Joining

[G4m]

What, if any are the requirements for joining the Orthodox church?

[countrymousenc]

Hi G4m :) Potential converts go through a period of study, usually with the parish priest, and the priest evaluates their readiness. I don't remember (sorry!) whether you've said before that you've been visiting a parish, but if you have, talk to the priest about it, and he can tell you whatever you need to know. Basically, it's important that you know the basics of Orthodox belief and practice, and are ready to commit yourself to the Orthodox way of life.

[vanshan]

Country mouse gave you a good answer, to which I would just like to add that that the time varies for one to be received. For me it was a short period of time and for others I've heard it took almost a year.

If you are a baptized Christian you normally are received through a chrismation service which involves being annointed with oil and officially renouncing any wrong beliefs you may have held in the past. It's a great service. If you have not been baptized then you will be received through that sacrament.

Basil

[Suzannah]

Dear G4!!!
Good to see you as always...

I would like to add that sometimes baptism is re-done at the decision of the Bishop. The reasons for this might be that the person was baptised in a Non-Trinitarian church such as Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormons, or perhaps United Pent. Additionally, if one is married, the Church encourages couples to be "together" that is to say, to encourage them to enter the Church together. So if one converts, and the other does not, but at a later time decides to do so, the Church may allow that person to enter immediately without any study, because their spouse is a member, and they do not wish to put anything between a husband and a wife. Same with the children of a convert.

In my own case as an example.
I came to the Church wishing to convert. My baptism/chrismation was put off to wait for my husband and my mother, who later decided to join me. My daughter does not have to have very much formal catechism, just a little bit, since it is expected (rightly so) that she will receive full catechesis at home in the course of daily living. The preparation and study fall upon me and my husband. My mother is on a seperate "track" so to speak, but our Priest wants to have one dunking session for all of us. :)

Technically speaking, my mother and I do not have to be re-baptised (we were baptised Lutherans), but our Bishop has allowed it, so that we may all enter the Church together as a family as my daughter was not properly baptised and my husband is an ex-Mormon. Afterwards, my husband and I will be married in the Church as another Sacrament, in order to help solidify our marriage.

I hope this example is helpful....

[The Virginian]

What, if any are the requirements for joining the Orthodox church?
Imade this statement to someone else, and yes it will seem to a matter of semantics; however, one does not join the Orthodox Church, you are received into the Church. The Early church had cathecumenate classes for three years, simply to attest the sincerity of the professed desire. The end of those classes usually took place on Pascha, which includes renounciation of satan, Baptism, and finally Holy Chrism & Chrismation.
The length of the classes now vary, as does the date of chrismation. In the classes you'll find that re-orienting the way you think of things is a must. And, some things -for lack of a better word- you will have to swallow. Cathecumen classes and other requirements may ver well vary according to jurisdiction and parish; therefore, asking your priest is vital.


the sinful and unworthy servant

[The Virginian]

My editing skills must improve, drastically!!!

[Eusebios]

Hello G4,
Others have done a wonderful job answering.
In our parish, Fr. likes people to experience one entire liturgical year befor being received. As others have stated, the period of catechesis often varies as does the means of reception, which will always involve, at a minmum, charismation. (annointing with Holy Chrism)
In Xp,
Eusebios.
:bow:

[G4m]

Dear G4!!!
Good to see you as always...

I would like to add that sometimes baptism is re-done at the decision of the Bishop. The reasons for this might be that the person was baptised in a Non-Trinitarian church such as Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormons, or perhaps United Pent. Additionally, if one is married, the Church encourages couples to be "together" that is to say, to encourage them to enter the Church together. So if one converts, and the other does not, but at a later time decides to do so, the Church may allow that person to enter immediately without any study, because their spouse is a member, and they do not wish to put anything between a husband and a wife. Same with the children of a convert.

In my own case as an example.
I came to the Church wishing to convert. My baptism/chrismation was put off to wait for my husband and my mother, who later decided to join me. My daughter does not have to have very much formal catechism, just a little bit, since it is expected (rightly so) that she will receive full catechesis at home in the course of daily living. The preparation and study fall upon me and my husband. My mother is on a seperate "track" so to speak, but our Priest wants to have one dunking session for all of us. :)

Technically speaking, my mother and I do not have to be re-baptised (we were baptised Lutherans), but our Bishop has allowed it, so that we may all enter the Church together as a family as my daughter was not properly baptised and my husband is an ex-Mormon. Afterwards, my husband and I will be married in the Church as another Sacrament, in order to help solidify our marriage.

I hope this example is helpful....
As always thank you for the warm welcome Suzannah. :wave:

You actually answered a few questions I had coming up! Thanks!

[G4m]

Imade this statement to someone else, and yes it will seem to a matter of semantics; however, one does not join the Orthodox Church, you are received into the Church. The Early church had cathecumenate classes for three years, simply to attest the sincerity of the professed desire. The end of those classes usually took place on Pascha, which includes renounciation of satan, Baptism, and finally Holy Chrism & Chrismation.
The length of the classes now vary, as does the date of chrismation. In the classes you'll find that re-orienting the way you think of things is a must. And, some things -for lack of a better word- you will have to swallow. Cathecumen classes and other requirements may ver well vary according to jurisdiction and parish; therefore, asking your priest is vital.


the sinful and unworthy servant
Thanks! I wouldn't say its semantics and I actually like the difference! :)

Can I ask one question though, you made mention that in the early church the classes were for three years. What time frame are you using for "early church"?

Thanks!

[Suzannah]

Thanks! I wouldn't say its semantics and I actually like the difference! :)

Can I ask one question though, you made mention that in the early church the classes were for three years. What time frame are you using for "early church"?

Thanks!
I'm sure he meant the first century. :)

[G4m]

I'm sure he meant the first century. :)
I thought so, I just didn't want to assume. :)

[Suzannah]

You can find a great deal of info in The Teachings and Constitutions of the Apostles. I think it might be out of print, but there was a set by Eerdman's Publishing, that had these in one volume....This is where you will find the "set up" of the Orthodox church and how they did things . You will find that little has changed.

[SaintGeorge]

What if you had a Trinitarian Baptism but want to be rebaptised, because you really didn't fully understand Christianity or salvation prior to or for a loooooong time after your first one? Can you do it?

[Suzannah]

What if you had a Trinitarian Baptism but want to be rebaptised, because you really didn't fully understand Christianity or salvation prior to or for a loooooong time after your first one? Can you do it?
It is entirely up to the Bishop because in the Creed, we confess "one baptism for the remission of sins."


Remember that Christianity was not just meant to be believed, as in "understood". It is meant most importantly to be lived in a life of repentence and mercy.

[ufonium2]

What if you had a Trinitarian Baptism but want to be rebaptised, because you really didn't fully understand Christianity or salvation prior to or for a loooooong time after your first one? Can you do it?
You probably could, but a better question is whether you should. I don't remember my baptism; I was like six weeks old. So, it's pretty safe to say I didn't fully understand anything, much less Christianity, at that point. I don't fully understand Christianity right now, and I won't while I'm alive.

The idea of a "believer's baptism," only when you are old enough to make an informed decision, is a recent Protestant idea found nowhere in the first 1600 years or so of Christianity and definitely nowhere in the Orthodox Church. Our Church baptizes and communes infants, after all.

I was sprinkled, not immersed, but although that's not the preferred Orthodox method it was good enough for my bishop, so it's good enough for me. Remember, the first person to enter Heaven, the repentant thief on the cross, wasn't baptized at all. Apparently, God is a lot less legalistic about this than some of our Protestant friends.

[Theophorus]

In my case, I would say that the number 1 prerequisite was humility. :)

It is so much a part of being orthodox, and permeates many of the traditions.