So a friend of mine—solid Southern Baptist guy—moved to Russia for work, and he said, “I just want to find a church, keep growing spiritually, you know?”
I have converted to Orthodox from deep in the Evangelical World about 1.5 years ago. I wanted to join a Russian Orthodox Church but the best I could find was an OCA Church 30 minutes drive from my house. I’m happy. We are all cut from the same cloth but I still prefer Russian Orthodox traditions.
May this previously Baptist man become so thankful that God brought him into His authentic Church, that he bows down with tears of joy and kisses the floor of this Russian Orthodox Church.
We have a similar background. I also looked for a Russian Orthodox church (family heritage), but found a very welcoming multi-ethnic church with Slavic roots. It's nice to have a mix of traditions, too. The core is what's most important, I think :)
I appreciate the candid humor. I approached the Church as a long time devotee of Jesus Christ exiled from decades of Protestant nondenominationaliam. I became disengaged after the loss of my daughter. I experienced and explored other faith traditions. Nothing really stuck but when researching Hesychism I came upon a simple faith practice known as the Jesus prayer. In months following this practice I decided to check out the folks that practiced this. I embraced the mystery and have never left.
I’ve been exploring Orthodoxy since January after being an evangelical for 50 years. I’ve also found reverence, tradition and a home. I’ve been writing about my journey and wish I could have summarized as well as this story. On the outside looking in, it made no sense. But once I took that step inside and was just open to looking at things differently, it was like a flood gate opened. It all just felt like it always should have. God called me into richness and depth. Lord, have mercy.
I really like this guy's humility. So unusual (across a lot of denominations). Just to have a sense that modern American evangelicalism isn't the only way faith can or has ever been expressed. The hunger for reverence and a connection with the church through time as well as across countries is so resonant with me. It's something all churches could do with observing.
Glory to God, I hope someday to move to Russia and this is great to see! I am already Orthodox thankfully but of course every church is the same yet different in subtle ways
Considering the growing number of Orthodox here in the US and in the UK, I’m curious how things will evolve in our own unique expression of Orthodoxy. Do you have thoughts on that? Less Russian or other eastern language barriers? Our own unique contributions they might welcome?
I no longer reside in Russia (do to the war) Georgia is now my home. I'm learning at a very slow pace how Orthodox works. There's no fanfare, clapping, or raising of hands, yet the spiritual connection to God is deep and real. I equate it to 1 Corinthians 13:11
“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.”
The difference between the Western Church and Orthodox is very similar. True spiritual growth comes maturity. Neither are bad, I just chose the latter than the former.
This was so good. Just what I needed this morning, he made me laugh a lot. I have been drawn to Orthodoxy for over 5 years, and really hadn't had the opportunity nor transportation to get to one. Now, in Utah, in America, I can hop on a bus or train to attend, and attend I will. I want to begin Catechumen classes now.
Um. This is not satire. This is absolutely true.
Yes, it is a good portrait.
Irrespective of whether it's truth or satire, it's beautifully written, and very funny!
I have converted to Orthodox from deep in the Evangelical World about 1.5 years ago. I wanted to join a Russian Orthodox Church but the best I could find was an OCA Church 30 minutes drive from my house. I’m happy. We are all cut from the same cloth but I still prefer Russian Orthodox traditions.
May this previously Baptist man become so thankful that God brought him into His authentic Church, that he bows down with tears of joy and kisses the floor of this Russian Orthodox Church.
We have a similar background. I also looked for a Russian Orthodox church (family heritage), but found a very welcoming multi-ethnic church with Slavic roots. It's nice to have a mix of traditions, too. The core is what's most important, I think :)
I appreciate the candid humor. I approached the Church as a long time devotee of Jesus Christ exiled from decades of Protestant nondenominationaliam. I became disengaged after the loss of my daughter. I experienced and explored other faith traditions. Nothing really stuck but when researching Hesychism I came upon a simple faith practice known as the Jesus prayer. In months following this practice I decided to check out the folks that practiced this. I embraced the mystery and have never left.
I’ve been exploring Orthodoxy since January after being an evangelical for 50 years. I’ve also found reverence, tradition and a home. I’ve been writing about my journey and wish I could have summarized as well as this story. On the outside looking in, it made no sense. But once I took that step inside and was just open to looking at things differently, it was like a flood gate opened. It all just felt like it always should have. God called me into richness and depth. Lord, have mercy.
I really like this guy's humility. So unusual (across a lot of denominations). Just to have a sense that modern American evangelicalism isn't the only way faith can or has ever been expressed. The hunger for reverence and a connection with the church through time as well as across countries is so resonant with me. It's something all churches could do with observing.
This was a great read. It reminded me of my first visit to an Orthodox Church. I love seeing the effect it has on newcomers. God bless.
This is Gold 🌟
Glory to God, I hope someday to move to Russia and this is great to see! I am already Orthodox thankfully but of course every church is the same yet different in subtle ways
2000 years of tradition indeed.
Glory to God.
Great satire with Truth blended in.
Considering the growing number of Orthodox here in the US and in the UK, I’m curious how things will evolve in our own unique expression of Orthodoxy. Do you have thoughts on that? Less Russian or other eastern language barriers? Our own unique contributions they might welcome?
Probably, yes.
Try this Orthodox Appalachian Bluegrass:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh6vavPsoPE&list=RDKh6vavPsoPE&start_radio=1
Oh! Be still my heart..
:)
🤣
I no longer reside in Russia (do to the war) Georgia is now my home. I'm learning at a very slow pace how Orthodox works. There's no fanfare, clapping, or raising of hands, yet the spiritual connection to God is deep and real. I equate it to 1 Corinthians 13:11
“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.”
The difference between the Western Church and Orthodox is very similar. True spiritual growth comes maturity. Neither are bad, I just chose the latter than the former.
This is just so absolutely beautiful!
This was so good. Just what I needed this morning, he made me laugh a lot. I have been drawn to Orthodoxy for over 5 years, and really hadn't had the opportunity nor transportation to get to one. Now, in Utah, in America, I can hop on a bus or train to attend, and attend I will. I want to begin Catechumen classes now.
A deacon rotated me gently, like I was a confused Roomba. 💀