Priest in Russia?

[JimCBrooklyn]

I have been inquiring for some time, and would like to take some more serious steps. This past summer, I met two priests in St. Petersburg, Russia, where I now live, who were so hyper-ecumenical that they essentially told me a Christian is a Christian is a Christian, so there was really no point in conversion. I would very much like to meet with another priest here, and discuss my situation, and my spiritual path.

Does anyone know of any holy, perhaps more conservative priests or monks in or around St. Petersburg that might be willing to meet with me, or how I might find one? My Russian is fairly strong.

Thanks,
Jim

[Jason.Wike]

I've heard of a lot of people having this issue in Russia. I can't offer any advice but may God bless you to find a good priest.

[Shanghaiski]

Why not visit the local monasteries? There may even be podvoriyes of Optina, Valaam, and Pskov in St. Petersburg. There's also the St. Alexander Nevsky monastery.

[deusveritasest]

This past summer, I met two priests in St. Petersburg, Russia, where I now live, who were so hyper-ecumenical that they essentially told me a Christian is a Christian is a Christian, so there was really no point in conversion.

 

[JimCBrooklyn]

Nevksy Monastery had actually come to my mind;
Etiquette-wise, is there a good way to go about finding someone to speak with?
Is there a particularly sort of person I should seek out for help once at a monastery?
Thanks!

[JimCBrooklyn]

Why not visit the local monasteries? There may even be podvoriyes of Optina, Valaam, and Pskov in St. Petersburg. There's also the St. Alexander Nevsky monastery.

Точно не знаю, что значит <<подворие>> в этом контексте?

[Michał Kalina]

Why not visit the local monasteries? There may even be podvoriyes of Optina, Valaam, and Pskov in St. Petersburg. There's also the St. Alexander Nevsky monastery.

Точно не знаю, что значит <<подворие>> в этом контексте?

English, please. This is a moderator's request.

[JimCBrooklyn]

Why not visit the local monasteries? There may even be podvoriyes of Optina, Valaam, and Pskov in St. Petersburg. There's also the St. Alexander Nevsky monastery.

Точно не знаю, что значит <<подворие>> в этом контексте?

English, please. This is a moderator's request.

Ok, quite sorry. I asked what a certain Russian word that the poster used in his recommendation meant, in Russian. His use of the word, plus the "ski" ending of his forum name and Georgian jurisdiction led me to assume he also spoke Russian. Did not realize this violated any rules! Will not repeat!
Jim

[Michał Kalina]

Podvorie or Metochion means something like an embassy of  one jurisdiction or a bishop or a large monastery outside their normal territory.

[JimCBrooklyn]

Ah.
Would you have any idea how one goes about approaching someone at a monastery, or who to even approach? It may sound like a dumb question, but I am entirely ignorant as to actual customs with regard to dealing with clergy, and my wife, though she is baptized and now practicing Orthodox, is also unsure, it all being new to her, having been raised in the USSR.

[Conservative Rebel]

The best way would be to go to a monastery during the confession time, join the queue and when your turn comes, just speak to the confessing priest, ask him for advice. Only, of course, finding a good (and all the more so 'holy') father confessor is not at all easy. But God will send you one if you really need him. Pray and persevere!

[JimCBrooklyn]

Forgive me for not also updating this thread! Pretty much the day I started it, a couple weeks ago, through a friend here, I became acquainted with an amazing, holy priest at Nikolsky Morskoy Sobor, who is leading me through catechesis.
Thank you all for your help!
In Christ,
Jim

[Conservative Rebel]

Congratulations!

[Orest]

Ah.
Would you have any idea how one goes about approaching someone at a monastery, or who to even approach? It may sound like a dumb question, but I am entirely ignorant as to actual customs with regard to dealing with clergy, and my wife, though she is baptized and now practicing Orthodox, is also unsure, it all being new to her, having been raised in the USSR.

This puts a different light on your situation.  Wherever your wife is going to church, she & you should wait until after the service is finished and appraoch your parish priest.  I suggest you go to a weekday vespers service when less people are around and it is easier to speak to the priest.  have your wife speak to one of the women selling candles at the back of the church and tell the old lady she & her husband wants to speak to the priest in private.  She will then tell one of the "elders", sorry don't know what this is called in English who will personally inform the priest.  then when the service is over the elder will take you both up to the priest.
Then your wife should tell the priest that she is an orthodox beielver and that her husband is interested in joining the Orthodox Church.
That will start the ball rolling.
This is the round about way things are done.  The priest will propably contact the consistory and find an English-speaking orthodox priest to meet with you.

[Orest]

Forgive me for not also updating this thread! Pretty much the day I started it, a couple weeks ago, through a friend here, I became acquainted with an amazing, holy priest at Nikolsky Morskoy Sobor, who is leading me through catechesis.
Thank you all for your help!
In Christ,
Jim

Good news.  Sorry, I did not read until the end.  The fact that your wife is orthodox does make a difference.

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