Topic: Best places for Orthodox singles to live?

[AikaterinaMaria]

So the other thread on the best places for Orthodox families to live got me thinking. I've never seen an Orthodox church that wasn't entirely family-centric. Are there churches in other parts of the country that are welcoming to single young adults or that offer young adult ministries?

[PeterTheAleut]

So the other thread on the best places for Orthodox families to live got me thinking. I've never seen an Orthodox church that wasn't entirely family-centric. Are there churches in other parts of the country that are welcoming to single young adults or that offer young adult ministries?

There's a Greek Orthodox Church in Portland, Oregon, that does.

[pensateomnia]

So the other thread on the best places for Orthodox families to live got me thinking. I've never seen an Orthodox church that wasn't entirely family-centric. Are there churches in other parts of the country that are welcoming to single young adults or that offer young adult ministries?

In my experience, there are usually several such parishes in cities with large numbers of young professionals and graduate students: New York, Chicago, and Boston in particular. In the GOA alone there are city-wide Orthodox organizations and events for adults in their twenties and thirties in all three cities, ranging from faith-related retreats to sports leagues. There are also some great parishes with plenty of single members. St. Mary's in Cambridge, MA comes to mind.

[Poppy]

So the other thread on the best places for Orthodox families to live got me thinking. I've never seen an Orthodox church that wasn't entirely family-centric. Are there churches in other parts of the country that are welcoming to single young adults or that offer young adult ministries?

yeah there called monasteries 

[vamrat]

So the other thread on the best places for Orthodox families to live got me thinking. I've never seen an Orthodox church that wasn't entirely family-centric. Are there churches in other parts of the country that are welcoming to single young adults or that offer young adult ministries?

yeah there called monasteries 

Roflcopter.

[vamrat]

So the other thread on the best places for Orthodox families to live got me thinking. I've never seen an Orthodox church that wasn't entirely family-centric. Are there churches in other parts of the country that are welcoming to single young adults or that offer young adult ministries?

I think just about any Church would be welcoming towards any person, single or married.  As for youth ministries, I haven't run into any.  The Church I attend has a number of younger couples, but few single people, unless they are widowed.

[Cognomen]

Are there churches in other parts of the country that are welcoming to single young adults or that offer young adult ministries?

yeah there called monasteries 

Roflcopter.

I'm not sure what a Roflcopter is, but I think I second the motion.  Well played, Poppy!

To the OP, sorry I can't be of more help, but I don't know.  My parish has a young adult ministry, or something like that.  I don't qualify. 

[akimori makoto]

Young adult? Orthodox Church?

 

[Melodist]

[IsmiLiora]

You guys are sooooo funny.

At my church, it just seems like the Orthodox guys and gals lure the cute/sexy/hot non-Orthodox to marry them and make them convert immediately. Who needs a singles ministry?! Go out and recruit for the Church, people!!!

[akimori makoto]

You guys are sooooo funny.

At my church, it just seems like the Orthodox guys and gals lure the cute/sexy/hot non-Orthodox to marry them and make them convert immediately. Who needs a singles ministry?! Go out and recruit for the Church, people!!!

I thought you attend a Greek church?

[Cognomen]

Young adult? Orthodox Church?
 

Sigh... don't get me started.

At my church, it just seems like the Orthodox guys and gals lure the cute/sexy/hot non-Orthodox to marry them and make them convert immediately. Who needs a singles ministry?! Go out and recruit for the Church, people!!!

Ahhh, so that's why it's okay for women to wear miniskirts to receive communion.  Silly me.  Always thinking like an overzealous convert.


Cheers, Melodist, for the ROFLCopter explanation.

[KBN1]

There are a couple of houses for rent on my street.

[vamrat]

You guys are sooooo funny.

At my church, it just seems like the Orthodox guys and gals lure the cute/sexy/hot non-Orthodox to marry them and make them convert immediately. Who needs a singles ministry?! Go out and recruit for the Church, people!!!

Tried that.

[akimori makoto]

You guys are sooooo funny.

At my church, it just seems like the Orthodox guys and gals lure the cute/sexy/hot non-Orthodox to marry them and make them convert immediately. Who needs a singles ministry?! Go out and recruit for the Church, people!!!

Tried that.

Didn't work for me, either.

I think it is a rare person who is even capable of "getting" Orthodoxy, the state of worldly brainwashing being what it is these days.

O tempora, o mores.

[IsmiLiora]

You guys are sooooo funny.

At my church, it just seems like the Orthodox guys and gals lure the cute/sexy/hot non-Orthodox to marry them and make them convert immediately. Who needs a singles ministry?! Go out and recruit for the Church, people!!!

I thought you attend a Greek church?

I do. There are a TON of converts by marriage there. I guess that's the outlier?

I hope you guys find lovely Orthodox gals.  We have also a pretty big 30 something convert population at our church, which may make things easier for the people seeking a good Orthodox partner.

EDIT: Sorry guys, I just realized that my response may have come off as very flippant. I didn't mean it that way. Even in the Protestant churches, I was never able to find a guy with a similar mindset. They were either so straight-edged that they gasped at my clothes and hobbies or they were frat boys in disguise who dated every woman in the college ministry. You guys are one in a million and I really do hope that you find someone.

Only by the grace of God are my husband and I catechumens and going to be raising our children in one church. When we first started dating, he wanted to convert to the RCC and I was full-out-whack-a-doodle charismatic. We very narrowly missed a deal-breaker (not that we're in the clear yet, only one year into our marriage) in our religious beliefs. These things are always difficult and you guys have my utmost sympathies.

[akimori makoto]

Even in the Protestant churches, I was never able to find a guy with a similar mindset. They were either so straight-edged that they gasped at my clothes and hobbies or they were frat boys in disguise who dated every woman in the college ministry.

I really empathise with this, only with genders reversed and "frat boy" replaced by certain expletives.

I am thinking I need to make a thread about the takeover of Christianity by straight-lacedness, as it's come up across a few topics.

PS: "30-something" is a bit old for me, haha.

[vamrat]

You guys are sooooo funny.

At my church, it just seems like the Orthodox guys and gals lure the cute/sexy/hot non-Orthodox to marry them and make them convert immediately. Who needs a singles ministry?! Go out and recruit for the Church, people!!!

I thought you attend a Greek church?

I do. There are a TON of converts by marriage there. I guess that's the outlier?

I hope you guys find lovely Orthodox gals.  We have also a pretty big 30 something convert population at our church, which may make things easier for the people seeking a good Orthodox partner.

EDIT: Sorry guys, I just realized that my response may have come off as very flippant. I didn't mean it that way. Even in the Protestant churches, I was never able to find a guy with a similar mindset. They were either so straight-edged that they gasped at my clothes and hobbies or they were frat boys in disguise who dated every woman in the college ministry. You guys are one in a million and I really do hope that you find someone.

Only by the grace of God are my husband and I catechumens and going to be raising our children in one church. When we first started dating, he wanted to convert to the RCC and I was full-out-whack-a-doodle charismatic. We very narrowly missed a deal-breaker (not that we're in the clear yet, only one year into our marriage) in our religious beliefs. These things are always difficult and you guys have my utmost sympathies.

Your well-wishing is appreciated.  And I didn't take your response to be flippant. 

As for the 30 something converts, if this is numeric - jeesh, on days that aren't Pascha and Nativity we're luck if we have 30 people total.  If you mean age-wise - then unlike Akimori, 30 ain't too old for me!     (Nice Cicero quote on the last post, btw, Aki!)

[IsmiLiora]

Okay, so maybe TON = 15. Ha ha. I'm going by percentages here, because our church is pretty small. It's yiayias, 30-somethings (and late 20-somethings), and lots of babies. Strange demographics.

And forgive me, I wasn't aware that women a bit older than you were off your lists.  Ha, I'd consider 30 to 42, but that's another story entirely...

[IsmiLiora]

I am thinking I need to make a thread about the takeover of Christianity by straight-lacedness, as it's come up across a few topics.

Please do. I would love to hear your thoughts on the issue!

[TheodoraElizabeth3]

I'm early 40s and I've been in two parishes. One had tons of very young converts (college age or just beyond) and lots of singles in that population or several very freaky older guys I wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole (thank God they were never interested).

Going to several GOA parishes in the area for their YAL groups was unsuccessful. Not for guys, but just for more folks my age. It was made blatantly clear that non-Greeks were unwelcome, much to the dismay of the priests! This was when I was in my mid-30s.

I'm very active locally, so I'm definitely not hiding in my parish. There are several guys my age in my parish, but they are stuck in perpetual adolescence - early 40s and never married - and are incapable of even holding a decent conversation at coffee hour.

I'm in an area with lots of Orthodox, but the ethnic parish folks pretty much keep to themselves.

[orthonorm]

So the other thread on the best places for Orthodox families to live got me thinking. I've never seen an Orthodox church that wasn't entirely family-centric. Are there churches in other parts of the country that are welcoming to single young adults or that offer young adult ministries?

yeah there called monasteries 

Nice!

[Philoumenos]

http://www.orthodoxchristiandating.com/connect/

Count 'em up!

[Asteriktos]

I hope you guys find lovely Orthodox gals.  We have also a pretty big 30 something convert population at our church, which may make things easier for the people seeking a good Orthodox partner.

Where is your Church again? 

[Heorhij]

At my church, it just seems like the Orthodox guys and gals lure the cute/sexy/hot non-Orthodox to marry them and make them convert immediately. Who needs a singles ministry?! Go out and recruit for the Church, people!!!

In my Greek Orthodox mission parish, young Greek women tend to marry WASP Episcopalians.

[Alpo]

Are there churches in other parts of the country that are welcoming to single young adults or that offer young adult ministries?

If you are a female I'm sure any seminary with loads of young men would welcome you anytime.

[HandmaidenofGod]

Are there churches in other parts of the country that are welcoming to single young adults or that offer young adult ministries?

If you are a female I'm sure any seminary with loads of young men would welcome you anytime.

This is actually a very bad idea.

If you want to feel like you are a cow going out for slaughter, by all means, follow this suggestion. If you want to meet a man who loves you for who you are, and not because you are potential "Presbytera/Matushka/PaniMatka" material, and as a result can get ordained quickly after graduation, don't hang out at a seminary.

While it's true that I do know Presbytera's and Matushka's who have met their husbands at seminary, it's because they were there to get their MS degree in Theology or BA degree Religious Studies. Not to get their MRS. degree.

[TheodoraElizabeth3]

Are there churches in other parts of the country that are welcoming to single young adults or that offer young adult ministries?

If you are a female I'm sure any seminary with loads of young men would welcome you anytime.

This is actually a very bad idea.

If you want to feel like you are a cow going out for slaughter, by all means, follow this suggestion. If you want to meet a man who loves you for who you are, and not because you are potential "Presbytera/Matushka/PaniMatka" material, and as a result can get ordained quickly after graduation, don't hang out at a seminary.

While it's true that I do know Presbytera's and Matushka's who have met their husbands at seminary, it's because they were there to get their MS degree in Theology or BA degree Religious Studies. Not to get their MRS. degree.

I have to agree. Clergy families are under enough stress without adding the strain of two people who don't know each other that well.

[nichole.boz]

Are there churches in other parts of the country that are welcoming to single young adults or that offer young adult ministries?

If you are a female I'm sure any seminary with loads of young men would welcome you anytime.

This is actually a very bad idea.

If you want to feel like you are a cow going out for slaughter, by all means, follow this suggestion. If you want to meet a man who loves you for who you are, and not because you are potential "Presbytera/Matushka/PaniMatka" material, and as a result can get ordained quickly after graduation, don't hang out at a seminary.

While it's true that I do know Presbytera's and Matushka's who have met their husbands at seminary, it's because they were there to get their MS degree in Theology or BA degree Religious Studies. Not to get their MRS. degree.

I have to disagree with you....while there are definitely men at seminary whose "theological clocks" are ticking, there is also an incredibly unique community of young people who are serious about their faith and their life in the Church.  I am finishing my MTS degree, and began seminary with the intention to learn more about my faith (since I converted at age 12), learn Greek, and learn more about Byzantine chant.  Among the myriad other amazing benefits afforded me by three years at seminary was bonding with this community.  I had many of the same feelings about finding someone with whom to spend my life now that I was part of the Orthodox Church (I grew up in the South, so this "weird religion" put off many people), and I didn't feel that many of my age-group peers at Church really cared much beyond the Greek festival or yearly dances. 

Seminary opened up my eyes to a world of people under the age of 75 who LOVED the Church and were studying to spend their lives closely tied to it.  Invaluable experience, and worth every penny and every minute. 

I also happened to meet my husband there, but that was neither of our intentions when we arrived...which is why it worked.  You cannot force things like marriage-caliber relationships, in my humble opinion.....

-N

[CatherineBrigid]

LOL...in my soon-to-be church (it's a brand-new parish-in-formation), I will be the ONE single person, LOL!!!  And I"m a single mom too, yippee, LOL.  The other two families in the church are married folks.

[Luckster]

Churches in college towns tend to have young, sizeable groups of singles.

Occasionally, I bemoan my bachelorhood to my mom and aunt who remind me, "There's plenty of single Greek girls in church." Then, every Sunday, I might see one. Wicked women, this is there attempt to make me attend more often. It's like playing the lottery: You keep playing in hopes that you'll win. I keep attending as many services as possible in hopes I find a woman.

[Marc1152]

Finnland

[Alpo]

Orthodox seminaries.

[vamrat]

Churches in college towns tend to have young, sizeable groups of singles.

Occasionally, I bemoan my bachelorhood to my mom and aunt who remind me, "There's plenty of single Greek girls in church." Then, every Sunday, I might see one. Wicked women, this is there attempt to make me attend more often. It's like playing the lottery: You keep playing in hopes that you'll win. I keep attending as many services as possible in hopes I find a woman.

Yep.  That's how it goes.  Women don't typically attend Church between the ages of 18 and childbirth.  Or at least, that's how it looks to me. 

[jmbejdl]

Churches in college towns tend to have young, sizeable groups of singles.

Occasionally, I bemoan my bachelorhood to my mom and aunt who remind me, "There's plenty of single Greek girls in church." Then, every Sunday, I might see one. Wicked women, this is there attempt to make me attend more often. It's like playing the lottery: You keep playing in hopes that you'll win. I keep attending as many services as possible in hopes I find a woman.

Yep.  That's how it goes.  Women don't typically attend Church between the ages of 18 and childbirth.  Or at least, that's how it looks to me. 

You've never been to a Romanian parish then I guess. There are always tons of younger single people, of both sexes. At least, there are both here and in Romania in every parish I ever attended. Of course, if you're actually in Romania chances are that most people around you are Orthodox in or out of church. I met my wife whilst doing aid work in Romania.

James

[JamesR]

Marry a Mexican California girl They are Roman Catholics (unfortunately) but they are always extremely devout and probably would convert to Orthodoxy and make good moms.

[Jetavan]

Marry a Mexican California girl They are Roman Catholics (unfortunately) but they are always extremely devout and probably would convert to Orthodoxy and make good moms.

What's wrong with Mexican Texas girls?

[OrthoNoob]

Marry a Mexican California girl They are Roman Catholics (unfortunately) but they are always extremely devout and probably would convert to Orthodoxy and make good moms.

Wouldn't extreme devotion be an obstacle to a conversion of convenience?

[Sinful Hypocrite]

A monastery

[vamrat]

Churches in college towns tend to have young, sizeable groups of singles.

Occasionally, I bemoan my bachelorhood to my mom and aunt who remind me, "There's plenty of single Greek girls in church." Then, every Sunday, I might see one. Wicked women, this is there attempt to make me attend more often. It's like playing the lottery: You keep playing in hopes that you'll win. I keep attending as many services as possible in hopes I find a woman.

Yep.  That's how it goes.  Women don't typically attend Church between the ages of 18 and childbirth.  Or at least, that's how it looks to me. 

You've never been to a Romanian parish then I guess. There are always tons of younger single people, of both sexes. At least, there are both here and in Romania in every parish I ever attended. Of course, if you're actually in Romania chances are that most people around you are Orthodox in or out of church. I met my wife whilst doing aid work in Romania.

James

No, I have not been to a Romanian parish, though one of the guys at Church has a pretty Romanian wife so perhaps I should ask him for some tips!