So I've become VERY interested in Orthodox Christianity...

[Kouyate42]

I’m just wondering how many people on here are knowledgable on the Orthodox Church and are willing to help me do some study.

I’m very interested in the Orthodox Church, but actually trying to do some reading on the main theological and historical background is very hard, partially because I simply am overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information given even for the most basic ideas, but also the fact that I don’t read Greek that well and not a word of Russian, which limits what I can access. Hell, English isn’t even my first language!

Anyone care to help out?

 

[PolyphonyChick]

Hello What kind of questions do you have? Or are you looking for links to some resources?

 

[Kouyate42]

Hello What kind of questions do you have? Or are you looking for links to some resources?

I’m ideally looking for some information on the basics of the theology of the Orthodox Church and on some of its history. THEN I’ll start asking the questions once I’ve done the research.

 

[Jeff616]

I also was interested in the Orthodox church and very nearly joined it, until I started going to parishes for Mass. They are much more interested in preserving their ethnic heritage than in spreading the Word of God. Many parishes are very xenophobic because they are afraid that newcomers will somehow bring in “new ideas”, i.e. Heresy, into their church and “taint” them. Now to be fair there are other Orthodox jurisdictions that are more open to newcomers than others, but that will depend on who’s in your area. You really should try an Eastern Rite Catholic church first, if you are interested in Eastern Christianity. Good Luck!

 

[Kouyate42]

I also was interested in the Orthodox church and very nearly joined it, until I started going to parishes for Mass. They are much more interested in preserving their ethnic heritage than in spreading the Word of God. Many parishes are very xenophobic because they are afraid that newcomers will somehow bring in “new ideas”, i.e. Heresy, into their church and “taint” them. Now to be fair there are other Orthodox jurisdictions that are more open to newcomers than others, but that will depend on who’s in your area. You really should try an Eastern Rite Catholic church first, if you are interested in Eastern Christianity. Good Luck!

My major problem is that I’m very confined as to my choice of church. There’s not that many Catholic churches in Newcastle and I’m sure that none of them are Eastern Rite churches…although I could be wrong. Plus I also couldn’t travel too far to go to a service as don’t drive.

 

[Randy_Carson]

I’m just wondering how many people on here are knowledgable on the Orthodox Church and are willing to help me do some study.

I’m very interested in the Orthodox Church, but actually trying to do some reading on the main theological and historical background is very hard, partially because I simply am overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information given even for the most basic ideas, but also the fact that I don’t read Greek that well and not a word of Russian, which limits what I can access. Hell, English isn’t even my first language!

Anyone care to help out?

These articles are written in plain English, and they will give you much food for thought.

Articles on Eastern Orthodoxy

---

Why I Am Not Eastern Orthodox
By Jimmy Akin
catholic.com/thisrock/2005/0504bt.asp
Eastern Orthodoxy
catholic.com/library/Eastern_Orthodoxy.asp

**AN EASTERN VOICE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS **
By Ray Ryland
catholic.com/thisrock/1996/9601fea2.asp

**SEEING PETER THROUGH EASTERN EYES **
By Ray Ryland
catholic.com/thisrock/1996/9604eaw.asp

**PETER AND THE ORTHODOX: A REPRISE **
By Ray Ryland
catholic.com/thisrock/1996/9610eaw.asp

The Eastern Doctrine of the Catholic Church
By Ray Ryland
catholic.com/thisrock/1995/9510fea1.asp

THE EPIPHANY OF THE ROMAN PRIMACY
By Ray Ryland
catholic.com/thisrock/1997/9702eaw.asp

**Thoughts from an Eastern Orthodox Priest **
By Rev. Chrysostom Frank
catholic.com/thisrock/1996/9601fea2sb2.asp

 

[jonnyws]

For a good introduction I’d recommend:

Alexander Schmemann, For the Life of the World: Sacraments and Orthodoxy

Another one I’ve read recently which has been quite good is:

Michael Pomazansky, Orthodox Dogmatic Theology

Orthodoxy, to all intensive purposes, is the same as Catholicism. Culturally there are differences and hence our liturgical and theological heritages have grown up to express themselves differently as time has marched on. When I was leaving Protestantism I spent a long time looking at the Orthodox Churches as well as the Catholic Church. In the end my Western mind was more comfortable living a life within the bounds of Western Liturgy and Western Theology. There is so much we can learn from the East, especially liturgically, but at the end of the day we have a rich and venerable tradition of our own and, generally speaking, westerners will sit more comfortably within that tradition than they will within the Eastern tradition.

 

[BYUChemAlum]

Perhaps you might find it more helpful to ask this question on an Orthodox forum, such as this one:

orthodoxchristianity.net/forum/index.php

Also, I have found the following websites helpful in understanding Orthodox beliefs from actual Orthodox faithful:

orthodoxinfo.com/
goarch.org/ourfaith/
stjohndc.org/Russian/english.htm (I visited this cathedral a couple times and found the articles on the site helpful)
antiochian.org/discoverorthodoxchristianity
oca.org/OCIndex.asp?SID=2

As far as books, there is always the oft-recommended “The Orthodox Church” by Timothy Ware (now Metropolitan Kallistos). I’ve also read “His Broken Body-Understanding and Healing the Schism between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches” by Laurent A. Cleenewerck, which compares and contrasts the beliefs and historical issues of these churches, from the Orthodox perspective, “The Primacy of Peter: Essays in Ecclesiology and the Early Church” by John Meyendorff, and “Popes and Patriarchs: An Orthodox Perspective on Roman Catholic Claims” by Michael Welton.

 

[Montalo]

Perhaps you might find it more helpful to ask this question on an Orthodox forum, such as this one:

orthodoxchristianity.net/forum/index.php

Also, I have found the following websites helpful in understanding Orthodox beliefs from actual Orthodox faithful:

orthodoxinfo.com/
goarch.org/ourfaith/
stjohndc.org/Russian/english.htm (I visited this cathedral a couple times and found the articles on the site helpful)
antiochian.org/discoverorthodoxchristianity
oca.org/OCIndex.asp?SID=2

As far as books, there is always the oft-recommended “The Orthodox Church” by Timothy Ware (now Metropolitan Kallistos). I’ve also read “His Broken Body-Understanding and Healing the Schism between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches” by Laurent A. Cleenewerck, which compares and contrasts the beliefs and historical issues of these churches, from the Orthodox perspective, “The Primacy of Peter: Essays in Ecclesiology and the Early Church” by John Meyendorff, and “Popes and Patriarchs: An Orthodox Perspective on Roman Catholic Claims” by Michael Welton.

in addition
russianorthodoxchurch.ws/synod/indexeng.htm
also, for audio learners
ancientfaith.com/

 

[Harpazo]

I’m just wondering how many people on here are knowledgable on the Orthodox Church and are willing to help me do some study.

I’m very interested in the Orthodox Church, but actually trying to do some reading on the main theological and historical background is very hard, partially because I simply am overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information given even for the most basic ideas, but also the fact that I don’t read Greek that well and not a word of Russian, which limits what I can access. Hell, English isn’t even my first language!

Anyone care to help out?

Some of the more polemical things that have been offered by our RC friends do little to help a person make a heartfelt decision of entering into communion with a body of believers claiming to have the Truth. I would say the same to any Orthodox recommending similar polemical works to an inquirer to the RCC.

You don’t need to be able to read Greek or Russian to learn about Orthodoxy. We have come a long way from the early 1900s where there was precious little available to the English speaker. The best way to begin study into Orthodoxy is attend her services. With Holy Week coming up, there will be more services offered than normal by most parishes and it would serve as a great introduction, IMHO. Don’t worry if you don’t necessarily know what’s going on. Just come and let the holy services wash over you. In case you haven’t heard already, Orthodox liturgy and the holy services are catechetical. If you were attend every service that the Church offers for a year, you would have a great working knowledge of what the Orthodox Church teaches. But for most of us, it’s not possible to do (unless you are in a monastery of course!)

Orthodoxy Dogmatic Theology was already recommended and it is a great book for gaining a cursory knowledge into the faith. Similarly, I would recommend lives of the Saints and the writings of the Saints, too. Wounded by Love by Elder Porphyrios (memory eternal!) is a good one. *
Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives* by Elder Thaddeus has been highly recommended as well as Fr. Arseny by Vera Bouteneff. In addition, I would recommend reading from the Prologue as often as you can. It was compiled by St. Nikolai of Zhica, a recent Serbian Saint who actually lived in the USA for a while and has writings for each day of the year about various feasts in the Church, Saints, etc.

Since you are in England, I’d say you should look at the lives of holy men and women from your own country who happen to be Orthodox. Fr. Lazarus is a recent example as is Elder Sophrony of Essex. Orthodox England might also be a good resource for you. Feel free to send me a PM at any time if you have more questions. I’d love to be of any help. You will be in my prayers.

In Christ,
Andrew

 

[PolyphonyChick]

I’m ideally looking for some information on the basics of the theology of the Orthodox Church and on some of its history. THEN I’ll start asking the questions once I’ve done the research.

That’s exciting! I hope you learn a lot about them. I have great respect for the Orthodox, and I’m studying them a little bit at university now. Also I’ve been hitting up some various Divine Liturgies (Catholic) which I would HIGHLY advise you to sit in on (don’t take communion, but you can do everything else, including going up to kiss the Book of Gospels if you’re younger, as well as eat some of the Blessed Bread - on a tray, not in a chalice like the Eucharist).

Somebody beat me to recommending the Timothy Ware book . Definitely check out Way of a Pilgrim, a really inspiring spiritual read (a lot of good Catholics I know have recommended it, even a brother and a priest btw… a lot of our traditions overlap!). That might help you gain a bit of perspective into the Orthodox/Eastern Catholic spirituality. Honestly it’s the same kind of spirituality. In fact I’ve met an Orthodox priest who teaches at an Eastern Catholic seminary! You might say that Catholics have got most things that the Orthodox have, but you can’t necessarily say that about the Orthodox (they don’t have a Latin liturgy).

Again, so excited for you in your journey to find the Truth! I will honestly say that I want you to become a Catholic but as a lover of tradition, east and west, I the Orthodox and I pray that you’ll be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. You’ll be in my prayers

Oh and hint: in the meantime be sure to sit in on a Holy Saturday Mass at your local Catholic Church (okay, or Orthodox Church ). You will fall in love, it is the best Mass of the year!!

 

[MontChevalier]

Hmmm, well if you’re interested in the Orthodox Christianity, then I suppose you might be interested in reading a few books.

These books were recommended to me some time ago, so now I’ll pass them on to you(The first one is from me):

amazon.com/Orthodox-Church-New-Timothy-Ware/dp/0140146563/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=IYC9172PWXQYO&colid=3J7KTMFKMB92V

amazon.com/Spirituality-Christian-East-Systematic-Cistercian/dp/0879079797/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1GFQ47S4UK0JU&colid=3J7KTMFKMB92V

amazon.com/Prayer-Spirituality-Christian-East-Vol-2/dp/0879077069/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I23RKMNQOTIS31&colid=3J7KTMFKMB92V

These are excellent sources of information for the Orthodox Church.

-MontChevalier

 

[mardukm]

Some of the more polemical things that have been offered by our RC friends do little to help a person make a heartfelt decision of entering into communion with a body of believers claiming to have the Truth. I would say the same to any Orthodox recommending similar polemical works to an inquirer to the RCC.

Blessings,
Marduk

 

[jonnyws]

Some of the more polemical things that have been offered by our RC friends do little to help a person make a heartfelt decision of entering into communion with a body of believers claiming to have the Truth. I would say the same to any Orthodox recommending similar polemical works to an inquirer to the RCC.

I completely agree - hence recommending Schmemann and Pomazansky. You’d hope in the 21st Century we might have progressed beyond polemics - both the RC and the EO can state there cases in intellectual, non-polemical ways, and that is the sort of literature we should be promoting. Kouyate42 is quite capable of making his own mind up but it will be easier if everyone provides thoughtful and useful advice along with prayer that the Holy Spirit will guide rather than polemical documents that do nothing but muddy the water.

 

[GaryTaylor]

Greetings,

The EO sights will help you, the Eastern part of this forum “here” will also help you with any questions. There’s some very good people, well informed, who attend here on the regular.

Do you read the Bible?

My Prayers are with you.

God Bless, Gary

 

[Harpazo]

I completely agree - hence recommending Schmemann and Pomazansky. You’d hope in the 21st Century we might have progressed beyond polemics - both the RC and the EO can state there cases in intellectual, non-polemical ways, and that is the sort of literature we should be promoting. Kouyate42 is quite capable of making his own mind up but it will be easier if everyone provides thoughtful and useful advice along with prayer that the Holy Spirit will guide rather than polemical documents that do nothing but muddy the water.

I completely agree. Fr. Pomazansky’s book helped me to understand more of the theological hurdles I would have to get over and he is very thoughtful and gracious in his writing. Fr. Seraphim of Platina, a recently reposed Orthodox hieromonk from California recommended we read the Saints closer to our times because we can relate to their struggles a little better than those of the 1st or 2nd centuries for example. That’s not to say the earlier Saints aren’t inspiring or hard to emulate, but looking to the more recent ones and then moving back has helped me tremendously in my spiritual growth.

Ultimately, Prayer, attending services and thoughtful reading and the guidance of the Holy Spirit will get you where you need to go.

In Christ,
Andrew

 

[Kouyate42]

A BIIIIIIIIIIG thank-you to everyone who has answered.

 

[jonnyws]

No problem. Good luck on your journey and you will be in my prayers.

Jonny

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

But to be fair, a visitor to my parish could say that all the Catholics here are concerned with is preserving Portuguese and Mexican cultures because that’s mostly all the stuff that goes on here. It’s heavy, heavy cultural action and sometimes it seems like Jesus comes along for the ride. I think Orthodoxy is just heavier in ONE ethnicity at a time where Catholicism has a few but hits them just as hard…

I also was interested in the Orthodox church and very nearly joined it, until I started going to parishes for Mass. They are much more interested in preserving their ethnic heritage than in spreading the Word of God. Many parishes are very xenophobic because they are afraid that newcomers will somehow bring in “new ideas”, i.e. Heresy, into their church and “taint” them. Now to be fair there are other Orthodox jurisdictions that are more open to newcomers than others, but that will depend on who’s in your area. You really should try an Eastern Rite Catholic church first, if you are interested in Eastern Christianity. Good Luck!

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

But to be fair, a visitor to my parish could say that all the Catholics here are concerned with is preserving Portuguese and Mexican cultures because that’s mostly all the stuff that goes on here. It’s heavy, heavy cultural action and sometimes it seems like Jesus comes along for the ride. I think Orthodoxy is just heavier in ONE ethnicity at a time where Catholicism has a few but hits them just as hard…

I also was interested in the Orthodox church and very nearly joined it, until I started going to parishes for Mass. They are much more interested in preserving their ethnic heritage than in spreading the Word of God. Many parishes are very xenophobic because they are afraid that newcomers will somehow bring in “new ideas”, i.e. Heresy, into their church and “taint” them. Now to be fair there are other Orthodox jurisdictions that are more open to newcomers than others, but that will depend on who’s in your area. You really should try an Eastern Rite Catholic church first, if you are interested in Eastern Christianity. Good Luck!