This is the story of the first time that I visited an Orthodox Church - With a few things that I learned or wished I’d known beforehand, that I’ll share because we all know that visiting church for the first time - or the first time in a long time, is quite intimidating and coming out of ~12 years of militant Atheism around the time of my first visit, I really didnt know what to expect!
First, its okay to feel like you’re entering a different, unfamiliar world, because... Well, you are! One thing that some people consider is contacting the Church beforehand (You will likely find an email address and/or phone number, etc on any Church’s website) so that you know that they’re expecting you - and perhaps there will even be greeters ready to give you an individual tour when you arrive. This can really make the process a lot more comfortable, however it is not a necessity, and there is no reason why one “has to” do this, nor anything against simply showing up for services one morning!
That’s what I did, my interest in Orthodoxy grew in /cg/ threads on this board, and I found out that there’s a church not too far from my home, so I arrived knowing very little of the Church itself nor actual Christianity, having only read part of the book of Matthew (first book of the New Testament in the Bible) at the time and having prayed for guidance, and repentance from my old life, and for things to go well during this visit, but I was still plenty nervous!
this has nothing to do with politics or current events. fuck off you stupid moron that believes in lies
Luis Price
Like most any Church, there were greeters opening the doors who welcomed me inside - and this is important - one can always expect there to be someone there to help guide you when you first arrive! I got there about 15-20 minutes before the start of the service (this is recommended if possible, but not a big deal if you don’t or can’t), so I even got to meet the priest and they showed me around a little. One side note, do not expect much time with the Priest during this timeframe, he will be running around doing many different things so the service can begin - so if you only get to meet him for long enough to make a quick introduction - or perhaps even not at all - don’t worry! You’re not being “pushed away” or whatever, its simply a matter of circumstance, and in my case he promised to catch up with me afterwards and answer any questions that I had.
I will say that folks were very nice. There was incense and no pews (benches) as this church performs a standing service - both of these things I found different, but not intimidating. Really the only thing to know is DON’T GO UP FOR COMMUNION or “The Eucharist” as they call it, this is reserved for formal members (folks who’ve been Baptized or Chrismated (aka “Confirmed” into the Church, aka completely and officially Converted), but other than that, theres really no pressure on you.
Folks will cross themselves a lot and venerate icons, but no one is counting on you to do this, nor will they hold it against you if you don’t, as you’re new, and for now only an inquirer, of course. If you want to join them, all the better, do as much as you’re comfortable with (besides taking communion at this point, as we just discussed), but remember, today is your first visit - and there’s no pressure!
Don’t expect much interaction with folks during the service - we’re here to Worship our King at this point, but fellowship afterwards (often referred to as the “coffee hour”) is a great place to hang out, eat, and talk after the service! One thing to know is that no one helps themselves to the food and drink until the Priest has blessed the food and drink after the service, but as with most things in life, if you simply stay with the crowd, you’ll know when its time for the meal! I think I stayed for probably two hours after the end of the service on my first visit, haha.
Now, what might one expect for fellowship? Well, let me explain what I wouldn’t expect. Many people (myself once included) look at church-goers as a crowd who are perfect and have lived perfect lives, and that’s just not very realistic. We all try our best now, but my church is almost exclusively converts (only a small percentage of “Cradle Orthodox” who grew up in the faith), coming from a wide variety of backgrounds and beliefs. I remember my Priest discussing the types of things he’s helped people through over the years in getting their lives straightened out and joining the church, and theres some dark stuff that people have been lifted out of. We’re not discussing “I was rude to a cashier once when I was having a bad day”, we’re talking about folks who’ve engaged in witchcraft, blasphemy, etc. These sort of things, and this is only what he was willing to mention in passing. Its important to know that everything can and will be forgiven if one is to genuinely seek salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ, and remember, that no one here is “better than you” or whatever, in fact many of us have likely done and been through the same, or worse things in our prior lives. We all had our first visit to Church too, and I will say that mine was a very apprehensive experience for me, but I’m glad that I did it.
“Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance”
-Matthew 9, 10-13
Everyone I talked to was extremely welcoming, and warm, and kind. They shared stories of their past, and answered any questions that I had, and discussed anything that I wanted. I never felt that I was being looked down upon or judged, they knew that I was here trying to get things sorted out in my life, and they couldn’t have been nicer to me because of, or in spite of, it. Again, most of them were once in the same, exact place.
So, that was my first visit! One thing that I would consider if I were making my first visit again, is to try and arrange a meeting with the Priest at a later date. As we discussed earlier, he will be very busy before the service and often surrounded by the congregation and occupied with them after it, so I wouldn’t count on talking with him much on this day, but if you’re comfortable with the idea, you might leave your contact information with one of the greeters (many churches even have a card you can fill out with your phone number, email address, or whatever you want, and they’ll reach out to you) to try and arrange this meeting. There, you’ll have a dedicated time to ask anything you would like to, to learn about anything that you wish, to talk about any concerns you might have, or to discuss whatever situation or life experience(s) or problem(s) that you’re trying to move past. Remember, the Church exists to connect people to God and as a means to bring us all closer to Him, and in a way its literally this man’s job (that he does for God) to help you on your journey. So, with that being said, don’t feel that he won’t care about you because you’re not yet a member, or anything along those lines.
But if you’re not comfortable with this, that’s okay too, its still only your first visit, and theres no requirement that you open up or put yourself out there, or interact with anyone, any more than you want to. Simply coming to the service is a huge step, and the main thing is to simply take in as much as you can, and go from there!
I hope this will help you through your first visit! I later ended up officially joining this church (being “Chrismated), after repenting of my sins, being reborn in Christ, turning my life around and looking back now, I have no regrets, beyond waiting as long as I did.
Hello user, welcome to the thread. I would disagree that Christianity has "nothing to do with politics" as it was a driving force in all aspects of life through the west's golden years. Since you refer to me/us as a "stupid moron that believes in lies" I'm inclined to believe you've not found a relationship with the Lord as of yet. Would you like to discuss this? We're here to help you...
Tell me about how priests can get away with abuse in churches, and how they can be protected by authorities. Tell me why christians around them "turn the other cheek" to them. Tell me how such evil can set root in churches and reach high places within churches, as the Vatican for example (Although I know about priest molesting kids also in other denominations)
Owen Carter
>We're here to help you... that ellipsis says it all, you're not here to help but to confuse. I don't want your help as I shirked my chains of Roman Catholic subjugation a long time ago and don't need new ones. Plus, why did you not learn that the story of Jesus Christ was fabricated, all of it. Since the 70's the Dead Sea Scrolls were unearthed and chronicled the destruction of the Roman army in order to push the prophesy of Josephus that the Flavian's would be rulers of the world. Guess he was right about that one considering the Black Nobility and Jesuits are direct descendants of the Flavian family
Sebastian Lee
Fallen nature of man
Oliver Ramirez
Hello user! Its an unfortunate situation but not one that I know much of as I'm not catholic. However, the Church, while it is an institution for God it is filled with men who are exist in a fallen world and are corruptable like the rest of us. But I do hope they get things straightened out. Its far from a perfect world, that we live in.
No, I'm an advocate of and believer in the gospel and I'm genuinly here to help anyone I can to find God. Would you like to talk about some of your experiences?
Landon Foster
Do you think the policy of "turning the other cheek" has given leeway to evil?
Colton Hernandez
In what regard/cases?
Gabriel Hall
Well in particular I would think about psychopaths, who are not able to respond to rehabilitation. It seems, sometimes, harder means than turning the other cheek is needed to deal with persons and their acts of evil. So I struggle to bridge the concepts of mercy, forgiveness and turning the other cheek with the concept of fighting evil. Perhaps you can help me understand how these two are bridged in human relations.
Also the metaphysical purpose of psychopaths escapes me. Do they have souls?
Brody Green
> Be Igantius of Antioch > An apostle of the twelve apostles under Jesus after the big J's death. > Live in a time when the early church was going into it's first schisms. > Before getting sent to the lions for preaching the faith, you send out a group of letters discussing the unification of the true church back to it's healthy state. > Identify the true church with the word "Catholic." What did he mean by this?
P.S. OP your baptisms are fake, and if you continue with this false church, there is no saving for you. The Doors of Mother Church (Catholicsm) is always ready to recieve you. Come home.
Grayson James
>Puts the male G-spot in the ass >makes sodomy forbidden What did god mean by this
>(shortly after describing the apocalypse and “the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory”) Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. >Mark 13:30 Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God. >Luke 9:27 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, >Ephesians 6:5 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not demand it back. >Luke 6:30 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone Respect what is right in the sight of all men. >Romans 12:17 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. >Luke 6:35
"How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!" >Psalm 133:1 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law(Old Testament) or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." >Matthew 5:17 That's your favourite Jew Jesus talking. "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment." >1 Corinthians 1:10 "Live in (((harmony))) with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight." >Romans 12:16 "For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit." >Corinthians 12:13 OY VEY We all have one body goy. Blacks and whites are equal in the eyes of God. Why don't you want them to flood your country Christcuck? "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” >John 13:35 Love each other Goy you are all children of God. Why do you have a problem with Niggers fucking white women goy?
Keep crying Christcuck. Whites are not buying your shit anymore
Ah, okay! This is talked about some in the image attached in this post which I hope will help you, I know it really benefited me.
Regarding whether psycopaths have souls - yes, I believe they do, as all men are created in God's image. Its explained in the book "The Orthodox Way" by Kallistos Ware, that we can think of this like a mirror inside of us which reflects this divine light by which life is breathed into us... The mirror for some people is crusted over, it is dusty and forgotten about, but it is still there, and it still reflects even a small amount of this light. The metropolitan put it much more eloquently that I could, in his account.
What are your thoughts on reincarnation? Regressive hypnosis and childhood memories usually upwards to age 6-7 seem to indicate that people can live multiple lives, or carry memories from themselves living other lives. Are these accounted for as demonic deception infiltrating these children or is there room for believing in reincarnation of humans on earth within the christian faith?
Robert Hernandez
user, Catholic in this sense is a synonym for "Universal", which we are. Its right in the creed...
>gives you genitalia >expects you not to place your member in every living being around you, has expectations that you can follow "just because you can, doesn't mean you should"
What did God mean by this
Hello user! I see beyond your various insults and collection of verses that you seem to be having some trouble in your understandings. Perhaps pic related will help. You seem to presume us to be in assossiation with the Talmudists (modern jews), please watch this video, it spells things out very well. Normally I'm not a fan of Steven Anderson, but he actually did his homework here and the video is extremely well done:
>quotes scripture he doesn't understand >makes it say things it doesn't
Jesus fulfilling the law and prophets means that the law no longer apply to us as a means of justification.
Being one in Christ is NOT the same as having one race of people. God specifically broke the races apart in Genesis. The story of Babel illustrates God's displeasure at race mixing and trying to become one people. The sons of Ham can be Christians in Africa as well as they can be Christians in America. All one in Christ, on separate continents. God specifically said not to mix types of anything. Kike push this anti-Biblical nonsense because they actually hate God. They hate God because He disowned them and gave the kingdom of Heaven to the sons of Japeth, the Gentiles.
Nolan Taylor
>Roman Catholic
That says it all right there.
whew lad.
Robert Turner
You’re just on every thread that even remotely mentions religion
