Fr. Joseph, currently I'm listening to your sub stack and am amazed at how similar our paths are. But you and I have talked several times about Orthodoxy. I'm living in Russia and have been here for many years. I've asked so many Russian about how to become Orthodox even begged them to go to church with them, yet for whatever reason it doesn't happen. So my question to you is this, what do I do? To be honest I've kind of giving up hope. It's why I keep reaching out, would you be willing to help me?
Hi Steve! Blessings! Anytime you are visiting Rostov Veliky, you are invited to be a guest at our church. You are welcome here anytime. If you are located in the Moscow area, I can recommend multiple Orthodox churches with English speaking priests.
To join the church, you just need to do a few things: (1) Start attending an Orthodox church regularly, especially Sunday mornings and Saturday evenings. (2) Tell your priest that you want to join the church. Ask him to make you a "catechumen". (This means you enter into a period of learning about the faith from your priest.) (3) After you have spent a few months as a catechumen, whenever you and your priest agree that you are ready, you get baptized and officially enter the Orthodox Church. Then you can start going to confession, taking holy communion, and enjoying full membership in the Body of Christ.
Hello Fr. Joe, you and I spoke some time ago about finding a contact here in Kazan about finding out more information about becoming Orthodox. It was very much appreciated. Recently I was talking to a new acquaintance about what you are doing in helping other Americans and those living in Europe who are wanting to move to Russia. Both of us have a great desire to help in this manner as well. Would you be willing to talk to us about what you are doing? Looking forward to hearing from you.
Yes, it's definitely worth taking the time looking into the differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy, and seriously considering the good reasons to join the one which has kept true to the original Faith.
Hi Father Gleason, we are an English-speaking Russian Orthodox family, looking to start a small-scale farm in Russia, not too far from a town. We think it may be best to look near a parish that has many English-speakers (at least till we get better at Russian). Would you have any advice for us?
We are retired and not in the best health. I am of Russian heritage and always wanted to visit. You speak of families which is a wonderful beginning and a place for the children to grow up with good Christian values. Harder for older folks to resettle. America is in the midst of anarchy lawlessness immorality and godlessness. No longer can one live in peace. There is political persecution. You have not spoke of the repercussions of the ongoing war. I really don’t know the truth because of media manipulation of the facts. Thank you for your articles. Appreciate your insight. God bless your work.
Is there an article or website that would provide a step by step guide to move to Russia from America? I am more than interested. I am a conservative Christian with traditional family values. Thank you and pray for me please.
It is a very complex topic with many different considerations and options, and I'm not aware of any single article that does (or that even could) cover everything.
I created this website for the purpose of focusing on this topic, and helping people to better understand what it's like to live in Russia, and how to move to Russia. Keep watching this site, and hopefully the articles published will answer any questions.
You ask for comments on the reason for subscribing to your substack, however you provided only a Twitter link. This doesn't work for those of us who don't post on Twitter. I am glad to see that I can post a comment here on this article, although you are very restrictive to non-paying subscribers. You may not realize that many of us have been hard hit financially.
My reason for subscribing is to learn about Russia from an American expat perspective. You seem to be honest and not engaging in candy-coated propaganda. I believe it would be a good thing for many Americans to get an accurate picture of what life is like in Russia. We are told that it is an authoritarian tyranny and that the people are hard hit economically by the sanctions, and further that they oppose the military action in Ukraine but cannot speak out due to oppressive speech restrictions.
Karl, another good post for information about life in Russia is Hall Feeman's blog: Between Two Worlds. He is an American, living and raising a family in Russia and writes monthly about his experiences. https://halfreeman.wordpress.com/
As soon as I get my new job, I would like to upgrade my subscription to the 200.00 subscription I would be willing to pay you to speak with you over the phone or Skype as me and my mother and brother are dedicated to leaving the United States. ( The U.S. has collapsed in its morals.)
Greetings. I'm a life-long American who converted to Orthodoxy several years ago from over forty years of being a Baptist. In the journey I've met a number of people who whisper of moving to Russia. But personally, while I can see the appeal on some levels, I don't understand their trust of the Russian government. I mean, I don't trust the American government much either, but it's the monster I know as opposed to the monster I don't. And I don't understand how the Russian government isn't also monstrous in its own ways, if even half the stories are to be believed. Help me to understand the thought process of becoming a Russian national so I can understand the aforementioned friends of mine. Thank you.
I love the idea of moving there, but getting too old for being productive and of use! which to me is a necessity for serving the country and strengthening it.
Father, is there any way I can make a direct payment for consultation? My wife is a Russian citizen and I am an American. I am an IT specialist (TCP/IP Networking and Cisco gear), and I also have creative ability (photoshop, video editing, YouTube, writing ability). I am working on the language. I desperately want to move my wife to Russia and start our family (eventually when she is ready—she’s 26 I am 29) and I need help finding a job. I also need spiritual consultation. We are Orthodox Christians. Agray.1293@gmail.com is my email if anyone has any leads :) Слава Россия!!!
If you're considering moving to Russia look at the city of Nizhniy Novgorod. It's a beautiful and developing city not far from Moscow with lots of universities located by the river Volga. It used to be called the city of a thousand churches. And now they reconstruct and rebuild lots of churches here and in the region.
I am an apprentice electrician with wife and 6 kids and the idea to leave America because of what it has become has been getting more intense everyday. I can not stand all the filth there is here and hearing how traditional russia is makes me want to move more, i would love to still do electrical work over there and own land for a homestead. I just dont know if electricians are in high demand?
I'm an Apprentice Electrician as well, with 5 kids. If you find something job wise, please pass it along, we really want to move to Rostov but i don't see a lot of jobs there
There are good opportunities for earning an income here, but it most cases, it will require changing professions. For example, if you are a native English speaker, there is good money to be made.
What opportunities are there for native English speaker's, and what exactly is "good money" there? Are we able to keep USA pension's while living there and working? Thank you.
I've been following your blog for awhile, we could definitely buy a smaller house for like 15 or 20,000 in Rostov Veliky and fix it up or something. As long as I was able to get a job there I'd be good.
I have my TEFL certificate and would be happy to teach English, but are there opportunities for that in Rostov Veliky? Or would I have to move near a big city?
I can't stand living in the vassal state that is the UK anymore and would love to move to Russia unfortunately I don't have the money to do so and support myself there.
Fr. Joseph, currently I'm listening to your sub stack and am amazed at how similar our paths are. But you and I have talked several times about Orthodoxy. I'm living in Russia and have been here for many years. I've asked so many Russian about how to become Orthodox even begged them to go to church with them, yet for whatever reason it doesn't happen. So my question to you is this, what do I do? To be honest I've kind of giving up hope. It's why I keep reaching out, would you be willing to help me?
Hi Steve! Blessings! Anytime you are visiting Rostov Veliky, you are invited to be a guest at our church. You are welcome here anytime. If you are located in the Moscow area, I can recommend multiple Orthodox churches with English speaking priests.
To join the church, you just need to do a few things: (1) Start attending an Orthodox church regularly, especially Sunday mornings and Saturday evenings. (2) Tell your priest that you want to join the church. Ask him to make you a "catechumen". (This means you enter into a period of learning about the faith from your priest.) (3) After you have spent a few months as a catechumen, whenever you and your priest agree that you are ready, you get baptized and officially enter the Orthodox Church. Then you can start going to confession, taking holy communion, and enjoying full membership in the Body of Christ.
Fr. Joseph, I am in Kazan. Do you know of any priests here that might know English?
Did you receive a call from Fr. Roman?
Yes, Fr. Roman lives there. He speaks English. What is your phone number?
Hello Fr. Joe, you and I spoke some time ago about finding a contact here in Kazan about finding out more information about becoming Orthodox. It was very much appreciated. Recently I was talking to a new acquaintance about what you are doing in helping other Americans and those living in Europe who are wanting to move to Russia. Both of us have a great desire to help in this manner as well. Would you be willing to talk to us about what you are doing? Looking forward to hearing from you.
Hi Steve, I sent you an email.
Hello Fr. Joseph,
Sorry it took so long to get back with you. I don't remember getting an email from you. Could you resend it. Thanks.
How do Catholics fare who want to move to Russia?
They do fine here. There are far more Orthodox churches here than Catholic churches. But some Catholic churches can be found.
I would highly recomment departing frpm the Roman church, and joining with the original and only true church: eastern orthodox.
Yes, it's definitely worth taking the time looking into the differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy, and seriously considering the good reasons to join the one which has kept true to the original Faith.
Hi Father Gleason, we are an English-speaking Russian Orthodox family, looking to start a small-scale farm in Russia, not too far from a town. We think it may be best to look near a parish that has many English-speakers (at least till we get better at Russian). Would you have any advice for us?
We are retired and not in the best health. I am of Russian heritage and always wanted to visit. You speak of families which is a wonderful beginning and a place for the children to grow up with good Christian values. Harder for older folks to resettle. America is in the midst of anarchy lawlessness immorality and godlessness. No longer can one live in peace. There is political persecution. You have not spoke of the repercussions of the ongoing war. I really don’t know the truth because of media manipulation of the facts. Thank you for your articles. Appreciate your insight. God bless your work.
Is there an article or website that would provide a step by step guide to move to Russia from America? I am more than interested. I am a conservative Christian with traditional family values. Thank you and pray for me please.
It is a very complex topic with many different considerations and options, and I'm not aware of any single article that does (or that even could) cover everything.
I created this website for the purpose of focusing on this topic, and helping people to better understand what it's like to live in Russia, and how to move to Russia. Keep watching this site, and hopefully the articles published will answer any questions.
Thank you very much. Please pray for me and my family. I wish you Godspeed.
You ask for comments on the reason for subscribing to your substack, however you provided only a Twitter link. This doesn't work for those of us who don't post on Twitter. I am glad to see that I can post a comment here on this article, although you are very restrictive to non-paying subscribers. You may not realize that many of us have been hard hit financially.
My reason for subscribing is to learn about Russia from an American expat perspective. You seem to be honest and not engaging in candy-coated propaganda. I believe it would be a good thing for many Americans to get an accurate picture of what life is like in Russia. We are told that it is an authoritarian tyranny and that the people are hard hit economically by the sanctions, and further that they oppose the military action in Ukraine but cannot speak out due to oppressive speech restrictions.
Thank you.
Karl, another good post for information about life in Russia is Hall Feeman's blog: Between Two Worlds. He is an American, living and raising a family in Russia and writes monthly about his experiences. https://halfreeman.wordpress.com/
It seems he has moved back to the states! :(
Thank you very much for this great resource. Please pray for me as I do intend to leave the U.S. and move to Russia.
Glory to God! May the Lord be with you and help you!
As soon as I get my new job, I would like to upgrade my subscription to the 200.00 subscription I would be willing to pay you to speak with you over the phone or Skype as me and my mother and brother are dedicated to leaving the United States. ( The U.S. has collapsed in its morals.)
@Sophrony
Greetings. I'm a life-long American who converted to Orthodoxy several years ago from over forty years of being a Baptist. In the journey I've met a number of people who whisper of moving to Russia. But personally, while I can see the appeal on some levels, I don't understand their trust of the Russian government. I mean, I don't trust the American government much either, but it's the monster I know as opposed to the monster I don't. And I don't understand how the Russian government isn't also monstrous in its own ways, if even half the stories are to be believed. Help me to understand the thought process of becoming a Russian national so I can understand the aforementioned friends of mine. Thank you.
I love the idea of moving there, but getting too old for being productive and of use! which to me is a necessity for serving the country and strengthening it.
Father, is there any way I can make a direct payment for consultation? My wife is a Russian citizen and I am an American. I am an IT specialist (TCP/IP Networking and Cisco gear), and I also have creative ability (photoshop, video editing, YouTube, writing ability). I am working on the language. I desperately want to move my wife to Russia and start our family (eventually when she is ready—she’s 26 I am 29) and I need help finding a job. I also need spiritual consultation. We are Orthodox Christians. Agray.1293@gmail.com is my email if anyone has any leads :) Слава Россия!!!
If you're considering moving to Russia look at the city of Nizhniy Novgorod. It's a beautiful and developing city not far from Moscow with lots of universities located by the river Volga. It used to be called the city of a thousand churches. And now they reconstruct and rebuild lots of churches here and in the region.
Is there any chance I could get his number?
I am an apprentice electrician with wife and 6 kids and the idea to leave America because of what it has become has been getting more intense everyday. I can not stand all the filth there is here and hearing how traditional russia is makes me want to move more, i would love to still do electrical work over there and own land for a homestead. I just dont know if electricians are in high demand?
I'm an Apprentice Electrician as well, with 5 kids. If you find something job wise, please pass it along, we really want to move to Rostov but i don't see a lot of jobs there
There are good opportunities for earning an income here, but it most cases, it will require changing professions. For example, if you are a native English speaker, there is good money to be made.
What opportunities are there for native English speaker's, and what exactly is "good money" there? Are we able to keep USA pension's while living there and working? Thank you.
I've been following your blog for awhile, we could definitely buy a smaller house for like 15 or 20,000 in Rostov Veliky and fix it up or something. As long as I was able to get a job there I'd be good.
I have my TEFL certificate and would be happy to teach English, but are there opportunities for that in Rostov Veliky? Or would I have to move near a big city?
Some of the best job options in Russia involve teaching English online.
I love Ristov Veliky from everything you've said about it.
I can't stand living in the vassal state that is the UK anymore and would love to move to Russia unfortunately I don't have the money to do so and support myself there.