BYC Orthodox Unite!

[BlindLemonChicken]

I like that thought process, and that's how I more or less think of it. I've now even worn a covering to Protestant services, since I've decided to take it seriously and especially since I'm now actually engaged to an Orthodox man. It doesn't feel right to me to go back and forth. I'm going to live that life, even if it's a couple months out, the decision's been made and I've no need to wait!

I think that is sound reasoning. I just moved to the Bible belt having been Orthodox all my life and learning about Protestantism has been interesting to say the least. I don't want to offend them but they keep inviting me to church and to me it feels like they don't even know what Orthodoxy is or they wouldn't be asking! I didn't get baptized into the ancient church so I could go explore modern ones lol

 

[SunriseChickers]

I think that is sound reasoning. I just moved to the Bible belt having been Orthodox all my life and learning about Protestantism has been interesting to say the least. I don't want to offend them but they keep inviting me to church and to me it feels like they don't even know what Orthodoxy is or they wouldn't be asking! I didn't get baptized into the ancient church so I could go explore modern ones lol

I can tell you that most of them don't know anything about it. I grew up Baptist, and I'm honestly not sure what other Protestants think when they hear the words "Orthodox Christian", but I don't think it's very good.
I first heard it out of my father's mouth just over a year ago, when he was sharing with us what he had found whilst really digging into biblical truths. Then, a month or two later, I met my now Fiancé and I was able to ask endless questions, which he answered graciously and thoroughly, allowing me to do my own informed reading and come to my own conclusions.
I was keen to learn, and my mother was skeptical. She did warm right up after a couple of months. She doesn't intend to join Orthodoxy in an official sense, though she follows the prayers and (against recommendation, not having a priest for guidance) most fasts, along with live streaming most weekly services from various parishes and time zones! Sometimes she will watch three or four separate services of various Orthodox and Protestant types on a single Sunday morning. Meanwhile, my elder sister is a proud Five Point Calvinist and calls it "Orthodox brain rot".
When my parents told some of their friends at church that they were looking into it, there was quite a bit of attempted dissuasion, including sending articles and charts (written and compiled by unfortunately misinformed fellow Protestants), covered with many of their own notes as well, showing how Orthodoxy was 'actually just as sinful and terrible as Catholicism!' among many other arguments that held little merit and were improperly understood by the writer. I myself had a couple of friends doing their own researching and coming to tell me that they were worried (and convinced that) I was straying from God and following shrouded lies of the devil.
Putting all that together on 'paper' makes me realize how much God has had a hand in guiding my family towards Orthodoxy! I hadn't thought about how much resistance others have given us.
So, perhaps the folks inviting you to their churches even think they are doing you a service!
A few people have been academically curious, but I'm not sure why many of them are so nervous about Orthodoxy.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I can tell you that most of them don't know anything about it. I grew up Baptist, and I'm honestly not sure what other Protestants think when they hear the words "Orthodox Christian", but I don't think it's very good.
I first heard it out of my father's mouth just over a year ago, when he was sharing with us what he had found whilst really digging into biblical truths. Then, a month or two later, I met my now Fiancé and I was able to ask endless questions, which he answered graciously and thoroughly, allowing me to do my own informed reading and come to my own conclusions.
I was keen to learn, and my mother was skeptical. She did warm right up after a couple of months. She doesn't intend to join Orthodoxy in an official sense, though she follows the prayers and (against recommendation, not having a priest for guidance) most fasts, along with live streaming most weekly services from various parishes and time zones! Sometimes she will watch three or four separate services of various Orthodox and Protestant types on a single Sunday morning. Meanwhile, my elder sister is a proud Five Point Calvinist and calls it "Orthodox brain rot".
When my parents told some of their friends at church that they were looking into it, there was quite a bit of attempted dissuasion, including sending articles and charts (written and compiled by unfortunately misinformed fellow Protestants), covered with many of their own notes as well, showing how Orthodoxy was 'actually just as sinful and terrible as Catholicism!' among many other arguments that held little merit and were improperly understood by the writer. I myself had a couple of friends doing their own researching and coming to tell me that they were worried (and convinced that) I was straying from God and following shrouded lies of the devil.
Putting all that together on 'paper' makes me realize how much God has had a hand in guiding my family towards Orthodoxy! I hadn't thought about how much resistance others have given us.
So, perhaps the folks inviting you to their churches even think they are doing you a service!
A few people have been academically curious, but I'm not sure why many of them are so nervous about Orthodoxy.

It's so true! They really seem to not know anything about it. But then I have only started reading about Protestantism in the past couple years so I can't say I know much about them either but what I do know I try to learn from them instead of secondary sources. This is how I found out that Baptists consider baptism symbolic. My jaw just about hit the floor!

 

[SunriseChickers]

It's so true! They really seem to not know anything about it. But then I have only started reading about Protestantism in the past couple years so I can't say I know much about them either but what I do know I try to learn from them instead of secondary sources. This is how I found out that Baptists consider baptism symbolic. My jaw just about hit the floor!

Not only do they not know, but most I've talked to are unfortunately even less keen to try to learn about it at all. They tend to nod politely then shove it off to the side as quick as possible, which is frustrating. That may be just folks in my area though, I can't be sure.
Before really learning things about Orthodoxy, I was already drifting away from the church I was at, and was becoming very unsatisfied with the way they handle things. Massive cool colored sanctuary with expanses of white, empty walls, hard white lights and a handful of stone and colored glass windows (they are lovely, but small and dim). The only depiction of Christ is in the Baptismal and has been covered by a projector screen because they were worried that it would become idol worship to have it there.
Aside from the major theological differences and misunderstandings, many protestant denominations have turned Church into a business prospect. The culture also varies wildly from church to church, even within the same denominations, because none of them follow one set rule. No bishops or archbishops of course. The pastor decides on things, usually with a small group of Elders who get voted into Eldership.
It felt cold. Shouldn't I feel God the most at the wellspring? In my own Church?
God has lead me to a Mennonite church for the time-being, since I can't go to liturgy every week (it's far away, and my father doesn't want me to go alone). I do like it there, for now at least. It's very small and welcoming, it doesn't feel corporate and empty. The sun comes in at a lovely angle through the golden stained glass windows in the morning.

 

[Alaskan]

Not only do they not know, but most I've talked to are unfortunately even less keen to try to learn about it at all. They tend to nod politely then shove it off to the side as quick as possible, which is frustrating. That may be just folks in my area though, I can't be sure.
Before really learning things about Orthodoxy, I was already drifting away from the church I was at, and was becoming very unsatisfied with the way they handle things. Massive cool colored sanctuary with expanses of white, empty walls, hard white lights and a handful of stone and colored glass windows (they are lovely, but small and dim). The only depiction of Christ is in the Baptismal and has been covered by a projector screen because they were worried that it would become idol worship to have it there.
Aside from the major theological differences and misunderstandings, many protestant denominations have turned Church into a business prospect. The culture also varies wildly from church to church, even within the same denominations, because none of them follow one set rule. No bishops or archbishops of course. The pastor decides on things, usually with a small group of Elders who get voted into Eldership.
It felt cold. Shouldn't I feel God the most at the wellspring? In my own Church?
God has lead me to a Mennonite church for the time-being, since I can't go to liturgy every week (it's far away, and my father doesn't want me to go alone). I do like it there, for now at least. It's very small and welcoming, it doesn't feel corporate and empty. The sun comes in at a lovely angle through the golden stained glass windows in the morning.

I enjoyed using the Mennonite books for homeschooling. Their explanations of God, in the school books I used, are quite compatible to Orthodoxy.

I have never personally known any Mennonites.

 

[SunriseChickers]

I enjoyed using the Mennonite books for homeschooling. Their explanations of God, in the school books I used, are quite compatible to Orthodoxy.

I have never personally known any Mennonites.

The Mennonite faith is also compatible with Baptist beliefs. The only difference is that the Mennonites are more pacifist than Baptists. It's good to know that it goes with Orthodoxy too!
The only Mennonites I have met have been very welcoming people. You can tell that they practice pacifism, they are lenient to others' actions and behaviors, generally without letting them trample doctrine.
Though some Mennonite churches are somewhat "soft" and at risk of taking some very worldly things as acceptable.
I do like them quite a bit.

 

[SunriseChickers]

Just learned that the church that was to host my bridal shower(the one I have been in the process of leaving, but still had good relationships with the people) has cancelled my usage of the room less than a month out because "we were not informed that the wedding to be performed was of the Greek Orthodox religion". And "to enter into the Greek Orthodox religion presents a conflict with our statement of faith and other beliefs". They were informed and well aware of this fact since spring. I don't know what other, strange religion they take Orthodoxy to be, but apparently it isn't Christian to them!
They sent my parents a formal letter and all. Very upsetting, to say the least. Will have to find another place to have my shower, but I am deeply hurt by their sudden issue with my personal decisions. It wasn't a problem to them before.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Just learned that the church that was to host my bridal shower(the one I have been in the process of leaving, but still had good relationships with the people) has cancelled my usage of the room less than a month out because "we were not informed that the wedding to be performed was of the Greek Orthodox religion". And "to enter into the Greek Orthodox religion presents a conflict with our statement of faith and other beliefs". They were informed and well aware of this fact since spring. I don't know what other, strange religion they take Orthodoxy to be, but apparently it isn't Christian to them!
They sent my parents a formal letter and all. Very upsetting, to say the least. Will have to find another place to have my shower, but I am deeply hurt by their sudden issue with my personal decisions. It wasn't a problem to them before.

Can you have it at your new church?

 

[SunriseChickers]

Can you have it at your new church?

I have only just started going there, and have only visited a handful of times. It's alright though, I have one other place to try and get a room from, and if need be our own house may be able to accommodate it. God will work it all out.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

My church always has baby showers-usually for several mothers at a time lol. If there is a ladie's group they would love to host it I'm sure plus it's a good opportunity to get to know people. I was invited to a baby shower my second Sunday at my new church!