Hi everyone!
Another Protestant inquirer here. I have a friend who comes from an orthodox background, which is what initially sparked my curiosity, and have also been listening to Ancient Faith Radio regularly for well over a year, which has further deepened my curiosity.
Earlier this month I got a copy of The Orthodox Study Bible and started digging in...I feel like I'm discovering the Scripture all over again for the first time (tho I've read the protestant bible cover to cover several times, the notes, etc. in this one - not to mention the "extra" books included - are a whole different perspective. It's kinda like looking at a gorgeous diamond from a whole 'nother side that you previously hadn't noticed before and learning about whole new facets you didn't even know where there).
I have also just started reading "The Orthodox Church." Only about 65 pages in but am learning much so far. (and yes, before it's suggested, I did order "The Orthodox Way," several weeks ago from Amazon.com. Snail-mail is being rather...snailish... it should, in theory, arrive by the end of next week.)
At this moment I don't have any questions
per se; I'm just sorta lurking and reading and absorbing.
I do know that you can only read 'so much' about Orthodoxy...it must be experienced and lived as well. I have not yet had opportunity to visit a church but am prayerfully considering that next step. I am very active in my current home church, where I've only been for a little more two years (I'm
not a church-hopper...was at my previous church for nearly a decade before God
very clearly led us to where we are today...so I won't make a move unlessI am confident of God's Will and His timing.
Spiritually speaking, I'm kind of a "mutt" LOL! Born in very nominal episcopalian family - went to church MAYBE once a year if that. "Made a decision for Christ" when I was approximately 10 years old, and in my teens took that decision very seriously…have always loved to read the Bible, pray, and seek God's will etc…which made teen life pretty difficult, to say the least, haha. Anyway, I spent the vast majority of my Christian life in non-denominational charismatic churches, until in early 2003, God planted us in a local Methodist church after the birth of my last child. We were there until two years ago this past Pentecost Sunday, when God planted us in an amazing Anglican church that I love dearly. Which, interestingly, is how I first encountered Orthodoxy - and here I am today.
As a practicing "third order" Benedictine (meaning, I don't live in a monastery, but do live out the Rule of St. Benedict in my day-to-day life as much as possible and am part of an Anglican/ecumenical Benedictine/Franciscan religious order), I am used to praying morning, evening, and often Compline prayers (or other hours as possible). I think many things that drew me to the Benedictine life are at least in part what draws me to Orthodoxy…prayer, surrender, accountability, connectedness, and so forth. Besides that, as was pointed out to me the other day, Benedict was pre-schism and thus orthodox.
LOL. As a side-note, that's where my screen name came from... IMy abbot named me after Catherine of Sienna, adn my Prior feels that Brigid is also a saint that is very relatable to me, as well. Thus...Catherine Brigid.
So, yeah, I'm a spiritual mutt curious to find out what God is up to and how He leads me and my little family next.
Nice to meet y'all!
