Seekingthetruth
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Elder Philotheos Zervakos
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« on: July 18, 2007, 04:54:13 PM » |
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Hello, Until recently, I had been interested in converting to traditional Catholicism from protestantism. This all changed when I attended a Divine Liturgy at an out of state Antiochian Orthodox Church. I have been doing some research and have come to the conclusion that I need to look further into the the claims of the Eastern Church. While continuing my quest for knowledge, I would like to continue to attend the Divine Liturgy. I have some choices and I would appreciate it if you guy could help me out. I would like to attend a church that is as similar to the Antiochian Church I visited. Here are my choices, 1. Greek Orthodox Cathedral (GOARCH), 2. Serbian Orthodox, 3. 3 OCA Churches. Sadly, the nearest Antiochian Church is 55 miles away!  I've been to the Greek Church before (although I haven't attended the Liturgy there) and it is stunning! Thanks!  |
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"The Orthodox Church is evangelical, but not Protestant. It is orthodox, but not Jewish. It is catholic, but not Roman. It isn't non-denominational - it is pre-denominational. It has believed, taught, preserved, defended and died for the Faith of the Apostles since the Day of Pentecost."
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Αριστοκλής
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« Reply #1 on: July 18, 2007, 04:59:10 PM » |
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If convenient, visit them all.
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"Religion is a neurobiological illness and Orthodoxy is its cure." - Fr. John S. Romanides
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Seekingthetruth
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Elder Philotheos Zervakos
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« Reply #2 on: July 18, 2007, 05:03:45 PM » |
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I was planning to do just that. I'm just trying to figure out where to start!  |
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"The Orthodox Church is evangelical, but not Protestant. It is orthodox, but not Jewish. It is catholic, but not Roman. It isn't non-denominational - it is pre-denominational. It has believed, taught, preserved, defended and died for the Faith of the Apostles since the Day of Pentecost."
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Αριστοκλής
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« Reply #3 on: July 18, 2007, 05:10:03 PM » |
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You're not alone.
Newly relocated to Pittsburgh, my wife and I are on a rotating circuit of 6 equidistant parishes.
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"Religion is a neurobiological illness and Orthodoxy is its cure." - Fr. John S. Romanides
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pensateomnia
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« Reply #4 on: July 18, 2007, 05:34:57 PM » |
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It's really quite impossible to say which parish would be best for you without more information. All parishes are unique and some have been given greater spiritual gifts, better or worse lay and ordained leadership on the local level, larger or smaller financial resources for ministry. Very little, if anything, can be determined simply on the basis of a parish's jurisdictional affiliation, especially in certain areas of the country. Could you perhaps share the names and locations of these parishes, and, perhaps, their respective Web sites?
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But for I am a man not textueel I wol noght telle of textes neuer a deel. (Chaucer, The Manciple's Tale, 1.131)
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Seekingthetruth
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Elder Philotheos Zervakos
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« Reply #5 on: July 18, 2007, 05:50:28 PM » |
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"The Orthodox Church is evangelical, but not Protestant. It is orthodox, but not Jewish. It is catholic, but not Roman. It isn't non-denominational - it is pre-denominational. It has believed, taught, preserved, defended and died for the Faith of the Apostles since the Day of Pentecost."
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pensateomnia
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« Reply #6 on: July 18, 2007, 09:29:48 PM » |
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Looks like you have some excellent options.
Regardless of where you end up, I highly recommend getting to know Fr. Joseph DiStefano, the associate pastor at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral. I know him from seminary. A great pastor with an excellent background in outreach, missions and evangelism, with an equally committed wife.
(By the way, welcome to OC.net!)
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But for I am a man not textueel I wol noght telle of textes neuer a deel. (Chaucer, The Manciple's Tale, 1.131)
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Starlight
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« Reply #7 on: July 18, 2007, 09:38:59 PM » |
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Welcome to OC.net! You will enjoy here.
Yes, I would recommend to visit more parishes. I tried that in different areas, where I lived. Normally, experience of any new parish enhances.
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sohma_hatori
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The Blind Bandit
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« Reply #8 on: July 27, 2007, 09:21:06 PM » |
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Hello, Until recently, I had been interested in converting to traditional Catholicism from protestantism. This all changed when I attended a Divine Liturgy at an out of state Antiochian Orthodox Church. I have been doing some research and have come to the conclusion that I need to look further into the the claims of the Eastern Church. While continuing my quest for knowledge, I would like to continue to attend the Divine Liturgy. I have some choices and I would appreciate it if you guy could help me out. I would like to attend a church that is as similar to the Antiochian Church I visited. Here are my choices, 1. Greek Orthodox Cathedral (GOARCH), 2. Serbian Orthodox, 3. 3 OCA Churches. Sadly, the nearest Antiochian Church is 55 miles away! I've been to the Greek Church before (although I haven't attended the Liturgy there) and it is stunning! Thanks! Your lucky you have options in which parish to visit. I, a Catholic wishing to convert to Orthodoxy cant even find a suitable Parish to seek Help.. There is only one Parish in the Philippines, the Cathedral of the Annunciaion, a Greek one. its in the Capital, and my place is way far far away from the capital So why not attend all of the Parishes you wish to attend to? Go to each one, and I believe you'll find Enlightenment in every one. God bless you... |
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""Pride is not the opposite of shame, but it's source. True humility is the only antidote to shame.""
— Iroh- Avatar:The Last Airbender
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Aristibule
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Xeno
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« Reply #9 on: July 28, 2007, 11:45:56 AM » |
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I'm impressed with the Serbian website - it is in English! It also looks as if the clergy are monastics. Serbia has that cultural thing of being 'East and West' according to their own history.
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"We must begin at once to "build again the tabernacle which is fallen down, and to build again the ruins thereof, and to set it up;" for HE WHO GAVE THE THOUGHT IN OUR HEART HE LAID ALSO THE RESPONSIBILITY ON US THAT THIS THOUGHT SHOULD NOT REMAIN BARREN." - J.J. Overbeck, 1866
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