Newly Illumined

[SingleMomMonica]

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Yesterday I was received into the Orthodox Church by Holy Baptism and Chrismation and received Holy Communion. I appreciate all the support from folks on here (and even the discussions from those opposed to my conversion). I thought I would post pictures from the service yesterday. My dad took pictures of the whole thing and here is the text of the service (although we used a slightly different translation complete with the “Thees” and “Thous”).

I hope you all enjoy them and if you have any questions about the pictures, feel free to ask.

In Christ,
Andrew

CONGRATULATIONS Andrew!

Now the real journey begins!

 

[Teneas]

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Yesterday I was received into the Orthodox Church by Holy Baptism and Chrismation and received Holy Communion. I appreciate all the support from folks on here (and even the discussions from those opposed to my conversion). I thought I would post pictures from the service yesterday. My dad took pictures of the whole thing and here is the text of the service (although we used a slightly different translation complete with the “Thees” and “Thous”).

I hope you all enjoy them and if you have any questions about the pictures, feel free to ask.

In Christ,
Andrew

Congrats man.

 

[KathleenGee]

Congratulations! The Orthodox have such beautiful liturgies and it is so good to see someone see the work of God in liturgy and the priesthood!

 

[Harpazo]

Andrew, I was thinking about this post last night after I logged out.

You said you had to built the baptismal font. Didn’t the Chruct have their own in order to baptise adults?

Since we’re still a mission, we did not have a baptismal font built yet. We knew we would have to build one eventually because we have a good number of catechumens. It really worked out well to build it now as it gave Father one less thing to worry about.

In Christ,
Andrew

 

[jakasaki]

Since we’re still a mission, we did not have a baptismal font built yet. We knew we would have to build one eventually because we have a good number of catechumens. It really worked out well to build it now as it gave Father one less thing to worry about.

In Christ,
Andrew

Yup, I get it and it makes sense. Thanks again!

 

[ALLGIRLS]

I was born and raised in a pseudo-Christian group called the Worldwide Church of God (WCG). The group eventually adopted Trinitarian beliefs to be accepted by mainstream Evangelicalism. We became United Methodist (my mom’s childhood faith) when I was 7 or 8. When I was 16 I decided to become Roman Catholic after being disillusioned by the doctrinal pluralism of Protestantism and could not accept the idea that Christ’s Church fell into error and had to be revived by “Reformers.” I studied Orthodox after converting to Catholicism, but just brushed it off as “ethnic Catholicism.” I was taught in RCIA that the RCC and Orthodoxy were basically the same. I found much in Latin Catholicism to be wanting and could not stand the Protestantization of the Latin church. I found refuge in a Maronite Catholic church. I fell in love with the approach to spirituality and doctrine.

As I investigated history further and how the Orthodox approach salvation and could not support post-schism Latin doctrines. A year ago I began attending Orthodox liturgy in my hometown when I came home on breaks and began devouring Orthodox books. I bought a little prayer book and began doing Morning and Evening Prayer when I could. For me, the Orthodox understanding of faith and life in Christ resonated with my soul deeply. In May I became a catechumen and was received into the Orthodox Church yesterday.

That’s the abbreviated version, but I hope it answers your question.

In Christ,
Andrew

Why did you need to be baptized in the Orthodox Church if you had already been baptized in the Catholic Church (or the Methodist Church)? Why didn’t a Profession of Faith suffice?

In Christ,

Ellen

 

[Harpazo]

Why did you need to be baptized in the Orthodox Church if you had already been baptized in the Catholic Church (or the Methodist Church)? Why didn’t a Profession of Faith suffice?

In Christ,

Ellen

I was baptized Methodist, but they do not share the same faith as the Orthodox. St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians that there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism”, but if it is a different faith, then it is a different baptism. That’s the Orthodox position, anyway.

In Christ,
Andrew

 

[searn77]

I was baptized Methodist, but they do not share the same faith as the Orthodox. St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians that there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism”, but if it is a different faith, then it is a different baptism. That’s the Orthodox position, anyway.

In Christ,
Andrew

There’s actually various views about baptism with the Orthodox (the only thing that’s consistent is the need to be baptized in the name of the Trinity). I was baptized in the name of the Trinity at a Pentacostal church at a young age and my priest said that was fine and I just needed to be chrismated.

Congratulations!

 

[SSTeacher]

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Yesterday I was received into the Orthodox Church by Holy Baptism and Chrismation and received Holy Communion. I appreciate all the support from folks on here (and even the discussions from those opposed to my conversion). I thought I would post pictures from the service yesterday. My dad took pictures of the whole thing and here is the text of the service (although we used a slightly different translation complete with the “Thees” and “Thous”).

I hope you all enjoy them and if you have any questions about the pictures, feel free to ask.

In Christ,
Andrew

Congratulations, Andrew!

In Christ,
Mick

 

[JonNC]

Congratulations, Andrew!

In Christ,
Mick

Hey Mick,
Good to see you again!!

Jon

 

[nafrawle]

I was baptized Methodist, but they do not share the same faith as the Orthodox. St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians that there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism”, but if it is a different faith, then it is a different baptism. That’s the Orthodox position, anyway.

In Christ,
Andrew

My orthodox priest(OCA) will not, even if asked, baptize anyone that has been previously baptized in the trinity. We have a couple of members who came from Lutheran and Methodist backgrounds, and he refused requests for rebaptism, only christmation.

 

[SSTeacher]

SSTeacher;6144267:

Congratulations, Andrew!

In Christ,
Mick

Hey Mick,
Good to see you again!!

Jon

Wotcher Jon,

How are you diddling? Still Lutheran, I see.

A Happy New Year and may God bless you always.

Convivially,
Mick

 

[Harpazo]

My orthodox priest(OCA) will not, even if asked, baptize anyone that has been previously baptized in the trinity. We have a couple of members who came from Lutheran and Methodist backgrounds, and he refused requests for rebaptism, only christmation.

Yes, I am aware of this but from what I understand what you are describing is extreme economia and is not the norm (although it has sadly become the norm in America). Please make no mistake, I’m not saying you or anyone else who was received by Chrismation are not fully Orthodox. I’m just saying that the norm has always been to baptize converts. My bishop prefers this over simply chrismating because different denominations have differing views on God, the Trinity and baptism. In Orthodoxy from what I understand, the only valid baptism is triple immersion, but bishops can use the Chrism to complete what is lacking (read extreme economia).

If you were a heterodox Christian converting to Orthodoxy in another country I can almost guarantee that they would baptize you (it’s not viewed as a “rebaptism” however). I know without a doubt they would on Mt. Athos.

In Christ,
Andrew

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

A year ago I began attending Orthodox liturgy in my hometown when I came home on breaks and began devouring Orthodox books. I bought a little prayer book and began doing Morning and Evening Prayer when I could. For me, the Orthodox understanding of faith and life in Christ resonated with my soul deeply. In May I became a catechumen and was received into the Orthodox Church yesterday.

That’s the abbreviated version, but I hope it answers your question.

In Christ,
Andrew

Peace be with you; Harpazo/Andrew and may God keep you always on your new journey

I never new that the Orthodox recieved catechumens in winter? I was surprised to learn that your reception into Orthodoxy was not during the Easter (resurrection) season after Lent. The 8 months in Mother Church’s womb is timed out nicely.

Iam also still confused about your baptism(s)’ you recieved, but you cleared some of it to another poster.

Can I ask what is your confirmation name, or did you recieve one?

My best to you and God bless you.

 

[Nine_Two]

Peace be with you; Harpazo/Andrew and may God keep you always on your new journey

I never new that the Orthodox recieved catechumens in winter? I was surprised to learn that your reception into Orthodoxy was not during the Easter (resurrection) season after Lent. The 8 months in Mother Church’s womb is timed out nicely.

Iam also still confused about your baptism(s)’ you recieved, but you cleared some of it to another poster.

Can I ask what is your confirmation name, or did you recieve one?

My best to you and God bless you.

There are a number of Holy Days around which it is traditional to recieve Catechumens into the Fullness of the Church. For example I was christmated on the eve of Pentecoast this past year. My church recieved more Catechumens just before the nativity, etc. A friend was recieved on the feast day of the Parishes Patron Saint.

It always happens around a Holy Day, just not necessarily Pascha.

 

[SingleMomMonica]

There are a number of Holy Days around which it is traditional to recieve Catechumens into the Fullness of the Church. For example I was christmated on the eve of Pentecoast this past year. My church recieved more Catechumens just before the nativity, etc. A friend was recieved on the feast day of the Parishes Patron Saint.

It always happens around a Holy Day, just not necessarily Pascha.

I just found my certificate and found out I’ve been Orthodox for less time than I thought!

My family was brought in on 3/21/04…did that fall on a Feast Day? I don’t remember it being a feast day, but I’m pretty sure it was on a Sunday, a mini-Pascha.

We’d been meeting with Father for several months and then one day her announced that we’d be received the next Sunday.

The priest did not want to baptize us because they didn’t have an adult baptismal font and the Bishop allowed for that even though I’d not been baptized as a Catholic and had no proof of a Protestant Baptism and was so little that I didn’t know if I’d had a triple immersion or not. Later, the Monastics remedied our family’s lack of a valid baptism.

Within a year of my conversion, another couple and all of their children (7) became Orthodox, the children we’re all baptised, but the parents were not, but they were given marriage with the betrothal and coronation it was beautiful…the wife was upset though since she was like 8 months pregnant and felt like the pictures would make people think they had a shotgun wedding - LOL

This was in the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey.

I also found my Catholic certificate. I’d been brought into the Roman Catholic Church on 4-15-95, this I remember was an Easter Vigil. This was in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento. I can’t find the certificates, but about 3 or 4 yrs later, my children were Confirmed in the Melkite Greek Catholic Church of the Diocese of…darn, don’t recall - somewhere like Iowa or something?

 

[Nine_Two]

I just found my certificate and found out I’ve been Orthodox for less time than I thought!

My family was brought in on 3/21/04…did that fall on a Feast Day? I don’t remember it being a feast day, but I’m pretty sure it was on a Sunday, a mini-Pascha.

We’d been meeting with Father for several months and then one day her announced that we’d be received the next Sunday.

The priest did not want to baptize us because they didn’t have an adult baptismal font and the Bishop allowed for that even though I’d not been baptized as a Catholic and had no proof of a Protestant Baptism and was so little that I didn’t know if I’d had a triple immersion or not. Later, the Monastics remedied our family’s lack of a valid baptism.

Within a year of my conversion, another couple and all of their children (7) became Orthodox, the children we’re all baptised, but the parents were not, but they were given marriage with the betrothal and coronation it was beautiful…the wife was upset though since she was like 8 months pregnant and felt like the pictures would make people think they had a shotgun wedding - LOL

This was in the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey.

I also found my Catholic certificate. I’d been brought into the Roman Catholic Church on 4-15-95, this I remember was an Easter Vigil. This was in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento. I can’t find the certificates, but about 3 or 4 yrs later, my children were Confirmed in the Melkite Greek Catholic Church of the Diocese of…darn, don’t recall - somewhere like Iowa or something?

According to the calendar at goarch that was just a few weeks before Pascha, so I’d still count that.
But I’m just going by what my priest told me before I was christmated, that it should be done at a traditional time. To be honest though I don’t know how much of this is practice and how much of it is personal opinion, but I can’t think of anyone I’ve ever heard say they were joined to the church outside a holy period.

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

There are a number of Holy Days around which it is traditional to recieve Catechumens into the Fullness of the Church. For example I was christmated on the eve of Pentecoast this past year. My church recieved more Catechumens just before the nativity, etc. A friend was recieved on the feast day of the Parishes Patron Saint.

It always happens around a Holy Day, just not necessarily Pascha.

Interesting, In the Western Catholic Church baptism’s of infants are frequent and continually throughout the year. Adult baptism is mainly celebrated during the feast of resurrection (Easter) after the lenten season with a 8-9 month catechesis. It used to take 3 years of catechises to become Catholic in times past.

Is it safe to say that “all” the Eastern Catholic Church’s recieve their Catechumens at different times of the year, not necessary during the Eastern season? Or does each Eastern Church have their own traditions they hold too?

 

[Nine_Two]

Interesting, In the Western Catholic Church baptism’s of infants are frequent and continually throughout the year. Adult baptism is mainly celebrated during the feast of resurrection (Easter) after the lenten season with a 8-9 month catechesis. It used to take 3 years of catechises to become Catholic in times past.

Is it safe to say that “all” the Eastern Catholic Church’s recieve their Catechumens at different times of the year, not necessary during the Eastern season? Or does each Eastern Church have their own traditions they hold too?

You’d have to ask the Eastern Catholics that.

We do infant baptisms throughout the year as well. Or at the very least I’ve never noticed them to coincide with the cycle of feasts.

 

[Harpazo]

Peace be with you; Harpazo/Andrew and may God keep you always on your new journey

I never new that the Orthodox recieved catechumens in winter? I was surprised to learn that your reception into Orthodoxy was not during the Easter (resurrection) season after Lent. The 8 months in Mother Church’s womb is timed out nicely.

Iam also still confused about your baptism(s)’ you recieved, but you cleared some of it to another poster.

Can I ask what is your confirmation name, or did you recieve one?

My best to you and God bless you.

Thank you. I did not take a new name as I already have a Christian name. However, if I didn’t have one then I probably would have picked St. Ambrose of Milan. He’s always been a hero to me.

In Christ,
Andrew