it has to be addressed before I do anything of serious gravity.

I was not raised within any sort of Christian framework (with the notable exceptions of Bible stories like the Deluge, the ‘God is Great, God is Good’ grace before meals), and as a result, my experience with Christianity was, for the longest time, lacking.

When I began to seriously consider the issue three years ago during the summer between my ninth and tenth grade school-years, I came to fully realise the depth of historic Christianity, and took an enormous liking to Byzantine Christianity. Thence, I have considered it to be my ‘native’ form of Christianity.

The problem, naturally, is more one of comfort than theology; the area in which I now live has no Byzantine parish.

Coming to conversion, however, I realise I have two choices: conversion to Latin Catholicism, or Orthodoxy. Because I accept the Bishop of Rome as Head of the Church on Earth, Orthodoxy is clearly out of the question.

This, of course, means converting to Latin Catholicism. I have no theological problems with the Latin Church. My problem, however, is that the Mass is foreign to me.

Make no mistake, I find both the OF and EF beautiful, but they’re just not my… ‘thing’. In a Latin parish, I feel very much like a stranger in a strange land , no doubt just like some Latins would in a Byzantine parish.

Anyway, thank you for your time.

 

[po18guy]

The liturgy is different, but the exact same thing is occurring - but you must know that. Do not let a difference in rite keep you away! When I am aware that the angels of heaven hover overhead at the singing of the “holy, holy, holy”; when I realize that I am in the upper room with the twelve; when I realize that I am at the foot of the cross at mass; when I am aware that our Lord Jesus is truly present in the Holy Eucharist, nothing else matters. Time stops, heaven is opened unto us and He is made present in the Priest’s hands. It does not matter the rite or even the language. Words fail.

 

[po18guy]

The liturgy is different, but the exact same thing is occurring - but you must know that. Do not let a difference in rite keep you away! When I am aware that the angels of heaven hover overhead at the singing of the “holy, holy, holy”; when I realize that I am in the upper room with the twelve; when I realize that I am at the foot of the cross at mass; when I am aware that our Lord Jesus is truly present in the Holy Eucharist, nothing else matters. Time stops, heaven is opened unto us and He is made present in the Priest’s hands. It does not matter the rite or even the language. Words fail.

 

[Credo_ergo_sum]

Convert to Catholicism and go to Orthodox Vespers on saturdays?

 

[Andre1000]

Easter Catholic Churches are under the pope, are full Catholic and have an orthodox liturgie. Also the EF is supposed to be foreign and timeless.

 

[Iron_Donkey]

The problem, naturally, is more one of comfort than theology; the area in which I now live has no Byzantine parish.

Coming to conversion, however, I realise I have two choices: conversion to Latin Catholicism, or Orthodoxy. Because I accept the Bishop of Rome as Head of the Church on Earth, Orthodoxy is clearly out of the question.

This, of course, means converting to Latin Catholicism. I have no theological problems with the Latin Church. My problem, however, is that the Mass is foreign to me.

Make no mistake, I find both the OF and EF beautiful, but they’re just not my… ‘thing’. In a Latin parish, I feel very much like a stranger in a strange land , no doubt just like some Latins would in a Byzantine parish.

Anyway, thank you for your time.

I can understand where you’re coming from - I’ve only attended an Eastern liturgy once, and while it was beautiful it seemed somewhat foreign and I was not terribly comfortable there.

From your “three years ago comment”, I am guessing you are roughly college age, so it may be possible that you’ll be moving around some in the near(ish) future. Since the Mass and Divine Liturgy (hope I’m using the right phrase there) are in fact the same thing, it may be worth starting the conversion process now for the sake of truth knowing that you will be slightly uncomfortable for while until you find yourself in an area with a Byzantine parish. That way you’d still belong to the Church God founded and have access to all the sacraments He instilled for our benefit now, while being able to attend the liturgy you’re drawn to as soon as you’d be able to if you don’t join up any way.

That said, if you do decide to begin the process before there is an Eastern parish nearby, you would probably want to talk to a priest and mention you feel drawn to an Eastern Church so that you can make sure you end up as a member of one.

In fact, your best bet would probably be just to talk to a priest in any case.

Either way, good luck and hope it all works out for you.