Topic: Greek or Antiochian Church

[NMHS]

I might have the opportunity to attend either a vespers service or a DL in city that has a Greek and Antiochian OC.   They are also across the street from each other.  I am very interested in the OC but wife is not, she is head strong RC.  What would you recommend?  Thanks, Caleb

[Orthodox11]

I might have the opportunity to attend either a vespers service or a DL in city that has a Greek and Antiochian OC.   They are also across the street from each other.  I am very interested in the OC but wife is not, she is head strong RC.  What would you recommend?  Thanks, Caleb

An Antiochian parish is more likely to use English. Both Greek and Antiochian churches in the States often do not use Byzantine chant during the Divine Liturgy, but I think Byzantine chant is the norm for Vespers and Matins. Otherwise it's pretty much the same thing.

[deusveritasest]

An Antiochian parish is more likely to use English.

QFT

[Orthodox11]

QFT

Quantum Field Theory?...

[deusveritasest]

"Quoted for truth"

[NMHS]

Thanks, for the info.  I personally wouldn't mind attending either one, but this will be my wifes first experience with the Orthodox Church and I think the Antiochian Church might have a lot of culture to it since it was founded in the 40s by orthodox christians of Arabic descent.  This isn't bad by any means, I was just wondering what might be easier for my wife to observe? My wife comes from the a strong hispanic background of the RCC.  Maybe I will email the priest and ask him. 

[Super Apostolic Bros.]

I think the Antiochian Church might have a lot of culture to it since it was founded in the 40s by orthodox christians of Arabic descent. 

Not to nitpick, but the Church of Antioch was founded by Peter in the book of Acts

(Unless you're referring to the Antiochian Archdiocese of NA.)

[Iconodule]

Thanks, for the info.  I personally wouldn't mind attending either one, but this will be my wifes first experience with the Orthodox Church and I think the Antiochian Church might have a lot of culture to it since it was founded in the 40s by orthodox christians of Arabic descent. 

It really depends on what sort of Antiochian parish you're going to. Yes, the jurisdiction was founded by Arabs but many parishes today are made up of a decent percentage of converts. There are 5 Antiochian parishes in my area and 3 of them are mostly non-Arab converts with non-Arab priests. I'm not sure what you mean by "culture"- everyone has culture. I assume you mean some ethnically specific culture, in which case, Greek parishes tend to be very, very "cultural". You might want to check out the Antiochian parish first.

[ialmisry]

Thanks, for the info.  I personally wouldn't mind attending either one, but this will be my wifes first experience with the Orthodox Church and I think the Antiochian Church might have a lot of culture to it since it was founded in the 40s by orthodox christians of Arabic descent.  This isn't bad by any means, I was just wondering what might be easier for my wife to observe? My wife comes from the a strong hispanic background of the RCC.  Maybe I will email the priest and ask him. 

If it is founded in the 40s, chances are that it is Americanized and English, except maybe in Detroit. Where are you?

[SDMPNS]

If I were you I'd choose the Antiochian parish,,,,the Greek parish will probably be an ethnic club and you will hear more about Greece than Christ...the Antiochians have their problems especially with the Bishops or more specifically Met.Phillip but they do welcome converts and you wont have to invent a greek relative just to make sure people will speak to you......

[arnI]

If I were you I'd choose the Antiochian parish,,,,the Greek parish will probably be an ethnic club and you will hear more about Greece than Christ...the Antiochians have their problems especially with the Bishops or more specifically Met.Phillip but they do welcome converts and you wont have to invent a greek relative just to make sure people will speak to you......

Doesn't sound like the Greek Orthodox Church that I attend.

[ialmisry]

If I were you I'd choose the Antiochian parish,,,,the Greek parish will probably be an ethnic club and you will hear more about Greece than Christ...the Antiochians have their problems especially with the Bishops or more specifically Met.Phillip but they do welcome converts and you wont have to invent a greek relative just to make sure people will speak to you......

Doesn't sound like the Greek Orthodox Church that I attend.

reminds me of a few I've been to...

[NMHS]

Since I have never been to either one of these churches I am not partial by any means, and the culture does not bother me one bit.  Like I mentioned before I wouldn't mind attending both of them but that is not feasible so I have to choose between them.  I was just wondering which one might more beneficial for my wife that knows nothing about the Orthodox Church.  One more thing these churches are in El Paso, TX. Thanks, for all the info so far.  Caleb

[ialmisry]

I might have the opportunity to attend either a vespers service or a DL in city that has a Greek and Antiochian OC.   They are also across the street from each other.  I am very interested in the OC but wife is not, she is head strong RC.  What would you recommend?  Thanks, Caleb

If you are ever out in Eastern Texas, you might check out the Western Rite Orthodox for your head strong RC.

[Fr. George]

If I were you I'd choose the Antiochian parish,,,,the Greek parish will probably be an ethnic club and you will hear more about Greece than Christ...the Antiochians have their problems especially with the Bishops or more specifically Met.Phillip but they do welcome converts and you wont have to invent a greek relative just to make sure people will speak to you......

Doesn't sound like the Greek Orthodox Church that I attend.

reminds me of a few I've been to...

You Chicagoans get a different experience of the GOA than most do, except maybe in NYC and Boston.

If I were you I'd choose the Antiochian parish,,,,the Greek parish will probably be an ethnic club and you will hear more about Greece than Christ...the Antiochians have their problems especially with the Bishops or more specifically Met.Phillip but they do welcome converts and you wont have to invent a greek relative just to make sure people will speak to you......

Doesn't sound like
(a) the parish I'm assigned to now,
(b) the parish I grew up in,
(c) the parish I was assigned to in New England...

I know some GOA parishes aren't particularly welcoming, but don't throw out the whole crop for 1 bad plant.

[Fr. George]

One more thing these churches are in El Paso, TX. Thanks, for all the info so far.  Caleb 

St. Nicholas GOA (describes itself as "multi-ethnic") http://www.stnicholas.tx.goarch.org/page1.html
St. George AOA looks like a beautiful edifice.  I can't get a good look at St. Nicholas (either on their site, or on Google Maps).

IMO, you'll be fine in either place.  They both seem to be getting non-original-ethnic-types (many of whom were not Orthodox when they were children), so that itself should be welcoming also (in addition to whatever factors brought those people to Orthodoxy).

[Alveus Lacuna]

Doesn't sound like the Greek Orthodox Church that I attend.

Welcome to the forum!

[NMHS]

Well, God willing I will be able to attend my first OC service this Sunday at the Antiochian Church.  I sure hope it works out.  Thanks, Caleb

[HandmaidenofGod]

If I were you I'd choose the Antiochian parish,,,,the Greek parish will probably be an ethnic club and you will hear more about Greece than Christ...the Antiochians have their problems especially with the Bishops or more specifically Met.Phillip but they do welcome converts and you wont have to invent a greek relative just to make sure people will speak to you......

Doesn't sound like the Greek Orthodox Church that I attend.

Nor the one I belonged to in Atlanta. In fact the GOA Cathedral in Atlanta is probably one of the most spiritually vibrant and Christ centered parishes I've ever belonged to.

While the parish had it's fair share of Greek cultural activities (Greek school, Hellenic dance, etc.) it also had an entire host of spiritual activities to balance it. The Sunday School curriculum was Christ centered and strong, there were plenty of educational opportunities for Adults to learn about the faith, Bible studies were prevelant as well as multiple services to attend during the week.

So while there may be parish's out there that are "ethnic ghettos," I would not paint the entire GOA with such a broad brush. As the old saying goes, "one bad apple doesn't spoil the whole bunch."

[katherineofdixie]

I know the Greeks often get the rap for being unwelcoming and all, and I'm sure that some people have experienced this. However, I have never experienced this kind of treatment in any Orthodox Church - Greek, Russian, Antiochian, Serbian or whatever. As a matter of fact, the first Divine Liturgy I attended was at a small Greek Orthodox parish, and it was painfully obvious that I was some sort of non-Greek Protestant infiltrator. They couldn't have been warmer or more welcoming. Most of the service was in English, we were invited to stay for Sunday School and coffee hour, people stayed afterward for hours to answer my questions, we were invited to come to a Wednesday night Bible study. They seemed genuinely interested and thrilled to have inquiring visitors.

[Cymbyz]

There is also a difference (at least, among the Greeks) in mindset.  Generally, parishes in the eastern U.S. are more "ethnic" than parishes in the western U.S.

When I decided to turn East, I had two choices:  a small Antiochian parish, and a large Greek one, buth in the same city.  I tried the large Greek one and never looked back.  It's cosmopolitan, more than half the membership is non-Greek (a smattering of MIddle Eastern and East European families, and a plethora of converts), and, with the exception of a few stock liturgical phrases in Greek and other languages of Orthodox countries, worship is entirely in English.  I was always welcome there, and they reacily recognized my singing skills; I served as a cantor till my hearing and sense of tonality failed me.

[recent convert]

If you can, attend both and decide from there (just my 2c, & not to counter other advice given).

[Al Lipscomb]

Given the chance, I would suggest attending services at both. 

[NMHS]

Given the chance, I would suggest attending services at both. 

If you can, attend both and decide from there (just my 2c, & not to counter other advice given).

I wish I could but both churches are about a 3 hour drive and its just not feasible.  I will attend one and then try another a little time down the road. Caleb

[NMHS]

Well I am still undecided, I have corresponded through email with both churches and I have recieved more cordial responses from the Greek OC, but I know that does not mean much.  Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.  I am guessing I should pick one.........................

[stanley123]

I might have the opportunity to attend either a vespers service or a DL in city that has a Greek and Antiochian OC.   They are also across the street from each other.  I am very interested in the OC but wife is not, she is head strong RC.  What would you recommend?  Thanks, Caleb

I personally would recommend the Greek Orthodox Church, if both you and your wife are Catholics. I found the people very friendly and cordial at the various Greek Orthodox Churches that I have attended. I am sorry to say that this was definitely not true for the local Antioch Church where the priest flatly yelled at me as being a heretic. 

[Thomas]

I personally would recommend the Greek Orthodox Church, if both you and your wife are Catholics. I found the people very friendly and cordial at the various Greek Orthodox Churches that I have attended. I am sorry to say that this was definitely not true for the local Antioch Church where the priest flatly yelled at me as being a heretic. 
[/quote]

Dear to Christ, Stanley 123,

As an Antiochian Orthodox Christian please accept my own apology that an Antiochian priest would treat you in such a manner. I would recommend that you let the bishop[ of his diocese know of his treatment of you so it may be remedied in an appropriate manner. My local Antiochian Pastor would never have done that and I am personally shocked that you were treated in that manner.

Thomas

[stanley123]

I personally would recommend the Greek Orthodox Church, if both you and your wife are Catholics. I found the people very friendly and cordial at the various Greek Orthodox Churches that I have attended. I am sorry to say that this was definitely not true for the local Antioch Church where the priest flatly yelled at me as being a heretic. 

Dear to Christ, Stanley 123,

As an Antiochian Orthodox Christian please accept my own apology that an Antiochian priest would treat you in such a manner. I would recommend that you let the bishop[ of his diocese know of his treatment of you so it may be remedied in an appropriate manner. My local Antiochian Pastor would never have done that and I am personally shocked that you were treated in that manner.

Thomas

OK. Thank you kindly for this.
I was only at this one Antioch Chuirch, so maybe it was not the typical situation, or maybe someone was having a bad day.

[recent convert]

I might have the opportunity to attend either a vespers service or a DL in city that has a Greek and Antiochian OC.   They are also across the street from each other.  I am very interested in the OC but wife is not, she is head strong RC.  What would you recommend?  Thanks, Caleb

I personally would recommend the Greek Orthodox Church, if both you and your wife are Catholics. I found the people very friendly and cordial at the various Greek Orthodox Churches that I have attended. I am sorry to say that this was definitely not true for the local Antioch Church where the priest flatly yelled at me as being a heretic. 

Yes, this is most unfortuante. Our parish priest was originally a Catholic priest of Rome and every once in a while when recalling his formation there, it is always positively. When stating differences in theology between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches his tone is always firm but never disparaging. In our area, Scranton, Pa. (USA) RC diocese priests and Orthodox priests have an annual luncheon aimed at reproachment, of course nothing changes but good will is experienced.

[NMHS]

Well, I decided to go to the Greek OC.  It was a small parish, there was probably seating for 80 people but there was only about 15 people there.  The priest was nice, and the DL was great to experience.  The parrishoners though were not overly welcoming.  I thought that most OC welcomed children?  Our child was by no means disruptive but just slighty excitable (as you would expect from any 15 month old).  My wife ended up leaving in the middle of the DL because of a couple unhappy looks from a couple parrishoners.  My wife wasn't to excited to be there anyway so with the events that took place and the unwelcome atmosphere I decided not to go to coffee hour.  Its to bad that this was the atmosphere, but it happens.

Oh well.  I will  try the Ukranian OC mission before to long.  I have been conversing with that priest for awhile now and I know that this mission has a lot of converts. One thing that I did notice about the this OC was that many people showed up late and left early.   They seemed to come and go as they pleased.  Overall I was glad that I was able to go, but I would more than likely never go back. 

caleb

[augustin717]

This whole thing about a "welcoming atmosphere" is incomprehensible tome. From your description I don't see anything hostile in that particular church. Orthodox folks will never be as "welcoming" as the Evangelicals, if that's what one expects. They just don't behave that way-holding hands etc.
I would say keep going and you'll get to know the people better, and you'll probably realize that your initial perception wasn't totally accurate.
For the record, i'd been attending on and off, an American  orthodox church for years-about four, before anybody said anything more than "hi" to me. And that was an American who spoke my language. What should have I made out of the experience? I didn't fall into the social group hey were trying to reach. probably. Yet, I've kept attending to the present day.

[Heorhij]

If I were you I'd choose the Antiochian parish,,,,the Greek parish will probably be an ethnic club and you will hear more about Greece than Christ...the Antiochians have their problems especially with the Bishops or more specifically Met.Phillip but they do welcome converts and you wont have to invent a greek relative just to make sure people will speak to you......

Doesn't sound like the Greek Orthodox Church that I attend.

I can say the same as ArnI. My parish is a GOA parish, but some parishioners, including my wife and myself, are not ethnic Greeks. The priest is also not an ethnic Greek, even though he is absolutely fluent in the Greek language (graduated from the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox seminary). We aren't an ethnic club at all.

[Alveus Lacuna]

This whole thing about a "welcoming atmosphere" is incomprehensible to me.

When Americans go to a church, they are shopping.

[augustin717]

Then, perhaps, expectations should also chance.
Although becoming friendlier wouldn't hurt anybody, either.

[NMHS]

The OC was by no means hostile and I did not expect a Evangelical welcoming party for us either.  I may be totally wrong in my assumption but I beleive you can tell when there is tension in a room, and it did appear there was tension in the room because of our child.  I hold no grudges, nothing against this church.  I have a high respect for the Orthodox Church no matter what jurisdiction.  My original post may have sounded like I was being harsh against this Church but that was not the case.

I had the opportunity to attend either one of these churches and in my original post I was asking for guidance in which one I should attend.  I have responded with my experience.  Which is my only experience so far, but I hope there are more.  More than likely I will not go here again because it is a 3 hour drive and the Ukranian OC mission is only 2 hours, this is my reason for making that statement.  May I kindly remind you that not all Americans are the same. By the way I was not church shopping..................... Caleb

[katherineofdixie]

The parrishoners though were not overly welcoming.  I thought that most OC welcomed children?  Our child was by no means disruptive but just slighty excitable (as you would expect from any 15 month old).  My wife ended up leaving in the middle of the DL because of a couple unhappy looks from a couple parrishoners. 

Of course, I wasn't there, so take this with a large pillar of salt, but this doesn't sound unwelcoming at all. A couple of unhappy looks from parishioners about an excitable small child? That's it?
It seems to be quite common practice to take children out when they become a little disruptive. And some people are more or less bothered by small children and the noise they make.
Nothing out of the ordinary, and not a horrible unwelcoming experience at all, it seems to me. Of course, as I said, I wasn't there.

[stanley123]

This whole thing about a "welcoming atmosphere" is incomprehensible tome. From your description I don't see anything hostile in that particular church. Orthodox folks will never be as "welcoming" as the Evangelicals, if that's what one expects.

As a Roman visiting an Orthodox Church, I would disagree. It really is a nice touch, when the priest says he is glad you have visited his Church. And after the liturgy, in the hall, when people in the congregation take time to talk with you and to offer to explain to you the various icons in the Church, knowing that you are a Roman, it just leaves a good impression of Greek Orthodoxy and the Greek Orthodox people.

[NMHS]

The parrishoners though were not overly welcoming.  I thought that most OC welcomed children?  Our child was by no means disruptive but just slighty excitable (as you would expect from any 15 month old).  My wife ended up leaving in the middle of the DL because of a couple unhappy looks from a couple parrishoners. 

Of course, I wasn't there, so take this with a large pillar of salt, but this doesn't sound unwelcoming at all. A couple of unhappy looks from parishioners about an excitable small child? That's it?
It seems to be quite common practice to take children out when they become a little disruptive. And some people are more or less bothered by small children and the noise they make.
Nothing out of the ordinary, and not a horrible unwelcoming experience at all, it seems to me. Of course, as I said, I wasn't there.

This was my first experience at a OC DL so maybe this was just the way it is, or maybe not, either way it does not matter and I am not soured.  What does matter is that I enjoyed being there during the DL. My longtime prayers were answered in that I was able to make it to a DL.  One question though.  Is it common for parrishoners to come in late or leave when they desire? 

[Cymbyz]

Unfortunately, yes.  There are sermons from the first century decrying this very thing, so it's been with us a long time.

[HandmaidenofGod]

My only suggestion is next time GO TO COFFEE HOUR.

That is when you get to know people and REALLY get the pulse on the parish.

Glad you went, and I look forward to hearing your impressions of the Ukrainian parish.

[Schultz]

The parrishoners though were not overly welcoming.  I thought that most OC welcomed children?  Our child was by no means disruptive but just slighty excitable (as you would expect from any 15 month old).  My wife ended up leaving in the middle of the DL because of a couple unhappy looks from a couple parrishoners. 

Of course, I wasn't there, so take this with a large pillar of salt, but this doesn't sound unwelcoming at all. A couple of unhappy looks from parishioners about an excitable small child? That's it?
It seems to be quite common practice to take children out when they become a little disruptive. And some people are more or less bothered by small children and the noise they make.
Nothing out of the ordinary, and not a horrible unwelcoming experience at all, it seems to me. Of course, as I said, I wasn't there.

This was my first experience at a OC DL so maybe this was just the way it is, or maybe not, either way it does not matter and I am not soured.  What does matter is that I enjoyed being there during the DL. My longtime prayers were answered in that I was able to make it to a DL.  One question though.  Is it common for parrishoners to come in late or leave when they desire? 

Short answer: yes.  

Long answer: yes and I have heard every Orthodox priest that celebrated a DL that I've attended for any length of time preach on how this is a sin.

This habit is one of the reasons my wife has a big problem with going to Liturgy with me.  At my home parish it's not so much of an issue (it happens, but the late-comers always stay in the back) but it has soured her on attending the OCA cathedral in DC, for one.  I grew up (Roman Catholic) in a family that was never late for church (even with five kids) and we always stayed until the last hymn was finished.  It truly boggles my mind when people are always coming in late at the same time week in and week out and even moreso when they blame their kids for their tardiness.  I'm not referring to a family that may be late here and there or even at different times across the span of a month, but the people who always come in after the Great Entrance or (worse yet) after the Epiclesis.  I know this is one of those things that I should avoid noticing or even commenting on, but it's hard not to notice it happening.

Again, I'm referring to habitual tardiness and not simply hitting unexpected traffic or having an unexpected "infant accident" just before leaving the house.  

[LBK]

Greek time. Russian time. Ukrainian time. Whatever time. That's the answer.

[SolEX01]

In 2003, I showed up at a GOA Church in Richmond, VA during Communion.     For some strange reason, I thought Church started at 10:30 AM ... not even close.

Recently, I attended a Divine Liturgy in Annapolis, MD which I thought started at 9:30 AM due to the presence of the Metropolis Dance Festival and I entered just as the Creed was being recited.     Turns out that the Liturgy started at 9:00 AM with the permission of the Metropolitan to facilitate the Dance Competition Finals.  I commented to the man behind the candle stand that next year's Liturgy would probably start at 8:00 AM just as in Greece.   

Moral of the story is while it is ideal to attend services as early as possible (weather permitting for those of us under 30" of snow); there are situations beyond one's control which makes it tolerable to attend Church late ... even embarrassingly late per the cited examples.

[augustin717]

Why should one be bothered about someone's being late for church? I don't notice it most of the times.
I'm only bothered and amused by laymen wearing long and obvious prayer-ropes.

[basilthefool]

It's water under the bridge at this time, but I would have suggested attending the Antiochian Vespers. This for the simple reason that Vespers is typically a simpler, shorter service (an hour or slightly less) and therefore would be less likely to overwhelm your wife. In addition, my experience is that people who attend Vespers tend to be more open in spirit and would possibly have been more welcoming to you both.

Just my two denarii..

[mike]

but the people who always come in after the Great Entrance or (worse yet) after the Epiclesis.

If people came after the Epiclesis at my Mission, they would stay in Church for 15 minutes, lol.

[John Larocque]

I've been to a couple of pre-Sancrified liturgies. The Antiochians here are nearly a carbon-copy of the Greeks, with one main difference. For those not of the tribe (Greek), you might be a bit lost there. The Antiochian service here uses the same chant tradition as the Greek, but the entire service is English with some Arabic Lord have mercy's sprinkled in. I'm not sure about the Sunday Divine Liturgy, but suspect it will be remarkably close to the Greek - I have been reliably told that the English quotient is even higher than it was a few yeas ago. The parish priest asked me if I had ever seen something like that before (pre-Sancrified) and was surprised, "yes, it's almost exactly the same as the Greek."

Lent is a liturgically rich season - Saturday Vespers, pre-sanctified. Check if your Antiochians have Compline Monday, that's only about an hour.

The pre-Sanctified service book reminds me of the young adult Choose Your Own adventure books. "If this is the third or fifth week of Lent, go to this page, if this is the second or fourth, go to this page." But you all wind up in the same place towards the end.

I was just starting to take a real liking to the Greek liturgy and hymnody and then the Antiochians came along ...

[ms.hoorah]

The parrishoners though were not overly welcoming.  I thought that most OC welcomed children?  Our child was by no means disruptive but just slighty excitable (as you would expect from any 15 month old).  My wife ended up leaving in the middle of the DL because of a couple unhappy looks from a couple parrishoners.  

Of course, I wasn't there, so take this with a large pillar of salt, but this doesn't sound unwelcoming at all. A couple of unhappy looks from parishioners about an excitable small child? That's it?
It seems to be quite common practice to take children out when they become a little disruptive. And some people are more or less bothered by small children and the noise they make.
Nothing out of the ordinary, and not a horrible unwelcoming experience at all, it seems to me. Of course, as I said, I wasn't there.

This was my first experience at a OC DL so maybe this was just the way it is, or maybe not, either way it does not matter and I am not soured.  What does matter is that I enjoyed being there during the DL. My longtime prayers were answered in that I was able to make it to a DL.  One question though.  Is it common for parrishoners to come in late or leave when they desire?  

Not in OCA churches and definitely not in ROCOR churches.  I am saddened that you didn't feel your child was extremely welcome.  Decades ago I was lovingly "scolded" by two different priests for taking my moderately fussy children out of Divine Liturgy.  They both told me that children make only holy noise.  Our church needs children and all parishioners should be very excited about seeing them.

[Carl Kraeff (Second Chance)]

Why should one be bothered about someone's being late for church? I don't notice it most of the times.
I'm only bothered and amused by laymen wearing long and obvious prayer-ropes.

Sorry, I cannot help myself. It is a bit strange that a person who is bothered and bemused by laymen (I am assuming readers) wearing long robes is not a bit bothered about someone's being late to church.

[recent convert]

I've been to a couple of pre-Sancrified liturgies. The Antiochians here are nearly a carbon-copy of the Greeks, with one main difference. For those not of the tribe (Greek), you might be a bit lost there. The Antiochian service here uses the same chant tradition as the Greek, but the entire service is English with some Arabic Lord have mercy's sprinkled in. I'm not sure about the Sunday Divine Liturgy, but suspect it will be remarkably close to the Greek - I have been reliably told that the English quotient is even higher than it was a few yeas ago. The parish priest asked me if I had ever seen something like that before (pre-Sancrified) and was surprised, "yes, it's almost exactly the same as the Greek."

Lent is a liturgically rich season - Saturday Vespers, pre-sanctified. Check if your Antiochians have Compline Monday, that's only about an hour.

The pre-Sanctified service book reminds me of the young adult Choose Your Own adventure books. "If this is the third or fifth week of Lent, go to this page, if this is the second or fourth, go to this page." But you all wind up in the same place towards the end.

I was just starting to take a real liking to the Greek liturgy and hymnody and then the Antiochians came along ...

Re the amount of liturgical Arabic & English in the Sunday liturgy: In our parish it can vary widely (& I presume it is similar in other parishes). Some weeks we sing the Trisagion, the hymn of the Cherubim,  the responses of the Anaphora etc. mostly in Arabic, while other weeks almost all in English, or approx. 1/2 of each other weeks. Of course, the creed, the Lord's prayer, confession before communion we always profess in English.

[HandmaidenofGod]

Why should one be bothered about someone's being late for church? I don't notice it most of the times.
I'm only bothered and amused by laymen wearing long and obvious prayer-ropes.

Sorry, I cannot help myself. It is a bit strange that a person who is bothered and bemused by laymen (I am assuming readers) wearing long robes is not a bit bothered about someone's being late to church.

If I may, I believe you mis-read him. He wrote prayer-ropes, not prayer robes.

[NMHS]

Not in OCA churches and definitely not in ROCOR churches.  I am saddened that you didn't feel your child was extremely welcome.  Decades ago I was lovingly "scolded" by two different priests for taking my moderately fussy children out of Divine Liturgy.  They both told me that children make only holy noise.  Our church needs children and all parishioners should be very excited about seeing them.

No need to be saddened, maybe it was just this particular day.  After more reflection I would attend that church again. 

[Christianus]

doesn't anyone here know Greek?

[Thomas]

Very few American Orthodox Converts read Koine Greek. Many Greek Orthodox do not read Koine Greek, the Liturgical Greek used in Services, except phoenetically. Many Russian know Church Slavonic by memory but can not tell you what the words mean. This is very similar to the Roman Catholics when Latin was used in the past did not know all the Latin words being used.

I am sure that some of the Clergy that respond to this board understand Greek, especially the Greek Orthodox Clergy who are required to know enough Greek to provide confession to Greek speakers. To converse with them in Greek, May I suggest our foreign language forums where the use of languages is allowed and supported by appropriate fonts and  native as well as educated speakers. As the primary language of this board is English, we ask that you do not use non-English languages on the other forums without a translation of the text included. Also please remember that many computer systems do not support foreign language alphabets like Greek, Russian, or Chinese---on these sysetms it will appear as gobbley-gook and be unreadable.

Thomas
Converts Issues Forum Moderator

[podkarpatska]

Very few American Orthodox Converts read Koine Greek. Many Greek Orthodox do not read Koine Greek, the Liturgical Greek used in Services, except phoenetically. Many Russian know Church Slavonic by memory but can not tell you what the words mean. This is very similar to the Roman Catholics when Latin was used in the past did not know all the Latin words being used.

I am sure that some of the Clergy that respond to this board understand Greek, especially the Greek Orthodox Clergy who are required to know enough Greek to provide confession to Greek speakers. To converse with them in Greek, May I suggest our foreign language forums where the use of languages is allowed and supported by appropriate fonts and  native as well as educated speakers. As the primary language of this board is English, we ask that you do not use non-English languages on the other forums without a translation of the text included. Also please remember that many computer systems do not support foreign language alphabets like Greek, Russian, or Chinese---on these sysetms it will appear as gobbley-gook and be unreadable.

Thomas
Converts Issues Forum Moderator

This reminds me of an anecdote from the early days of English Divine Liturgies in the late 60's or early 70's in our ACROD parish. One of the parishioners, middle-aged at the time, approached my father, the pastor, to complain about the trend. My father gently asked her if she wasn't able to follow the Liturgy and participate more fully now that it was in English. She glumly nodded but said, " I know 'Slavish' (a common misnomer for Slavonic) very well. My Baba (grandmother) taught it to me!" My father asked her to explain further. She went on, " Well, take that 'Svjatýj Bóže, svjatýj Kripkíj,svjatýj Bezsmértnyj, pomíluj nas.' (The Thrice Holy Hymn or Trisagion) That's about Jesus coming out of the crypt on Easter!" (i.e. 'Kripkij' ('Mighty One') being confused with the English noun 'crypt' by the woman.) So there you are, that's what you were dealing with at the time and unfortunately, what some priests and parishes still have to confront today. Fortunately my parish is well beyond that point today, but that's the way it was. We are now fully comfortable with  English with an occasional nod to the past with a bit of Slavonic from time to time. Certainly some Slavonic words are familiar to speakers of modern Slavic languages, but if you read the translated texts for say, Slovak or Ukrainian (available on line), you will see the problem. I suspect that is the same with modern Greek vis a vis Koine Greek.

[username!]

This whole thing about a "welcoming atmosphere" is incomprehensible to me.

When Americans go to a church, they are shopping.

You can see examples of this in this thread.

[NMHS]

This whole thing about a "welcoming atmosphere" is incomprehensible to me.

When Americans go to a church, they are shopping.

You can see examples of this in this thread.

In defense of some of the Americans church shopping, maybe they aren't really church shopping but its part of the intended path that Gods intends to use to bring them into Orthodoxy, and then there are those that are "Church Shopping"..................................

[username!]

This whole thing about a "welcoming atmosphere" is incomprehensible to me.

When Americans go to a church, they are shopping.

You can see examples of this in this thread.

In defense of some of the Americans church shopping, maybe they aren't really church shopping but its part of the intended path that Gods intends to use to bring them into Orthodoxy, and then there are those that are "Church Shopping"..................................

You can take a Honda and put Cadillac badges on it but it is still a Honda.  

Here is one thing we were taught as Catholics growing up.
You went to the parish in your town.  Period.  You couldn't go register at one across town or in the next town simply because you didn't like it.  You stayed in the parish you went to even if you didn't always agree with the priest.  Sure you could be registered at parish A but go to the other town and go to parish b BUT the bishop, chancellor, priest wouldn't let you join parish b.  This means at the end of the day you never could really be active on parish council or the other committees at parish b simply because you were registered nor allowed to be registered in parish b.
And guess what?  We lived with it.  And guess what?  Some of those Catholic parishes have more members, more community outreach to the needy and elderly and imprisoned then some entire Orthodox jurisdictions do!

If everyone went to the Orthodox church that was closest to them and didn't drive past 4 others (while wasting gas and seeking to satisfy their quest for self-indulgence to find a parish that fits their criteria) we'd actually have stronger parishes that could grow and carry out the mission of Christ.

The truth hurts.  Look an Orthodox Church is an Orthodox Church.  If it has problems stay and build it up and seek to change from within.  You can't imagine the fights I've seen at Orthodox Churches growing up.  I come from a mixed family of Greek/Roman Catholics and Orthodox.  But when the people at the Orthodox Church fight they leave for happier pastures.  Then there are a few left holding the bag trying to fight for what needs to be done to save the parish.  Then they get snuffed out and the parish is left with 20 members who see it as a place to hang out on Sunday mornings and fight over who's cousin is going to get the contract to pave parking lot while the church building is falling apart.

Hopefully with this new change we can work to make everything standard.  One church, one bishop per area, shared resources.  Just like the Catholics.  Just like the Orthodox Churches do in say, Greece or Romania or Russia.  
At best what has happened was from recently to 100 years ago many parishes left Greek Catholicism and founded Orthodox Churches up the street.  The only difference is now THEY have the power, they own the building, they hire and fire priests at will.  They treat him like an employee, a chaplain who they pay.  It is congregationalism.  So it becomes an Orthodox Church that hasn't fully moved into Orthodoxy, rather, it has moved in congregationalism.  Sorry, I live it, I've had to deal with it for the better part of my life.
It isn't like the parishes ever really cared about Orthodox doctrine, Orthodox praxis, or being Orthodox because they sought to destroy the bonds that took their ancestors into Greek Catholicism in the first place.  No, they squabbled over calenders and church property.  They wanted control.  Full control of EVERYTHING. From the priest down.  And they will and have switched jurisdictions to find a priest or bishop they could bully around.  
Wow, you're thinking, why am I so harsh?  Because many of those reading this are not from the North East or areas which have had Orthodox churches for maybe 100 years or so.  You never get to see what I am talking about.  You are from mission areas with fresh missions and a fresh perspective.

However what I see is more examples of congregationalism taking place, just without it being attached to one's ancestral ethnic identity.  
I can name plenty of newer Orthodox missions/churches that have gotten riled up, switched jurisdictions, set up rival missions next town over (taking 30 people splitting into two 15 groups of people trying to each support a priest and a mission). Over what? Power, who controls things, who owns the building.  I've heard countless examples of missions running themselves with visiting priests.  When they get a priest the people who felt they "ran" the mission leave and form new ones taking half the people with them.

What we need is to get rid of this mindset.  We need to have the parish council function as it is intended to function.  It should be a council that works with the priest and the hierarchy.  We need standard rules and so forth for proper function so each church can function as one being and breathe Christ.  For too long we have breathed "self, power, want, we own the church, the priest is our employee."  

And we should be hopeful that this new agreement among our hierarchy AND the mother churches brings us closer to that reality.  Those that are with us will stand with us and those that don't will be gone. Trouble parishes that tie up church resources and chew and spit out priests and put burden on everyone around them will be gone.  Prayerfully may our churches return to the business of being churches and not social clubs or seen as property of the due paying members.  I once had a parish council president tell me "I don't have time to come do that, I'm in 8 other social clubs including this one (the church)."
And really in the end we aren't pushing for anything new.  Rather we are pushing for a return to how it should be.  We we have in North America with all the jurisdictions and the current situation is new.  We are simply returning to the old.  And I for one can not wait until seekers, non-believers and other Christian communities and the public at large can see us all as ONE church.. not the Greek Church, not the Carpatho-Rusyn Church, not the Russian Church but as ONE.  And if you can get excited about that just think how us believers and members of the Body of Christ, the Orthodox Church will feel when we truly are all one and everything is shared among us and we bring ourselves back to a proper order.

So when I see people on the internet asking "oh what should I look for in a parish" I think "here we go."  
History repeats itself.  Many of our parishes are blocks apart.  Why? Because the people from Perechyn Ukraine couldn't go to church with those from L'viv so they built a church two blocks away.  
It's a different sort of congregationalism but it is the same.  It is trying to find a piece of paradise that fits a person's psyche.  However, Christianity isn't about ME, it is about the community.  No matter what the 700 club says, church isn't about feeling good and having Christ save you to give you a better job and a corvette.  Church is hard, from fasting, to penance to staying in a parish and working together no matter if you don't like Bortiansky but the church up the street sings Valaam.. you stay in your local Christian community and battle it out.  Christ is for all nations... and that includes all personalities and going to church that doesn't always sing music you like or doesn't have the best coffee hour.. and even if they pysanky at the church nearest to you and the other one 20 miles away feels more homey.. stay at the one close to you.  Build it up.  Bring it your talent, your prayer, your soul.  Because when we put others first we just may start to see the church in our area grow and flourish.  Because, remember what Christ said in Matthew 25.. and remember the apostles didn't have it easy, nor did the martyrs or those in former USSR.  Neither do the Greeks have it easy in Turkey.  The Serbs who died at the hands of oppression in Kosovo.  Nor did the Armenians have it easy as well.  The Orthodox in the Holy Land too.  
But I read on the internet "oh should I go to this church down the street or the one 30 miles away, they don't have pews and sing better"  Well, remember a lot of people died and are suffering to attempt to even practise their faith in this world, and self-interests of externals don't concern them.  They plant their flag as best as they can and live out the message in their own communities.

[NMHS]

This whole thing about a "welcoming atmosphere" is incomprehensible to me.

When Americans go to a church, they are shopping.

You can see examples of this in this thread.

In defense of some of the Americans church shopping, maybe they aren't really church shopping but its part of the intended path that Gods intends to use to bring them into Orthodoxy, and then there are those that are "Church Shopping"..................................

You can take a Honda and put Cadillac badges on it but it is still a Honda.  

Here is one thing we were taught as Catholics growing up.
You went to the parish in your town.  Period.  You couldn't go register at one across town or in the next town simply because you didn't like it.  You stayed in the parish you went to even if you didn't always agree with the priest.  Sure you could be registered at parish A but go to the other town and go to parish b BUT the bishop, chancellor, priest wouldn't let you join parish b.  This means at the end of the day you never could really be active on parish council or the other committees at parish b simply because you were registered nor allowed to be registered in parish b.
And guess what?  We lived with it.  And guess what?  Those Catholic Churches have more members, more community outreach to the needy and elderly and imprisoned then some entire Orthodox jurisdictions do!

If everyone went to the Orthodox church that was closest to them and didn't drive past 4 others (while wasting gas and seeking to satisfy their quest for self-indulgence to find a parish that fits their criteria) we'd actually have stronger parishes that could grow and carry out the mission of Christ.

The truth hurts.  Look an Orthodox Church is an Orthodox Church.  If it has problems stay and build it up and seek to change from within.  You can't imagine the fights I've seen at Orthodox Churches growing up.  I come from a mixed family of Greek/Roman Catholics and Orthodox.  But when the people at the Orthodox Church fight they leave for happier pastures.  Then there are a few left holding the bag trying to fight for what needs to be done to save the parish.  Then they get snuffed out and the parish is left with 20 members who see it as a place to hang out on Sunday mornings and fight over who's cousin is going to get the contract to pave parking lot while the church building is falling apart.

Hopefully with this new change we can work to make everything standard.  One church, one bishop per area, shared resources.  Just like the Catholics.  Just like the Orthodox Churches do in say, Greece or Romania or Russia.  
At best what has happened was from recently to 100 years ago many parishes left Greek Catholicism and founded Orthodox Churches up the street.  The only difference is now THEY have the power, they own the building, they hire and fire priests at will.  They treat him like an employee, a chaplain who they pay.  It is congregationalism.  So it becomes an Orthodox Church that hasn't fully moved into Orthodoxy, rather, it has moved in congregationalism.  Sorry, I live it, I've had to deal with it for the better part of my life.
It isn't like the parishes ever really cared about Orthodox doctrine, Orthodox praxis, or being Orthodox because they sought to destroy the bonds that took their ancestors into Greek Catholicism in the first place.  No, they squabbled over calenders and church property.  They wanted control.  Full control of EVERYTHING. From the priest down.  And they will and have switched jurisdictions to find a priest or bishop they could bully around.  
Wow, you're thinking, why am I so harsh?  Because many of those reading this are not from the North East or areas which have had Orthodox churches for maybe 100 years or so.  You never get to see what I am talking about.  You are from mission areas with fresh missions and a fresh perspective.

However what I see is more examples of congregationalism taking place, just without it being attached to one's ancestral ethnic identity.  
I can name plenty of newer Orthodox missions/churches that have gotten riled up, switched jurisdictions, set up rival missions next town over (taking 30 people splitting into two 15 groups of people trying to each support a priest and a mission). Over what? Power, who controls things, who owns the building.  I've heard countless examples of missions running themselves with visiting priests.  When they get a priest the people who felt they "ran" the mission leave and form new ones taking half the people with them.

What we need is to get rid of this mindset.  We need to have the parish council function as it is intended to function.  It should be a council that works with the priest and the hierarchy.  We need standard rules and so forth for proper function so each church can function as one being and breathe Christ.  For too long we have breathed "self, power, want, we own the church, the priest is our employee."  

And we should be hopeful that this new agreement among our hierarchy AND the mother churches brings us closer to that reality.  Those that are with us will stand with us and those that don't will be gone. Trouble parishes that tie up church resources and chew and spit out priests and put burden on everyone around them will be gone.  Prayerfully may our churches return to the business of being churches and not social clubs or seen as property of the due paying members.  I once had a parish council president tell me "I don't have time to come do that, I'm in 8 other social clubs including this one (the church)."
And really in the end we aren't pushing for anything new.  Rather we are pushing for a return to how it should be.  We we have in North America with all the jurisdictions and the current situation is new.  We are simply returning to the old.  And I for one can not wait until seekers, non-believers and other Christian communities and the public at large can see us all as ONE church.. not the Greek Church, not the Carpatho-Rusyn Church, not the Russian Church but as ONE.  And if you can get excited about that just think how us believers and members of the Body of Christ, the Orthodox Church will feel when we truly are all one and everything is shared among us and we bring ourselves back to a proper order.

So when I see people on the internet asking "oh what should I look for in a parish" I think "here we go."  
History repeats itself.  Many of our parishes are blocks apart.  Why? Because the people from Perechyn Ukraine couldn't go to church with those from L'viv so they built a church two blocks away.  
It's a different sort of congregationalism but it is the same.  It is trying to find a piece of paradise that fits a person's psyche.  However, Christianity isn't about ME, it is about the community.  No matter what the 700 club says, church isn't about feeling good and having Christ save you to give you a better job and a corvette.  Church is hard, from fasting, to penance to staying in a parish and working together no matter if you don't like Bortiansky but the church up the street sings Valaam.. you stay in your local Christian community and battle it out.  Christ is for all nations... and that includes all personalities and going to church that doesn't always sing music you like or doesn't have the best coffee hour.. and even if they pysanky at the church nearest to you and the other one 20 miles away feels more homey.. stay at the one close to you.  Build it up.  Bring it your talent, your prayer, your soul.  Because when we put others first we just may start to see the church in our area grow and flourish.  Because, remember what Christ said in Matthew 25.. and remember the apostles didn't have it easy, nor did the martyrs or those in former USSR.  Neither do the Greeks have it easy in Turkey.  The Serbs who died at the hands of oppression in Kosovo.  Nor did the Armenians have it easy as well.  The Orthodox in the Holy Land too.  
But I read on the internet "oh should I go to this church down the street or the one 30 miles away, they don't have pews and sing better"  Well, remember a lot of people died and are suffering to attempt to even practise their faith in this world, and self-interests of externals don't concern them.  They plant their flag as best as they can and live out the message in their own communities.

Username!

Thanks for your respectful and truthfull response.  I understand all the points that you have brought up and I don't think you are being to harsh at all. You are being totally honest. I wish this type of behavior wasn't the case and I to wish it would change.  If there was an Orthodox parish close by I would attend it and not travel to one that is so far off (my prayer is that this will happen one day).  My circumstances are that there are three Orthodox parrishes that have equal driving times of 2.5 to 3 hours away.  I would love it if there was just one that was even an hour away (we live in a sparsly populated area).  

When I responded to my OP about my experience about attending the DL I was wrong in my response.  I take back what I said and I am sorry if I offended any members here.  When I said I would go back it was because I realize the importance of community and all the points that you addressed and I realized I was reacting in a manner that I shouldn't have.  Many times I write a response in a forum without going into lengthy detail. If, given the opportunity to travel another 3 hours in that direction I would attend that OC because I want to go back and not because I was church shopping..  I am travelling in another direction tomorrow and I hope that I will be able to attend my first Vespers service at one of the other Orthodox churches that is 3 hours away.  

I don't see my particular situation as church shopping since I am so far away from OC's but I can see this happening in areas where the churches are abundant. Thanks for your insight and I will continue to ponder all of you points.
Gotta go

Caleb

[Pravoslavbob]

This whole thing about a "welcoming atmosphere" is incomprehensible to me.

When Americans go to a church, they are shopping.

You can see examples of this in this thread.

In defense of some of the Americans church shopping, maybe they aren't really church shopping but its part of the intended path that Gods intends to use to bring them into Orthodoxy, and then there are those that are "Church Shopping"..................................

You can take a Honda and put Cadillac badges on it but it is still a Honda.  

Here is one thing we were taught as Catholics growing up.
You went to the parish in your town.  Period.  You couldn't go register at one across town or in the next town simply because you didn't like it.  You stayed in the parish you went to even if you didn't always agree with the priest.  Sure you could be registered at parish A but go to the other town and go to parish b BUT the bishop, chancellor, priest wouldn't let you join parish b.  This means at the end of the day you never could really be active on parish council or the other committees at parish b simply because you were registered nor allowed to be registered in parish b.
And guess what?  We lived with it.  And guess what?  Some of those Catholic parishes have more members, more community outreach to the needy and elderly and imprisoned then some entire Orthodox jurisdictions do!

If everyone went to the Orthodox church that was closest to them and didn't drive past 4 others (while wasting gas and seeking to satisfy their quest for self-indulgence to find a parish that fits their criteria) we'd actually have stronger parishes that could grow and carry out the mission of Christ.

The truth hurts.  Look an Orthodox Church is an Orthodox Church.  If it has problems stay and build it up and seek to change from within.  You can't imagine the fights I've seen at Orthodox Churches growing up.  I come from a mixed family of Greek/Roman Catholics and Orthodox.  But when the people at the Orthodox Church fight they leave for happier pastures.  Then there are a few left holding the bag trying to fight for what needs to be done to save the parish.  Then they get snuffed out and the parish is left with 20 members who see it as a place to hang out on Sunday mornings and fight over who's cousin is going to get the contract to pave parking lot while the church building is falling apart.

Hopefully with this new change we can work to make everything standard.  One church, one bishop per area, shared resources.  Just like the Catholics.  Just like the Orthodox Churches do in say, Greece or Romania or Russia.  
At best what has happened was from recently to 100 years ago many parishes left Greek Catholicism and founded Orthodox Churches up the street.  The only difference is now THEY have the power, they own the building, they hire and fire priests at will.  They treat him like an employee, a chaplain who they pay.  It is congregationalism.  So it becomes an Orthodox Church that hasn't fully moved into Orthodoxy, rather, it has moved in congregationalism.  Sorry, I live it, I've had to deal with it for the better part of my life.
It isn't like the parishes ever really cared about Orthodox doctrine, Orthodox praxis, or being Orthodox because they sought to destroy the bonds that took their ancestors into Greek Catholicism in the first place.  No, they squabbled over calenders and church property.  They wanted control.  Full control of EVERYTHING. From the priest down.  And they will and have switched jurisdictions to find a priest or bishop they could bully around.  
Wow, you're thinking, why am I so harsh?  Because many of those reading this are not from the North East or areas which have had Orthodox churches for maybe 100 years or so.  You never get to see what I am talking about.  You are from mission areas with fresh missions and a fresh perspective.

However what I see is more examples of congregationalism taking place, just without it being attached to one's ancestral ethnic identity.  
I can name plenty of newer Orthodox missions/churches that have gotten riled up, switched jurisdictions, set up rival missions next town over (taking 30 people splitting into two 15 groups of people trying to each support a priest and a mission). Over what? Power, who controls things, who owns the building.  I've heard countless examples of missions running themselves with visiting priests.  When they get a priest the people who felt they "ran" the mission leave and form new ones taking half the people with them.

What we need is to get rid of this mindset.  We need to have the parish council function as it is intended to function.  It should be a council that works with the priest and the hierarchy.  We need standard rules and so forth for proper function so each church can function as one being and breathe Christ.  For too long we have breathed "self, power, want, we own the church, the priest is our employee."  

And we should be hopeful that this new agreement among our hierarchy AND the mother churches brings us closer to that reality.  Those that are with us will stand with us and those that don't will be gone. Trouble parishes that tie up church resources and chew and spit out priests and put burden on everyone around them will be gone.  Prayerfully may our churches return to the business of being churches and not social clubs or seen as property of the due paying members.  I once had a parish council president tell me "I don't have time to come do that, I'm in 8 other social clubs including this one (the church)."
And really in the end we aren't pushing for anything new.  Rather we are pushing for a return to how it should be.  We we have in North America with all the jurisdictions and the current situation is new.  We are simply returning to the old.  And I for one can not wait until seekers, non-believers and other Christian communities and the public at large can see us all as ONE church.. not the Greek Church, not the Carpatho-Rusyn Church, not the Russian Church but as ONE.  And if you can get excited about that just think how us believers and members of the Body of Christ, the Orthodox Church will feel when we truly are all one and everything is shared among us and we bring ourselves back to a proper order.

So when I see people on the internet asking "oh what should I look for in a parish" I think "here we go."  
History repeats itself.  Many of our parishes are blocks apart.  Why? Because the people from Perechyn Ukraine couldn't go to church with those from L'viv so they built a church two blocks away.  
It's a different sort of congregationalism but it is the same.  It is trying to find a piece of paradise that fits a person's psyche.  However, Christianity isn't about ME, it is about the community.  No matter what the 700 club says, church isn't about feeling good and having Christ save you to give you a better job and a corvette.  Church is hard, from fasting, to penance to staying in a parish and working together no matter if you don't like Bortiansky but the church up the street sings Valaam.. you stay in your local Christian community and battle it out.  Christ is for all nations... and that includes all personalities and going to church that doesn't always sing music you like or doesn't have the best coffee hour.. and even if they pysanky at the church nearest to you and the other one 20 miles away feels more homey.. stay at the one close to you.  Build it up.  Bring it your talent, your prayer, your soul.  Because when we put others first we just may start to see the church in our area grow and flourish.  Because, remember what Christ said in Matthew 25.. and remember the apostles didn't have it easy, nor did the martyrs or those in former USSR.  Neither do the Greeks have it easy in Turkey.  The Serbs who died at the hands of oppression in Kosovo.  Nor did the Armenians have it easy as well.  The Orthodox in the Holy Land too.  
But I read on the internet "oh should I go to this church down the street or the one 30 miles away, they don't have pews and sing better"  Well, remember a lot of people died and are suffering to attempt to even practise their faith in this world, and self-interests of externals don't concern them.  They plant their flag as best as they can and live out the message in their own communities.

Have you heard the one about the Russian guy marooned on a desert island?  Well, he was marooned there for decades.  One of the very first things he did once marooned was to build 2 churches.  He used the few icons that he had been marooned with to adorn the churches.  He even made his own icon paint from minerals and organic material that he had found on the island and created his own.  Each church was fashioned with extreme care and incredible attention to detail.  When he was finally rescued, those who had found him marveled at the beauty and craftsmanship that had gone into making the 2 churches with such few tools to work with.  "But there's just one thing we have to ask you" said his rescuers.  "Why did you feel the need to build 2 churches?"  The just-rescued man pointed at one of the churches and replied, "That's the church I go to," and then gesturing at the other one said strongly: "and that's the one I don't go to!"
 

(I'm sure that the ethnicity of the fellow concerned doesn't have to be Russian. That's  just the way I remember the story being told.  And lest anyone wonder, I am not trying to make light of your post.  I think you make a lot of good points.  I just couldn't resist the chance to insert this little...um...gem here.)

[username!]

NMHS I wasn't singling u out. Your situation is unique. I don't have the best answer for you.  Ask a priest or a Bishop. Or have a priest ask the Bishop what to do.

[podkarpatska]

I thought he was Carpatho-Russian!/Rusyn!

[LBK]

The version I've heard said the marooned man was Ukrainian. 

[NMHS]

NMHS I wasn't singling u out. Your situation is unique. I don't have the best answer for you.  Ask a priest or a Bishop. Or have a priest ask the Bishop what to do.

No problem,  I didn't think you were .  I felt compelled to say there might be other reasons why some might have to go to different churches and I wanted to apoligize for my earlier post about my first church attendance anyway.

Take care, 

[Thomas]

In reference to the phrase "church Shopping" I think it is important to note that many Orthodox Christians see themselves as Orthodox Americans and attend whatever Orthodox Church is closest to them. Such is my case. We entered the Orthodox Church through the Greek Orthodox Church that was 2 miles from our home. When we moved to a town without an Orthodox parish we held reader's services in our home and affiliated with a Russian orthodox (ROCOR) parish that would occasionally provide a priest (3 hours away)to visit our area for local services.We attended major feasts at that ROCOR Parish. When Our children needed more spiritual support and activities than the occasional visit by that dedicated ROCOR priest, (with his blessing and that of a ROCOR Bishop) we looked for a parish that was within a reasonable travel distance from our home, it was an Antiochian parish that we have been happily supporting with tithes, offerings, and weekly attendance for over 9 years.

Many  non-ethnic Orthodox Christians in the United States are happy just to have an Orthodox Church that is close tothem whereas many Orthodox people who have a long history of Orthodoxyfor generations seek out an ethnic parish so they may feel comfortable withthe traditions they have been raised with all of their life. I believe there is far less "Church shopping" going on than there is in the non-orthodox setting.

Thomas