EO or RC. How can a Protestant decide?

[adf417]

Yes, I was also beginning to think this discussion had too much insight. Thanks!

Hi dronald, This is about where I expected this discussion would get to which brings me back to my original post/point. I know you are a very intelligent person and yet you see the difficulty in seeing the absolute truth. There are many others out there who are not as intelligent as yourself who will never be able to disseminate the information out there to make an intelligent decision on their level. Even if you do get to a point where you feel confident you are making the correct decision based on your research where does that leave the individual with a much lower IQ than you?

Who will console the child when he is troubled? Who will protect the child when the bullies at school are overwhelming to him? Who will help the child discern what life is all about? Who will definitively correct the child when he has made the wrong choice?..his parents and more specifically his father who is head of the household.

We all have Jesus in spirit to guide us but as you can see that is not working very well in all earthly maters and therefore we must look to His bride, the church, as our earthly divine parent to guide us. And this church must have a definitive voice otherwise, as this thread is evidence, you and I will be lost sheep wondering aimlessly forever.

Jesus will be with us for all times and He did establish a church to lead us with its earthly head to lead His people - like any good father is head of his household.

Peace be with you!!!

 

[Misplaced_Book]

(p.s.- The only reason you even have that diversity to brag about is because of the preexisting non-Catholic churches from which your Eastern compatriots are carved out. There are no indigenous “Catholic” forms of worship in the non-Western world, only adaptations of preexisting Eastern worship according to RCC doctrinal principles, and the importation of wholly Western institutions like religious “orders” in place of monasticism, hence you don’t have Coptic monastics among the Catholic faction of that people, only Franciscans and the like. Eastern Catholic monasticism, such as it is, is just such a manipulation of Eastern monasticism or importation of Western norms, e.g., the ever-popular “Maronite Monks of the Adoration”, whose name is practically only truthful in its preposition).

The U-word leaves a bad taste in everybody’s mouth.

It goes beyond externals, and the “Hey we have these guys too!” type of tokenism that can be put forth.

 

[pocohombre]

Hi dronald, This is about where I expected this discussion would get to which brings me back to my original post/point. I know you are a very intelligent person and yet you see the difficulty in seeing the absolute truth. There are many others out there who are not as intelligent as yourself who will never be able to disseminate the information out there to make an intelligent decision on their level. Even if you do get to a point where you feel confident you are making the correct decision based on your research where does that leave the individual with a much lower IQ than you?

Who will console the child when he is troubled? Who will protect the child when the bullies at school are overwhelming to him? Who will help the child discern what life is all about? Who will definitively correct the child when he has made the wrong choice?..his parents and more specifically his father who is head of the household.

We all have Jesus in spirit to guide us but as you can see that is not working very well in all earthly maters and therefore we must look to His bride, the church, as our earthly divine parent to guide us. And this church must have a definitive voice otherwise, as this thread is evidence, you and I will be lost sheep wondering aimlessly forever.

Jesus will be with us for all times and He did establish a church to lead us with its earthly head to lead His people - like any good father is head of his household.

Peace be with you!!!

St. Augustine, “Therefore,* since we were too weak to find the truth by pure reason,* and for that cause we needed the authority of Holy Writ, I now began to believe that in no wise would you have given such surpassing authority throughout the whole world to that Scripture, unless you wished that both through it you be believed in and through it you be sought…and is easy for everyone to read …and is accessible to all men… and that we may know this, he teaches us, because he is the beginning and he speaks to us” …“even when we are admonished by a changeable creature (a preacher) we are led to stable Truth where we truly learn"while we stand and hear him” and rejoice with joy because of the bridegroom’s voice restoring us to him." from “Confessions”. There was as much diversity and error in Augustine’s time as today. Augustine had balance view of the role of HS, even a personal Christ to teach us, with Holy Writ and a preacher.The right preacher will be connected to the first two (Christ and Writ) , and the individual will be led to feed directly from the Lord. There is no excuse to wonder aimlessly, then and now. I would strongly contest that the spirit of Christ in us is “not working”. What follows for you then is to wish for, place faith in, one church to be definitive over others. That is ok except it subjugates faith in the first two (Personal Christ and Holy Writ) to your ideal church. And indeed this what the CC has done, relative to other churches. Again, I prefer the balance of St. Augustine. He thought that was the Catholic way in his day.

 

[josie_L]

Of course you didn’t. Where did I say that you did? What you did ask in post 287 was “To stress my point, I can commune with Byzantine, Maronite, Coptic, Chaldean, Melkite, Ruthenian . . etc., can you do the same???”, to which I answered logically: Why would I want to? I already commune with all the people who are baptized into the Church, so all these other groups (Ruthenians, Maronites, Melkites, whatevers) don’t matter, since they’re outside the boundaries of the communion, so I couldn’t commune with them even if I wanted to. They’re tokens of your idea of what catholicity is, sure, but so what? Would it mean anything to you for me to ask you “I can commune with the Orthodox Copts, Syriacs, Tewahedo, Armenians, Britons, and French – can you do the same?”, or is that a ridiculous and silly question on its face?

No,it’s not a silly question because I was talking about diverse spiritualities within the CC in answer to a poster’s reply , i.e., I was not referring to one sort of spirituality among many races, hence, my comment about embracing all universal aspects of her catholicity (because we have “variations” of Catholics so to speak). The question moreover was rhetorical, i.e., I didn’t expect an answer as such because I’m already aware of your position, I was simply emphasizing the diverse spiritual traditions in the CC that confirm her catholicity.

Ooo, you found me out…I’m so jealous that I can’t commune with a bunch of people who left the Church already and consider my communion to be heretical because it didn’t follow the Roman bishop,

Excuse me, just the Roman bishop!!!

and who embrace councils and doctrines that my Church considers to be contrary to the apostolic faith, and who hold to incredibly skewed and unhealthy ecclesiology that impoverishes their own communion, etc.

You do realize that there were actual monophysites (not just miaphysites) at the time, don’t you? Moreover, no one diminished anything, in fact, our theology does not rely on either Western OR Eastern Fathers, but both. Just wondering, has a miaphysite, where does the preponderance of your theology come from (I know your Christology is orthodox but wish to know on which Fathers you relied on)?

Why have the Church of St. Athanasius, St. Pachomius, Simon the Tanner, Abdelmasih el-Habashi, and Tamav Irini, when I could join Rome and continue pay lip service to the faith I left by joining Rome? It makes so much sense! I mean, if that’s not having your cake and eating it too…

Some of those saints belong to us too, i.e., you don’t own them. Moreover, I was teasing you, I guessed it work.

 

[josie_L]

The U-word leaves a bad taste in everybody’s mouth.

It goes beyond externals, and the “Hey we have these guys too!” type of tokenism that can be put forth.

And apparently you know “everybody”, good for you!!!

 

[dzheremi]

No,it’s not a silly question because I was talking about diverse spiritualities within the CC in answer to a poster’s reply , i.e., I was not referring to one sort of spirituality among many races, hence, my comment about embracing all universal aspects of her catholicity (because we have “variations” of Catholics so to speak).

Mhm. :ehh:

Excuse me, just the Roman bishop!!!

Did another bishop write the Tome that was accepted at that council?

You do realize that there were actual monophysites (not just miaphysites) at the time, don’t you?

What? What does this have to do with anything? Were we discussing miaphysitism or Eutychianism at any point? What conversation are you having?

Moreover, no one diminished anything

If you don’t think the top-down, Rome-centric (really, Rome-total) ecclesiology of the Roman Catholic Communion is harmful for the health of your church, I invite you to read any number of threads here on what has happened to the Oriental churches established via the various unions of Syriac and other Christians and Rome. Or you can revisit the Oriental Catholic bishops conference or whatever that thing was called of a few years back, where the rallying cry was “Power to the patriarchs!” Why do you think that was the case, Josie? Why would Eastern Catholic leaders call for such a thing?

in fact, our theology does not rely on either Western OR Eastern Fathers, but both. Just wondering, has a miaphysite, where does the preponderance of your theology come from (I know your Christology is orthodox but wish to know on which Fathers you relied on)?

All the Orthodox fathers, as recorded in the commemoration and the synaxarium, both of which are integral parts of every liturgy. And outside of these (as there are many saints that are not recorded in either…I suppose the liturgy has to end at some point so that abouna can go home), whoever else the church recognizes, ancient and modern.

Some of those saints belong to us too, i.e., you don’t own them.

Nah, I’m pretty sure Coptic saints who were patriarchs of our church belong to Alexandria in the most literal sense imaginable, same as St. Liberius (commemorated on Nasie 4) belongs to Rome by virtue of having been its bishop. It doesn’t mean you can’t recognize any Alexandrian saint, though I don’t know what that proves either way (we recognize St. Isaac of Nineveh, but that doesn’t mean we hold the same faith as the Nestorians…God forbid).

Moreover, I was teasing you, I guessed it work.

Is your sarcasm detector malfunctioning? Perhaps I overloaded it with that part of my reply…oops.

 

[josie_L]

Mhm. :ehh:

Let me put it plainly, I was replying to someone who is yet unconvinced of which Apostolic Church to be a part of, so I replied that he should be part of a Church that embodies all LEGITIMATE forms of spirituality, i.e., the CC, in other words, he can have it all if he wishes (not just a part of it).

Did another bishop write the Tome that was accepted at that council?

And there it is people, not just the bishop of Rome, but all 650 bishops united at Chalcedon.

What? What does this have to do with anything? Were we discussing miaphysitism or Eutychianism at any point? What conversation are you having?

Your Christology was/is centered on St. Cyril (as if he were the only Father to write on the subject), so that you ended up rejecting our Christology, and you then have the audacity to say we are diminishing or going contrary to the apostolic faith:

and who embrace councils and doctrines that my Church considers to be contrary to the apostolic faith, and who hold to incredibly skewed and unhealthy ecclesiology that impoverishes their own communion, etc.

That is why I brought up Miaphysitism, because your Church (not mine) does not see any other form of Christology as being legitimate, moreover, your mention of councils would include Chalcedon, right, therefore, I am reminding you that monophysitism was a threat to the Church, hence, Chalcedon was necessary in light of this heresy.

If you don’t think the top-down, Rome-centric (really, Rome-total) ecclesiology of the Roman Catholic Communion is harmful for the health of your church, I invite you to read any number of threads here on what has happened to the Oriental churches established via the various unions of Syriac and other Christians and Rome. Or you can revisit the Oriental Catholic bishops conference or whatever that thing was called of a few years back, where the rallying cry was “Power to the patriarchs!” Why do you think that was the case, Josie? Why would Eastern Catholic leaders call for such a thing?

The more I read about Church history, Scripture and Sacred Tradition the more convinced I am that the true Church of Christ is the Catholic Church. It’s as simple as that.

Nah, I’m pretty sure Coptic saints who were patriarchs of our church belong to Alexandria in the most literal sense imaginable, same as St. Liberius (commemorated on Nasie 4) belongs to Rome by virtue of having been its bishop. It doesn’t mean you can’t recognize any Alexandrian saint, though I don’t know what that proves either way (we recognize St. Isaac of Nineveh, but that doesn’t mean we hold the same faith as the Nestorians…God forbid).

Yes, they were patriarchs of Alexandria, but recollect that St. Anthanasius was part of a Church that was called the Catholic Church, and I’m pretty certain that during those very turbulent times it was to the Pope that he sought refuge and help against Arianism.

Is your sarcasm detector malfunctioning? Perhaps I overloaded it with that part of my reply…oops.

No, but is your “charity” detector malfunctioning?

 

[dzheremi]

Let me put it plainly, I was replying to someone who is yet unconvinced of which Apostolic Church to be a part of, so I replied that he should be part of a Church that embodies all LEGITIMATE forms of spirituality, i.e., the CC, in other words, he can have it all if he wishes (not just a part of it).

Ah, yes…the RCC is all things to all people…

And there it is people, not just the bishop of Rome, but all 650 bishops united at Chalcedon.

Meh.

Your Christology was/is centered on St. Cyril (as if he were the only Father to write on the subject)

This has become the customary way referring to Orthodox Christology, yes, but it should be recognized that this is within the context of the polemical anti-OO environment created by the Chalcedonians in the centuries subsequent to the schism, not sometthing that OO people have created out of whole cloth. I think the point is more to emphasize that, as the Chalcedonians recognize St. Cyril’s Christology as Orthodox, and this matches the Christology that we profess (St. Cyril having given us our most concise statement of Christology), it is inaccurate to insist that we are Eutychians or otherwise monophysite. Our Christology is just as well-informed by St. Severus, St. Athanasius, St. Basil, etc.

so that you ended up rejecting our Christology, and you then have the audacity to say we are diminishing or going contrary to the apostolic faith:

http://www.banklawyersblog.com/.a/6a00d8341c652b53ef017ee98eb62a970d-800wi

I am reminding you that monophysitism was a threat to the Church, hence, Chalcedon was necessary in light of this heresy.

Apropos of nothing.

The more I read about Church history, Scripture and Sacred Tradition the more convinced I am that the true Church of Christ is the Catholic Church. It’s as simple as that.

Okay.

and I’m pretty certain that during those very turbulent times it was to the Pope that he sought refuge…

Really? And then what happened?

I’m very certain you are full of baloney.

No, but is your “charity” detector malfunctioning?

Nope. I consistently respond to calls for donations and tithes from the Church, commensurate with my available resources at the time of the appeal.

 

[Peter_J]

Not meaning any offense to either of you (dzheremi and josie L), nor denying that this exchange might be very interesting for some newer readers … but if I might give you my personal take on it, it’s like a TV show: however much you enjoy it the first time, and maybe the second and third time, it’s pretty hard to still enjoy watching it after 8 or 9 times.

Heck, what is there really to say about this rerun beyond the following plot summary? Scene One: A Catholic thinks that the fact that Greek and Oriental Catholics (with our various traditions and liturgies) choose to be in the Roman Communion proves that everybody should be in the Roman Communion. Scene Two: An Orthodox doesn’t like it. (Repeat these two scenes until the stage lights go out.)

 

[dzheremi]

No offense taken, Peter J, and actually I substantially agree with you. I suppose I caused things to go wrong when I responded to Josie’s question without realizing it was rhetorical, and then asked questions of Josie which I figured she would want to answer just as I had answered her original question (because clearly although we both obviously know the others’ stance, it’s not clear to me that a similar understanding of the thinking behind it is reached; hence when I ask “Why would EC leaders declare their desire for more power?” it’s because I want to know why they would demand that, if everything is as hunky dory as RCC apologists like Josie L seem to paint it; I’m not Eastern Catholic myself, so how would I know?). Suffice it to say the conversation, if you can call it that, has outlived its usefulness. Toodles.

 

[josie_L]

I’m very certain you are full of baloney.

I’m Italian, we don’t do baloney.

 

[Butaperson]

To be honest, I was taught that the only true difference between EO and RC is that EO is not in communion with the papacy…the rest is just cultural separations. Many people call it the same religion, and often people say they hope for reunification of the Orthodox and Catholic faiths.

I’ll admit I chose Catholicism over Orthodoxy mostly because I grew up with Catholic influence. But in my research of other religions, I have noticed that in every religion, there are flaws of some sort, things that don’t add up - except in Catholicism. And I know that if I became Orthodox - sooner or later, I would have found that flaw.

 

[Peter_J]

To be honest, I was taught that the only true difference between EO and RC is that EO is not in communion with the papacy…the rest is just cultural separations. Many people call it the same religion, and often people say they hope for reunification of the Orthodox and Catholic faiths.

I’ll admit I chose Catholicism over Orthodoxy mostly because I grew up with Catholic influence. But in my research of other religions, I have noticed that in every religion, there are flaws of some sort, things that don’t add up - except in Catholicism. And I know that if I became Orthodox - sooner or later, I would have found that flaw.

Hi Butaperson. I’m trying to make sense of what you said … if you found flaws in every other religion except Catholicism, then wouldn’t that include Orthodoxy?

Or did you mean that you are certain you will found a flaw in Orthodoxy, based on the fact that you have found flaws in every religion except for Orthodoxy and Catholicism?

 

[MommaduckofMany]

In response to the OP (having not read more than a few posts in the thread):

I was in the position of a Protestant choosing between the EOC and RCC. I was, as Kr. Frederica puts it, “in the passenger seat” (but given a choice of the two). I weighed out history of the Great Schism, the Councils, the various differences (Original Sin, Immaculate Conception, the Ascension of Mary vs the Respose of Mary, etc). I found the EOC to be more reasonable, accepting mystery where there was mystery, more historical understanding, etc. I also took into account each Church’s actions throughout history. Ex., as someone with Native blood, I could NEVER accept Christopher Columbus as a Saint; he was anything but. And the intrigues of the Vatican historically did not weigh in their favour. I had attended Mass several times in my twenties and we decided to start attending Divine Liturgy. I did not find out till after I made my choice that that is the direction my husband was leaning (the EOC). I seriously thought he had been leaning RCC. He thought I would be more comfortable in the RCC, so was being positive about it. I could see us blowing through the RCC and ending up EOC anyhow.

Though others here will entirely disagree with the Catholic influences in our lives, our RCC friends were THRILLED for us. One would have even sponsored us if the EOC would have allowed for a RCC godparent. My RCC friends have been the biggest supporters in our conversion. I will state that one place I would NOT want to go would be the Eastern Catholics. I’m afraid that my run ins with several online is enough to make me NEVER want to be in that situation. 1) they seem to be offcasts of both groups and I’d rather be all one or all the other. 2) the nastiness and victim mentality is something that I prefer to stay away from.

Just my experience. You must decide this. Another friend continues to attend his Protestant church while debating back and forth between the EOC and the RCC. That is his journey. Take your time. The EOC and RCC aren’t going anywhere.

 

[Peter_J]

I will state that one place I would NOT want to go would be the Eastern Catholics. I’m afraid that my run ins with several online is enough to make me NEVER want to be in that situation. 1) they seem to be offcasts of both groups and I’d rather be all one or all the other. 2) the nastiness and victim mentality is something that I prefer to stay away from.

Well, I’ve had experiences of my own with my fellow Greek Catholics and Oriental Catholics, but I won’t go into that. Rather, in response to your not wanting to be Eastern Catholic … I won’t claim that being EC is entirely easy. As I’ve told many other people, if I were Eastern Orthodox I wouldn’t switch to Catholicism – but likewise, I don’t believe that I ought to switch from Catholicism to Orthodoxy.

Happy New (or Old) Year!

 

[Gicutzu]

I have to agree with josie L.

As I’ve said in another thread: “it’s a testimony to the fullness of Catholic faith when Churches from ALL liturgical traditions (Alexandrian, Antiochian, East Syrian, Armenian, Byzantine, and last but not least Latin) and their corresponding rites are in communion with the Bishop of Rome.”

Also, while at the beginning it might look like the EO Church is making arguments that are theologically sound against the dogmas of the Catholic Church, it quickly becomes clear after studying same dogmas that the EO Church makes theologically sound arguments against their misrepresentations of Catholic dogma.

I feel like the Holy Spirit has drawn me to the Catholic Church when I was something between Adventist and atheist, and even though I got sidetracked from time to time with atheism creeping back in or with a few days (usually not more than one at a time) when I became convinced that the Eastern Orthodox Church is right, I have now decided to stop resisting the Holy Spirit and to let Him guide me to Christ’s Church.

 

[Peter_J]

I have to agree with josie L.

As I’ve said in another thread: “it’s a testimony to the fullness of Catholic faith when Churches from ALL liturgical traditions (Alexandrian, Antiochian, East Syrian, Armenian, Byzantine, and last but not least Latin) and their corresponding rites are in communion with the Bishop of Rome.”

At the risk of seeming hypersensitive, I have to admit that I find it tiresome (dare I say offensive?) when people look at the history of Catholics proselytizing Eastern Christians, and see “proof” that the Catholic Church is the one true church.

No offense, I hope, but I just really don’t get that.

 

[Porknpie]

I have to agree with josie L.

As I’ve said in another thread: “it’s a testimony to the fullness of Catholic faith when Churches from ALL liturgical traditions (Alexandrian, Antiochian, East Syrian, Armenian, Byzantine, and last but not least Latin) and their corresponding rites are in communion with the Bishop of Rome.”

Also, while at the beginning it might look like the EO Church is making arguments that are theologically sound against the dogmas of the Catholic Church, it quickly becomes clear after studying same dogmas that the EO Church makes theologically sound arguments against their misrepresentations of Catholic dogma.

I feel like the Holy Spirit has drawn me to the Catholic Church when I was something between Adventist and atheist, and even though I got sidetracked from time to time with atheism creeping back in or with a few days (usually not more than one at a time) when I became convinced that the Eastern Orthodox Church is right, I have now decided to stop resisting the Holy Spirit and to let Him guide me to Christ’s Church.

Gicutzu -

Great & welcome Gicutzu. Are you going through RCIA?

PnP

 

[josie_L]

Ah, yes…the RCC is all things to all people…

Slander will get you no where.

Really? And then what happened? I’m very certain you are full of baloney.

Pope Julius Responds to the Eusebians

The council gave peace and communion to Athanasius and Marcellus, the orthodoxy of the latter being warmly upheld by Athanasius and Julius. At the instance of the bishops, the Pope at length replied, in the name of all to the unseemly letter of the Eusebians. His lengthy and important epistle is preserved complete in St. Athanasius apology.

“If you say that every Council is unalterable, who is it, pray, who sets Councils at naught? The Arians were expelled by that of Nicaea, and yet they are said to be received by you. They are condemned by all, while Athanasius and Marcellus have many defenders. In fact, Athanasius was not convicted of anything at Tyre, and the acts in the Mareotis were invalid, being draw up by one party only.”

"Our admission of Athanasius and Marcellus to communion was not rash. We had the former letter of Eusebius, and now this letter of yours, and the letter of the bishops of Egypt and of others in favor of Athanasius. Your first and second letters did not agree; the Egyptian bishops were on the spot. Arsenius is still alive, and the evidence from the Mareotis, is a mere party statement. Athanasius waited here a year and a half, and his mere presence puts his accusers to shame, since he showed his confidence by obeying our summons. Is it we or you who act against the canons, when you ordained a bishops at Antioch, thirty-six stages distant, and sent him with soldiers to Alexandria? If Athanasius had been really convicted at Tyre, you should have made another bishop years ago, when he was exiled in Gaul.

“When we had sent to summon a Council you could not prejudge the matter. The violence exercised at Alexandria is terrible, and you call it peace! As for Marcellus, he denied your charges; his confession was approved by the priests Vito and Vincentius (the Papal representatives at Nicaea); Eastern as well as Western bishops were at the Council, and deputies from the East, complaining of violence and that bishops were prevented from coming by force or banishment. We hear that only a few are the causes of this schism. If you really believe that anything can be proved against Marcellus and Athanasius, let any come to accuse who wish to do so, and we will have a fresh trial.”

“For if really, as you say, they did some wrong, the judgment ought to have been given according to the ecclesiastical canon and not thus. You should have written to all of us, so that justice might have been decreed by all. For it was Bishops who were the sufferers; and it was not obscure Churches which have suffered, but Churches which Apostles in person ruled. With regard to the Church of Alexandria in particular, why were we not consulted? Do you now know that this has been the custom, first to write to us, and thus for what is just to be defined from hence? If, therefore, a suspicion of this sort fell upon the bishop of that place, it was necessary to write to the Church here [Rome]. But now, though you gave us no information, but have done as you pleased, you ask us to give our agreement, though we have not ourselves condemned. These are not the statutes of Paul, these are not the traditions of the Fathers; this is another rule, a new custom. I beseech you to bear willingly what I say, for I write for the common welfare, and what we have received from Blessed Peter the Apostle, that I declare to you.”

philvaz.com/apologetics/num51.htm

The council which was mentioned at the beginning of the quote is in reference to the synod in Rome presided over by Pope St. Julius in the year of 340. Not long after this council, Pope St. Julius was able to convince the Western Emperor Constans to initiate an ecumenical council at Sardica with the help of his brother Emperor Constantine II in the East. Were it not for the interference of Pope St. Julius could all of these events and outcomes have been possible? I am not denying that St. Athanasius was the principle champion of orthodoxy, but I resent the implication that he did it alone, i.e., he had help from the foremost bishop of the Universal Church.

 

[josie_L]

I have to agree with josie L.

As I’ve said in another thread: “it’s a testimony to the fullness of Catholic faith when Churches from ALL liturgical traditions (Alexandrian, Antiochian, East Syrian, Armenian, Byzantine, and last but not least Latin) and their corresponding rites are in communion with the Bishop of Rome.”

Also, while at the beginning it might look like the EO Church is making arguments that are theologically sound against the dogmas of the Catholic Church, it quickly becomes clear after studying same dogmas that the EO Church makes theologically sound arguments against their misrepresentations of Catholic dogma.

I feel like the Holy Spirit has drawn me to the Catholic Church when I was something between Adventist and atheist, and even though I got sidetracked from time to time with atheism creeping back in or with a few days (usually not more than one at a time) when I became convinced that the Eastern Orthodox Church is right, I have now decided to stop resisting the Holy Spirit and to let Him guide me to Christ’s Church.

Still praying for you Gicutzu! Lots of love and blessings from above.