What was your experience converting from Catholicism to Orthodoxy?

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Ad_Gentes

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I participated in a tread last week – Why Do Catholics become Eastern Orthodox? – that was closed by the moderator for going off topic. The discussion went from some forum members sharing their reasons for converting to Orthodoxy and others their reasons for considering it, to a Catholic vs. Orthodox discussion on many of the things that divides us, such as the role of the papacy. Another thread discussing the differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy diverted into the same type of discussion. That is NOT what this thread is all about!

I am a practicing Roman Catholic, but lately have been drawn to Eastern Orthodoxy. I have been studying the Councils and Early Church Fathers, as well as the differences in belief between Catholicism and Orthodoxy. I have never attended an Orthodox Divine Liturgy or spoken with an Orthodox priest (I may do that this Sunday if I find the courage). What I am particularly interested is in the experience of those who have converted from Catholicism to Eastern Orthodoxy. Others are welcome to post as long as comments remain charitable and on topic.

Rules of Engagement:

  1. *]If you are an Orthodox Convert, you are welcome to share your experiences of conversion from Catholicism – Please, no Catholic bashing!
    *]If you are currently a Catholic interested in Orthodoxy, please feel free to ask questions.
    *]If you are a Catholic not interested in Orthodoxy, you may comment or ask questions in a respectful manner, but please, no Catholic-Orthodox polemics!
    *]Absolutely NO polemical discussion about controversial theology, ecclesiology, history, or similar divisive topics.
    *]Please, stay ON TOPIC!!!
    I look forward to reading the comments of those who have gone through the process of converting to Eastern Orthodoxy. Was it a hard decision? How did your family and friends react? Did you have support from someone? Did you have difficulties with any believes or forms of worship? Are you happy with your decision? Have you ever regretted it?

    Thanks for your responses!
 
Wow! I guess without the excitement of a Catholic-Orthodox debate, this topic is just not interesting enough to warrant a response. I was hoping that some of the Orthodox Converts in this forum (and I know there are a few) could guide me in the right direction on how I would even begin to approach my interest in Eastern Orthodoxy. Leaving (if I decided to do so) Roman Catholicism for Eastern Orthodoxy would be the hardest thing I could ever do. To be completely honest, the possibility of leaving my Catholic faith is frightening. I just wanted to hear from those who have gone through the same thing.

Thanks and God bless.
 
The conversion to Orthodoxy occurred over the course of 2-3 years. I grew up Latin Catholic, but I did not know the particulars of the faith very well. In college, I became more involved in the Catholic faith and began reading apologetic books (e.g. Catholicism and Fundamentalist, by Karl Keating) as well as spiritual and historical works.

When in grad school, I began attending a Ruthenian Catholic church. I already had book exposure to Byzantine Christianity (The Orthodox Church, The Orthodox Way, online forums), but the Divine Liturgy and other services of the Ruthenian Catholic church drew me in. About the same time, I was speaking with Orthodox and Eastern Catholics about Eastern theology. I decided from an early point that I would become Eastern (change of sui iurus church), but it was not until later, after leaving the area, that I determined in becoming Orthodox.

It was somewhat of a difficult decision. I had spent the last several years studying Catholic theology and most of my friends were Catholic. My mother did not mind so much me becoming Orthodox. My father less so I think. I don’t think he appreciated my move in Byzantine Catholicism even. Some of my friends did not mind so much (especially my Eastern Catholic friends). Some of my Latin friends didn’t understand. I had some support from my parish community in becoming Orthodox, as well as a friend or two online. I didn’t have any problems with Orthodox beliefs or worship. The only major difficulty I recall is struggling between Oriental Orthodoxy and Eastern Orthodoxy. I am happy with the decision. I don’t think I’ve ever truly regretted my decision. I’ve been having health problems the past several years, and sometimes have crazy ideas like, “God is punishing me because I turned my back on the Latin faith.” But I had thoughts like this when Catholic, too (e.g. “God is punishing me because I’m praying to the saints” or “because I did this or that sin.”) Ultimately, I’ve learned that these thoughts are not from God.
 
Ad_Gentes said:
Wow! I guess without the excitement of a Catholic-Orthodox debate, this topic is just not interesting enough to warrant a response. I was hoping that some of the Orthodox Converts in this forum (and I know there are a few) could guide me in the right direction on how I would even begin to approach my interest in Eastern Orthodoxy. Leaving (if I decided to do so) Roman Catholicism for Eastern Orthodoxy would be the hardest thing I could ever do. To be completely honest, the possibility of leaving my Catholic faith is frightening. I just wanted to hear from those who have gone through the same thing.

Thanks and God bless.
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I’m not coming to this site as frequent as I was before, so I didn’t see this until now.

I combind my reading about Orthodoxy with frequent visits to Divine Liturgy at Orthodox Church as well as frequent conversations with priests, mostly Orthodox since they were more open and available to me even though they each had families, and a few Catholic.

I would highly recommend visiting the Orthodox Church and speaking with a priest. I also recommend that as long as you are Catholic that you continue practicing that Faith and continuing to obey all the is required of you as a Catholic.

Should at some point in the future you decide to be Orthodox, don’t be surprised if the Orthodox priest tells you NO as he will be testing you. Persistancy is key. Once you make that decision to become a Catechumen, then you would not be bound to obey the regulations of the Catholic Church.

You can Google “SCOBA” Synodical Council of Orthodox Bishops of the Americas as they will have a parish finder to dircect you to the nearest canonically Orthodox Church - it doesn’t matter which Jurisdiction you choose. The Liturgy and Theology will be identical.

Orthodox is Orthodox is Orthodox

I wish you the best!
 
Madaglan or anyone else: What was the deciding factor in converting to Eastern rather than Oriental Orthodoxy? Both are present in my area, though only the EO are the only ones with an organized presence, as their roots are much deeper. There are not only churches, but even a missionary school! Even the non-Chalcedonians (Ethiopians and Eritreans) attend at the local OCA or Holy Dormition (under the Bulgarian Orthodox Church). Yet I personally find myself very attracted to Coptic Orthodoxy, so it is difficult to see exactly why one is so preferable to the other, especially in light of various ecumenical statements (particularly the “Agreed Statement on Christology”, Geneva, Sept. 1990) that recognize that there is more that unites the two than divides them.
 
I didn’t convert from Catholicism, I was a non-practicing Anglican when started attending the Divine Liturgy, but for me the hardest part was the feeling that you get when you go into any strange church with strange practices that you stick out like a sore thumb, whereas in reality you don’t.

But Orthodoxy is something that you can only come to understand by attending the Divine Liturgy and seeing how the faith is practiced.

In answer to Dzheremi:
I know you didn’t ask me, but it is an interesting question for me since the person who first introduced me to the concept of Orthodoxy was a Copt. To be quite honest I still don’t see much of a difference, a different part of the Christology is emphasized, and the saints are a bit different, but that’s about it. Last year I went to prayer sessions at school with a bunch of Coptic students, and led by a priest of the OCA. Really my decision on which church I started going to was based on a desire to get the Liturgy in the English language (I tried the local Greek church, and I just didn’t get much out of it). Has the Oriental Orthodox had an English speaking parish at that time which was easier to get to than my present Parish (which I just happened to live close to), I probably would have gone to them.
 
I myself am considering Orthodoxy as well.

One of the pull factors is how the churches are organized, as well as the very mystical way in which they approach Christianity is very appealing to me and would seem to facilitate my salvation/Theosis more quickly than Catholicism.

I’m struggling with the concept of original sin as well, and I favor the Orthodox explanation of the fall of man.

I don’t know how to go about this journey either. I’m thinking since Lent is starting up in the East and West soon I’m going to go to maybe an Orthodox version of RCIA type class and see what I think.
 
It really depends on the individual parishes for when those classes are held. In many parishes it depends on demand more than anything, but talk to the priest anyway. When I started attending (I think it was just before Lent) there were none being offered but I was led to the parish library and given advice on good books to select.
 
Nine_Two said:
It really depends on the individual parishes for when those classes are held. In many parishes it depends on demand more than anything, but talk to the priest anyway. When I started attending (I think it was just before Lent) there were none being offered but I was led to the parish library and given advice on good books to select.
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This was my experience as well. My parish priest recommended books and asked me every so often if I had questions. In order to make sure I was prepared he had me do a “Catechumen Exam” which was just to see if the basics of Orthodoxy were covered.

In Christ,
Andrew
 
Harpazo said:
This was my experience as well. My parish priest recommended books and asked me every so often if I had questions. In order to make sure I was prepared he had me do a “Catechumen Exam” which was just to see if the basics of Orthodoxy were covered.

In Christ,
Andrew
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With me, my priest gaave me a book to read and a notebook to take notes so that I really studied it and not just read it. And we met together once a week for 1 on 1 catechesis.
 
Hi,i was raised Roman Catholic and in my late teens began attending Church regularly,after then a few months at RC i started attending a Greek Orthodox Church with a friend.
Thirsting for God i remained with the Greeks and requested to be Baptized by them.They Baptised me and for 5/6 years attended the Greek Orthodox Church.

After that i found the Russian Orthodox Church and have been going there mainly for the last 10 years,

but so much for my “Conversion” to ‘Orthodoxy’, over the last 2 years i have gone back to Roman Catholic Churches and partook of the Sacraments and have prayed alot in their Churches and rediscovered the Roman Church again,i didnt spend much time there when i first became interested in God but ran over to Orthodoxy and actually on the year of St Paul at the Catholic Church i found myself going back there after 15 years to pray ,to weep and to recieve benefit from many confessions and blessings from the Holy Communion.

Orthodox Fathers have spoken not to partake of Sacraments at Rome and i have agreed for periods of time,but the feelings and blessings i recieve at the Catholic Church keep me going back there and i go and still partake.

After going back to the Catholic Church i would sit in the Cathedral and pray to God to keep me here and pray to stay away from the Orthodox.

I am only involved mainly with one Orthodox Parish at the moment which i feel close to two priests there,but i feel really that i dont need to know them ,probably more a cultural thing being a Latin and they being Russians,with the Greeks i realise i dont feel at ease or comfortable their being a non Greek and all their worship is mainly in Greek,

In our town we have an Orthodox Mission Church which is focused on using the English Language and its members are all ex Catholics and Protestants.

They produce alot of pamphlets and books condemning all the beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church,even the ‘Sacred Heart’ of Jesus.

They have a big barrel where they Baptise all Converts.

Anyway what my Orthodox Confessor has said is that God is even in Hell and doesnt abandon people,to explain my feelings of being Blessed at the Catholic Church,but he says Orthodoxy is a higher calling and that an Orthodox shouldnt lower himself like anyone of us would stoop down to Hell even knowing that God is ‘there’ too.

But i enjoy and like and love going to the Roman Catholic Church and enjoy the blessings i recieve from there and will continue to go ,and give no thought to all the Dogmatics and Doctrinal issues so forth ,im tired of that path having sought out the most "Truest’ or most “Orthodox” “Correct” Church around.I studied and prayed on that path to believe that in the whole of my Country that there wasnt one true priest there.

Only to years later weep and weep in the Church of my roots like an innocent Child to be consoled by beautiful Statues of our Lady or of St Francis and have God speak to me through them having innocent faith,but hang on "what happened to my loyalness to ‘Orthodox’ practice and worship?

well i encourage anyone to Study hard regarding proper Faith and Church Councils and Heresies and modern day heresies and Anathemes,but where each of us will pray and find comfort love and peace and Blessings only God knows Brethren.

Bless.
 
Thanks to everyone for sharing your comments and experiences. I finally had the courage and attended Orthros and the Divine Liturgy at a Greek Orthodox Church today. It was certainly an interesting experience. There where some obvious differences from the Catholic Mass, but I was surprised at the similarity of many of the prayers. I tried to follow the best I could, but was kind of lost at times. Most of the Liturgy was in English, although some prayers were in Greek (a beautiful language, by the way). The choir sounded like angels singing. The vestments were colorful and solemn. The icons were inspiring. Holy Communion was interesting and very different from Catholic Communion. I liked the Blessed Bread that everyone (Orthodox and Non-Orthodox) shared. The Lord’s Prayer was said in English, Greek, and other languages representing those present. It was just beautiful.

The priest seemed very nice. He greeted me before Orthros started (I was there early) and made sure I had a Divine Liturgy book to follow through the service. We spoke briefly at the end and was invited to participate of a weekly Bible study. I’m not sure if I’ll attend, but I’m thinking about it. He also invited me to come back next Sunday.

So, what now? I’m not sure. While I had a wonderful time and the community was very welcoming, I can’t say this was a defining moment for me. I still have many questions and I’m not really sure where God is calling me to. I am still very active in my Catholic parish and I’m not sure that will change anytime soon. I would, however, like to continue learning more about the Orthodox faith. Perhaps I’ll make an appointment with the Orthodox priest and share my feeling and thoughts on the matter. The Bible study may not be such a bad idea either since the priest said they were open to discussing the Bible from all perspectives (not just pushing the Orthodox view). Father certainly seemed more approachable that other Catholic priests of parishes I have visited.

No matter what, I’m glad I had an opportunity to pray with my Orthodox brothers and sisters and I hope it won’t be the last time. God bless and thank you again!
 
A friend introduced me to Eastern Christian Thought, Patristics, and Eastern Orthodox Theology at University. I was studying Theology and I became extremely interested in Patristics. I started attending a Melkite Catholic Church. The more and more I learned and tried to live an “Orthodox” way of life (fasting, praying, feasting, theology), the more I was drawn to Orthodoxy. After visiting an Orthodox Monastery, I slowly began realizing that I was attempting to live an Orthodox life, but outside of the Orthodox Church. So my wife and I converted.
 
Congratulations on your recent Illumination!
LakaYaRabb said:
A friend introduced me to Eastern Christian Thought, Patristics, and Eastern Orthodox Theology at University. I was studying Theology and I became extremely interested in Patristics. I started attending a Melkite Catholic Church. The more and more I learned and tried to live an “Orthodox” way of life (fasting, praying, feasting, theology), the more I was drawn to Orthodoxy. After visiting an Orthodox Monastery, I slowly began realizing that I was attempting to live an Orthodox life, but outside of the Orthodox Church. So my wife and I converted.
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Glad your experience was beautiful! Orthodoxy is not a religion of emotions, so it doesn’t surprise me that you don’t consider it a “defining moment”. Orthodoxy touches deeper within the heart which is only noticed as it grows over time. If you go without it too long, it pulls you back from deep inside you, not emotions.
Ad_Gentes said:
Thanks to everyone for sharing your comments and experiences. I finally had the courage and attended Orthros and the Divine Liturgy at a Greek Orthodox Church today. It was certainly an interesting experience. There where some obvious differences from the Catholic Mass, but I was surprised at the similarity of many of the prayers. I tried to follow the best I could, but was kind of lost at times. Most of the Liturgy was in English, although some prayers were in Greek (a beautiful language, by the way). The choir sounded like angels singing. The vestments were colorful and solemn. The icons were inspiring. Holy Communion was interesting and very different from Catholic Communion. I liked the Blessed Bread that everyone (Orthodox and Non-Orthodox) shared. The Lord’s Prayer was said in English, Greek, and other languages representing those present. It was just beautiful.

The priest seemed very nice. He greeted me before Orthros started (I was there early) and made sure I had a Divine Liturgy book to follow through the service. We spoke briefly at the end and was invited to participate of a weekly Bible study. I’m not sure if I’ll attend, but I’m thinking about it. He also invited me to come back next Sunday.

So, what now? I’m not sure. While I had a wonderful time and the community was very welcoming, I can’t say this was a defining moment for me. I still have many questions and I’m not really sure where God is calling me to. I am still very active in my Catholic parish and I’m not sure that will change anytime soon. I would, however, like to continue learning more about the Orthodox faith. Perhaps I’ll make an appointment with the Orthodox priest and share my feeling and thoughts on the matter. The Bible study may not be such a bad idea either since the priest said they were open to discussing the Bible from all perspectives (not just pushing the Orthodox view). Father certainly seemed more approachable that other Catholic priests of parishes I have visited.

No matter what, I’m glad I had an opportunity to pray with my Orthodox brothers and sisters and I hope it won’t be the last time. God bless and thank you again!
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dzheremi said:
Madaglan or anyone else: What was the deciding factor in converting to Eastern rather than Oriental Orthodoxy? Both are present in my area, though only the EO are the only ones with an organized presence, as their roots are much deeper. There are not only churches, but even a missionary school! Even the non-Chalcedonians (Ethiopians and Eritreans) attend at the local OCA or Holy Dormition (under the Bulgarian Orthodox Church). Yet I personally find myself very attracted to Coptic Orthodoxy, so it is difficult to see exactly why one is so preferable to the other, especially in light of various ecumenical statements (particularly the “Agreed Statement on Christology”, Geneva, Sept. 1990) that recognize that there is more that unites the two than divides them.
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I already had attended a Ruthenian Catholic church for some time. I appreciated the Byzantine tradition and was impressed by Mt. Athos and the saints of the Byzantine tradition. So, I already was predisposed towards a Byzantine Orthodox Church.

I read the book Chalcedon Revisited, which was written by an Oriental Orthodox priest, and this established in my mind the differences between Eastern Orthodoxy and Oriental Orthodoxy. I saw sense in the Oriental Orthodox Christology of miaphysitism, but by the same token I did not see the Christology at Chalcedon as Nestorian. I did feel that some expressions of truth were a bit odd sounding (e.g. God suffered, but only in his human nature, not in his divine nature), but I recognized that in saying this the divine impassibility was affirmed. The Oriental Orthodox it seemed were content to say that God suffers (even as He is impassible) – a paradox, which I also see as all right.

I presently understand the Christology of Oriental Orthodox as miaphysite and not monophysite.
 
Thank you for your reply, Madaglan. I am currently working through “Chalcedon Revisited” myself, but it is slow going as I am not well-versed on many of the technical and historical points it deals with. There are certain things that I have never understood outside of the Chalcedonian Christological formula (such as your example of Christ’s suffering) which make the miaphysite position difficult to comprehend, but I am attracted to Oriental Orthodoxy to a sufficient degree to at least learn more. Thank you for sharing your viewpoint.
 
dzheremi said:
Thank you for your reply, Madaglan. I am currently working through “Chalcedon Revisited” myself, but it is slow going as I am not well-versed on many of the technical and historical points it deals with. There are certain things that I have never understood outside of the Chalcedonian Christological formula (such as your example of Christ’s suffering) which make the miaphysite position difficult to comprehend, but I am attracted to Oriental Orthodoxy to a sufficient degree to at least learn more. Thank you for sharing your viewpoint.
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Coptichymns.net has a forum where much on the non-Chalcedonian Christological formula can be found.
 
Ad Gentes,hi,i have been told that the Catholic Church recognizes the Orthodox churches as Sister Churches and Catholic Priests have said that we are allowed to attend there,and even partake of the Sacraments as the Catholic Church recognizes them.

But the thing is the Orthodox priest are taught to refuse Catholics Holy Communion unless they move away from Rome and become baptised or Chrismated by the Orthodox.

Orthodox priests or Bishops have been known to give the Communion to Catholics but their Church rules against this practice and most Orthodox Churches do not Commune Catholics.

But until you would decide to let the Orthodox annoint you or Baptise you,the Catholic priests have told me you are allowed to worship and pray their,you just normally wouldnt be allowed to Commune.you could keep attending for a time and get to know the people or particular parishes more over time before you would make the desicion for the Orthodox to Baptise or Chrismate you.

Catholics are allowed to go back and forth but the Orthodox are not allowed to attend and use the Sacraments at Rome.

Ive had some bad experiences with some greeks maybe thats why i couldnt care less if i dont attend Orthodox Churches.I hanging on still to a couple of russian priests but maybe il move away from them too and just mix with my own kind

Bye
 
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