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Asteriktos
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« on: February 15, 2013, 09:05:01 AM » |
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In another thread:
We should do a census of what spurred the conversion non-Orthodox, to Orthodoxy. Just what was that initial spark of interest. Then we could light that same spark in others.
So without going into a whole essay about it or telling your "conversion story," just simply in a paragraph or two, what led you to Orthodoxy? (If possible try to keep in mind what would be relevant as far as how the results could be reproduced and help others.) |
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Ansgar
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Keep your mind in hell and do not despair
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« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2013, 09:23:07 AM » |
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The Chicago Police Department.
And of course a lot of study.
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Christ is risen!
Do not be cast down over the struggle - the Lord loves a brave warrior. The Lord loves the soul that is valiant.
-St Silouan the athonite
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katherineofdixie
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« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2013, 11:14:34 AM » |
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The Lutheran Church's discernment process for the ordained ministry.
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"If but ten of us lead a holy life, we shall kindle a fire which shall light up the entire city."
St. John Chrysostom
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Nephi
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Posts: 1,246
Ecumenism Lite
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« Reply #3 on: February 15, 2013, 11:54:05 AM » |
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I looked into Roman Catholicism, and by chance learned about Orthodoxy.
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Jetavan
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« Reply #4 on: February 15, 2013, 11:57:05 AM » |
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The Way of a Pilgrim and The Pilgrim Continues His Way
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If you will, you can become all flame.
Extra caritatem nulla salus.
In order to become whole, take the "I" out of "holiness".
I'm not a witch.
Ἄνω σχῶμεν τὰς καρδίας
"Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is." -- Mohandas Gandhi
Y dduw bo'r diolch.
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icecreamsandwich
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« Reply #5 on: February 15, 2013, 12:06:37 PM » |
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Long story short - the lack of a cross in our old church.
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choy
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« Reply #6 on: February 15, 2013, 12:07:55 PM » |
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I've always had a curiosity about Orthodoxy from the first time I got a whiff of it. At some point as I learned more the Truth became obvious and irresistible.
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Asteriktos
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« Reply #7 on: February 15, 2013, 12:13:43 PM » |
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I became convinced, mostly through the Scripture, that Christ had founded a Church, and that it was meant to be an ongoing, visible thing. I began searching, mostly on the internet at first, and came across Orthodoxy as one of the options.
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Jason.Wike
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« Reply #8 on: February 15, 2013, 12:45:03 PM » |
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Well, I'm not exactly Orthodox anymore so this is probably irrelevant, but for me it was quite simply the bible. The only churches that match what is described in Bible are the Catholic church, EO and OO.
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If you give up pride of place for yourself to God, you will find your soul and eternity.. if you insist on putting yourself before God you will loose yourself eternally.
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Timon
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« Reply #9 on: February 15, 2013, 12:51:33 PM » |
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I got tired or how so many of my Protestant friends (and myself a long time ago) bashed Catholics and their beliefs, so I did a little research for myself to see if these claims were true. They werent. And I found out about Orthodoxy along the way.
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Even if we have thousands of acts of great virtue to our credit, our confidence in being heard must be based on God's mercy and His love for men. Even if we stand at the very summit of virtue, it is by mercy that we shall be saved. — Chrysostom BLOG |
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Tommelomsky
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« Reply #10 on: February 15, 2013, 12:51:46 PM » |
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Through the scriptures, prayers and being in the western parth of the church for 2 1/2 I did realize that the church that Christ had founded was and is indeed the true church with it fullness, tradition and a strong link between heaven and earth and human and God.
I spent time asking and chatting with many orthodox people online, watch clips of the liturgy and began reading. On may 5th 2012 I attended my first vigil and have never looked back since. It has been a learningfilled way so far with ups and downs (as expected).
So what do I think so far? Home! Love! Fullness. It is the best way to describe it.
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The meaning of life is to acquire the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Saint Seraphim of Sarov
Thomas said to him: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)
+ Glory be to God for all things! +
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Agabus
The user formerly known as Agabus.
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« Reply #11 on: February 15, 2013, 12:54:12 PM » |
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My wife got pregnant.
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Blessed Nazarius practiced the ascetic life. His clothes were tattered. He wore his shoes without removing them for six years. Headscarves cover a multitude of sins.
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primuspilus
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« Reply #12 on: February 15, 2013, 01:00:36 PM » |
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I wanted to find the original church, not some Johnny-come-lately understanding of how folks think it was.
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"I confidently affirm that whoever calls himself Universal Bishop is the precursor of Antichrist"
Gregory the Great
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Asteriktos
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« Reply #13 on: February 15, 2013, 01:03:55 PM » |
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My wife got pregnant.
Takes note: one good evangelism method is someone getting pregnant. This is the kind of [evangelism] I can get behind! (double entendre removed) |
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Jetavan
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« Reply #14 on: February 15, 2013, 01:57:48 PM » |
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My wife got pregnant.
Takes note: one good evangelism method is someone getting pregnant. This is the kind of [evangelism] I can get behind! (double entendre removed) Removed? |
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If you will, you can become all flame.
Extra caritatem nulla salus.
In order to become whole, take the "I" out of "holiness".
I'm not a witch.
Ἄνω σχῶμεν τὰς καρδίας
"Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is." -- Mohandas Gandhi
Y dduw bo'r diolch.
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Asteriktos
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« Reply #15 on: February 15, 2013, 01:59:54 PM » |
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My wife got pregnant.
Takes note: one good evangelism method is someone getting pregnant. This is the kind of [evangelism] I can get behind! (double entendre removed) Removed? I didn't think anyone would have their mind in the gutter and find the other one. You people let me down. The original statement was: "This is the kind of missionary work I can get behind. Wait, that's not right..." |
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Rdunbar123
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« Reply #16 on: February 15, 2013, 03:10:52 PM » |
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Cradle RC, started looking in to the issue of authority based on history, mainly as a matter of apologetics to protestants, became convinced of the truth of Orthodoxy.
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choy
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« Reply #17 on: February 15, 2013, 03:20:41 PM » |
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Cradle RC, started looking in to the issue of authority based on history, mainly as a matter of apologetics to protestants, became convinced of the truth of Orthodoxy.
Interesting that some RCs, upon learning I have left the RCChurch (or communion with it, being EC for the last 2 years), ask me if someone didn't explain the faith well to me which is why I left. I wonder how they would react if Orthodoxy was explained well to them. |
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Alpo
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« Reply #18 on: February 15, 2013, 03:23:30 PM » |
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I wanted to find a home.
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Just a little reminder: this forum is not called OrthodoxChristianityUSA.net   |
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WPM
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« Reply #19 on: February 15, 2013, 04:29:22 PM » |
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The prospect of finding a new church
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Velsigne
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« Reply #20 on: February 15, 2013, 04:37:37 PM » |
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What led me to Orthodoxy? Christ and Philokalia
Previous unchurched, had personal epiphany of Christ that removed any doubt and filled me with love of God. Quite an unforgettable and unmistakeably powerful experience. Was alone and prayed a heartfelt prayer to Christ, in whom I hadn't believed, and forgave everyone in my life as far as I possibly could. Then five years of making horrible mistakes (living by secular mores) and watched myself descend back into hell on earth. Thought I should maybe try to learn how to be a Christian, though I was never a joiner and didn't like groups, started praying for God to help me find a church and began looking.
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JamesR
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« Reply #21 on: February 15, 2013, 04:41:29 PM » |
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It was historically established by the Apostles and everything else was born from schism. I figured that the most logical thing to do was join the oldest Church since they were probably most likely to be the most original and authentic.
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"'Blessed are the peacemakers' For those are peacemakers in themselves who, in conquering and subjecting to reason all the motions of their souls and having their carnal desires tamed, have become in themselves a Kingdom of God."-St. Augustine of Hippo
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Cyrillic
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« Reply #22 on: February 15, 2013, 04:51:37 PM » |
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The Eastern Catholicism subforum on CAF. Thank you Cavaradossi.
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« Last Edit: February 15, 2013, 04:51:48 PM by Cyrillic »
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choy
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« Reply #23 on: February 15, 2013, 04:57:53 PM » |
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The Eastern Catholicism subforum on CAF. Thank you Cavaradossi.
Me it was the Traditional Subforum. |
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alanscott
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« Reply #24 on: February 15, 2013, 04:59:14 PM » |
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While I am not a convert what struck my initial ‘interest’ was a football article. Don’t laugh I’m a Steeler fan. The best way to witness is the way we live our lives. Troy Polamalu strikes me as a man of peace, grace, and humility. One Google search to the next and I began to learn about Orthodox history, theology, found Orthodoxsermons.org, and this web site as well. I soon realized the ‘ancient Church’ John Wesley referenced and revered is very much still alive and doing well!! As I continue to learn I continue to find appreciation and though I have not felt God has led me to convert at this point Orthodoxy has already made a wonderful difference in my (and my families) spiritual life. My daughter has recently become a catechuman in fact. Glory be to God. |
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There are heathens that live with more virtue than I. The devil himself believes Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Neither of these things truly makes me Christian.
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Tommelomsky
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« Reply #25 on: February 15, 2013, 05:13:30 PM » |
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I would also like to add that discussions on a much-a-like forum like this in the western church and help, info and useful advices in different ways from Choy, cavardossi and dzheremi.
At a given time I must have driven them to the edge with all my questions (born curious).
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The meaning of life is to acquire the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Saint Seraphim of Sarov
Thomas said to him: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)
+ Glory be to God for all things! +
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katherineofdixie
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« Reply #26 on: February 15, 2013, 05:59:56 PM » |
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I wonder how they would react if Orthodoxy was explained well to them.
Probably like you did ! |
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"If but ten of us lead a holy life, we shall kindle a fire which shall light up the entire city."
St. John Chrysostom
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biro
Ursus maritimus
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Και κλήρονομον δείξον με, ζωής της αιωνίου
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« Reply #27 on: February 15, 2013, 06:05:48 PM » |
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What led me to Orthodoxy? This road in front of the church parking lot.  |
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phthalyl.podomatic.com
the-cornet.blogspot.com
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choy
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« Reply #28 on: February 15, 2013, 06:51:55 PM » |
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I wonder how they would react if Orthodoxy was explained well to them.
Probably like you did ! I'm not sure right now if that is a good thing or a bad thing  |
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augustin717
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« Reply #29 on: February 15, 2013, 07:41:37 PM » |
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The best way to witness is the way we live our lives. Troy Polamalu strikes me as a man of peace, grace, and humility. One Google search to the next and I began to learn about Orthodox history, theology, found Orthodoxsermons.org, and this web site as well. I soon realized the ‘ancient Church’ John Wesley referenced and revered is very much still alive and doing well!! yep. a few millions would bring anyone some peace, grace and humility. |
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"Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people".
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Asteriktos
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« Reply #30 on: February 15, 2013, 08:14:21 PM » |
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The best way to witness is the way we live our lives. Troy Polamalu strikes me as a man of peace, grace, and humility. One Google search to the next and I began to learn about Orthodox history, theology, found Orthodoxsermons.org, and this web site as well. I soon realized the ‘ancient Church’ John Wesley referenced and revered is very much still alive and doing well!! yep. a few millions would bring anyone some peace, grace and humility. Not sure if srs... |
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Charles Martel
Traditional Roman Catholic
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« Reply #31 on: February 15, 2013, 08:43:08 PM » |
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Troy Polamalu strikes me as a man of peace, grace, and humility. If you were coming across the middle on against the Steeler defense, I don't think you find these virtues of Mr. Polamalu to appealing at that time.  |
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Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in proelio, contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium.
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choy
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« Reply #32 on: February 15, 2013, 09:07:07 PM » |
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Troy Polamalu strikes me as a man of peace, grace, and humility. If you were coming across the middle on against the Steeler defense, I don't think you find these virtues of Mr. Polamalu to appealing at that time. He is praying for your wellbeing just as he is about to take you down |
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Shanghaiski
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« Reply #33 on: February 16, 2013, 12:27:41 AM » |
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The Brothers Karamazov
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O Master Lord our God...who are wondrous in glory; who keeps his covenant and his mercy to them who love him with all their heart; who has given us redemption...through his only-begotten son, Jesus Christ...the life of everyone, the help of those who flee to him, the hope of those who cry to him.
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Margarita
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« Reply #34 on: February 16, 2013, 03:34:36 AM » |
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A neverending TransAtlantic seeking of I Am, the practice of Roman Catholicism (and Islam), and reading Coniaris's Introducing the Orthodox Church. Finally the first visitation&participation of Divine Litgury. After which, I have never stopped attending. Catechism class just finished up earlier this month, and it looks like I may be recieved into the Church 6 months ahead of what I had intended.
I have meet a number of Roman Catholics both of the Latin&Eastern rite. There is common thread woven between them all (myself included), prior to converting to Orthodoxy. They were all engaged in an authenic search for truth, healing truth, they were thristy&willing to pay whatever the price for this truth. Open, ready, searching&looking for the way made clear, they were.
Not to say this isn't so with others, just what I have noticed in fellow RC converts.
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Kerdy
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« Reply #35 on: February 16, 2013, 03:43:54 AM » |
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My goal was to find the original Church, if it still existed. I realized 90% of the hoopla spawned by religion today is inadequate and personal opinion. I wanted to shed myself of these infections and find what was taught by Jesus, the Apostles, the first Christians.
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« Last Edit: February 16, 2013, 03:47:37 AM by Kerdy »
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"Let it be understood that those who are not found living as He taught are not Christian- even though they profess with the lips the teaching of Christ." - Justin Martyr ( c.160 )
"we recognize that the war is ultimately spiritual rather than carnal." - Gebre Menfes Kidus
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Thomas
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« Reply #36 on: February 16, 2013, 08:52:06 PM » |
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A long search for the Early and original Christian Church ended with us becoming Orthodox.
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Your brother in Christ ,
Thomas
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dzheremi
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« Reply #37 on: February 16, 2013, 09:22:22 PM » |
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Temporally-speaking, Roman Catholicism. Spiritually-speaking, God.  |
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Anastasia1
Born into pahklava
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« Reply #38 on: February 17, 2013, 12:40:29 AM » |
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I think I attended a Catholic wedding that I barely remember as a young child. I had an Antiochian Orthodox boss and made plans some non-Protetestant Holy Week church visits with an Eastern Catholic friend. Also, I am part Armenian and just can't get past the Pope, but Orthodox theology feels healthier than Catholic theology, more like breathing when it is applied to my life than when I used to read Catholic theology which is more like law and intellectual stuff-I love that about Orthodoxy, especially Oriental Orthodoxy.
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« Last Edit: February 17, 2013, 12:43:28 AM by Anastasia1 »
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2 Cor. 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
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NightOwl
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« Reply #39 on: February 17, 2013, 12:57:48 PM » |
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Atheism/atheists, GK Chesterton, Dostoevsky, MetropolitanKallistos (Ware). In that order.
Entry corrected to show the appropriate title for the clergy noted in your response. Please remember all clergy should be addressed by their appropriate title. Thanks Thomas Convert Issues Forum Moderator.
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« Last Edit: February 26, 2013, 01:11:16 AM by Thomas »
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mabsoota
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Kyrie eleison
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« Reply #40 on: February 17, 2013, 02:51:26 PM » |
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being open to which Christian groups were acceptable (i.e. not just protestants!) then a muslim friend telling me i should visit his friend's coptic orthodox church.
i like the other stories in this thread, we should ask them to write more!
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Nathanael
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« Reply #41 on: February 17, 2013, 03:32:47 PM » |
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-some orthodox saints, who for me represent the best possible 'fruits'
-the humble and meek face, which you can see in some faces of orthodox people, especially on monks.
-the feeling of daily repentance and contrition in orthodox spirituality. I'm convinced that only in orthodoxy you can experience the fullness of the light of Christ which causes strong contrition in your heart.
-The parable of the Pharisee and the Publican. I've found only in orthodoxy so many people who are praying in the way of the publican- daily!
-some conversion stories
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« Last Edit: February 17, 2013, 03:34:03 PM by Nathanael »
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The helping of others, the giving of alms, and all external goods don’t calm the arrogance of the heart. Humility of the mind, the pain of repentence and the breaking of the will, however, humble the proud spirit. -Elder Joseph the Hesychast
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Knee V
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« Reply #42 on: February 18, 2013, 12:58:12 AM » |
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Like Nephi, studying Catholicism led me to Orthodoxy.
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That person
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Lex Luthor, seeing the world as Superman does
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« Reply #43 on: February 18, 2013, 01:06:52 AM » |
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While I am not a convert what struck my initial ‘interest’ was a football article. Don’t laugh I’m a Steeler fan. The best way to witness is the way we live our lives. Troy Polamalu strikes me as a man of peace, grace, and humility. One Google search to the next and I began to learn about Orthodox history, theology, found Orthodoxsermons.org, and this web site as well. I soon realized the ‘ancient Church’ John Wesley referenced and revered is very much still alive and doing well!! As I continue to learn I continue to find appreciation and though I have not felt God has led me to convert at this point Orthodoxy has already made a wonderful difference in my (and my families) spiritual life. My daughter has recently become a catechuman in fact. Glory be to God. Really? Because the prospect of sharing a religion with a Pittsburgh Steeler is one of the biggest obstacles in my study. |
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"Some have such command of their bowels, that they can break wind continuously at pleasure, so as to produce the effect of singing."- St. Augustine of Hippo
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alanscott
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« Reply #44 on: February 19, 2013, 09:04:08 AM » |
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While I am not a convert what struck my initial ‘interest’ was a football article. Don’t laugh I’m a Steeler fan. The best way to witness is the way we live our lives. Troy Polamalu strikes me as a man of peace, grace, and humility. One Google search to the next and I began to learn about Orthodox history, theology, found Orthodoxsermons.org, and this web site as well. I soon realized the ‘ancient Church’ John Wesley referenced and revered is very much still alive and doing well!! As I continue to learn I continue to find appreciation and though I have not felt God has led me to convert at this point Orthodoxy has already made a wonderful difference in my (and my families) spiritual life. My daughter has recently become a catechuman in fact. Glory be to God. Really? Because the prospect of sharing a religion with a Pittsburgh Steeler is one of the biggest obstacles in my study. Hmmm… I was going to accuse you of being from Cleveland with that comment except a devout Browns fan wouldn’t even think about sharing the Gospel w/ a Steeler. I would say you’re a Raven who would deceptively share the Word, but they just won the Super Bowl. That leaves Cincinnati, yea, that’s it, hugh? You must be a too oft forgotten Bengals fan. |
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There are heathens that live with more virtue than I. The devil himself believes Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Neither of these things truly makes me Christian.
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