Something that confuses me about Orthodoxy...

[Victrixa]

Hi my Orthodox brethren!

Another question here.

I wonder, if the Orthodox Church is the One True Church founded by Jesus Christ and the Church of Christ, why isn't it found everywhere? Why haven't missionaries gone out in the remotest places of the world (in all the countrysides for example and not just the big cities of the world) to bring the Orthodox church (which seems to be the Church according to Orthodoxy) to them? It baffles me, seriously... why aren't there any Orthodox churches in Quebec countrysides? (or American countrysides, for example) All you see here in Quebec, except in large cities like Montreal and Toronto, are Roman Catholic Churches and a few very small evangelical churches here and there. No Orthodox churches in sight.

If Orthodoxy is necessary for salvation, then why haven't Orthodox Christians sensed the urgency (or why don't they sense the urgency) to establish Orthodox missions (and eventually churches) in the remotest of countryish places?

You see, I'd love to visit an Orthodox church but there is none in sight and there is absolutely no way I can go to Montreal regularly.

Please, I'm not trying to sound harsh or divisive, I'm just looking for explanations.... it gets confusing, you see? (when one looks at the claims of the Orthodox Church)

Seeking for answers,

Caroline

[MrJim]

Hi my Orthodox brethren!

Another question here.

I wonder, if the Orthodox Church is the One True Church founded by Jesus Christ and the Church of Christ, why isn't it found everywhere? Why haven't missionaries gone out in the remotest places of the world (in all the countrysides for example and not just the big cities of the world) to bring the Orthodox church (which seems to be the Church according to Orthodoxy) to them? It baffles me, seriously... why aren't there any Orthodox churches in Quebec countrysides? (or American countrysides, for example) All you see here in Quebec, except in large cities like Montreal and Toronto, are Roman Catholic Churches and a few very small evangelical churches here and there. No Orthodox churches in sight.

If Orthodoxy is necessary for salvation, then why haven't Orthodox Christians sensed the urgency (or why don't they sense the urgency) to establish Orthodox missions (and eventually churches) in the remotest of countryish places?

You see, I'd love to visit an Orthodox church but there is none in sight and there is absolutely no way I can go to Montreal regularly.

Please, I'm not trying to sound harsh or divisive, I'm just looking for explanations.... it gets confusing, you see? (when one looks at the claims of the Orthodox Church)

Seeking for answers,

Caroline

That is a neat question.

[orthodoxy]

Hi my Orthodox brethren!

Another question here.

I wonder, if the Orthodox Church is the One True Church founded by Jesus Christ and the Church of Christ, why isn't it found everywhere? Why haven't missionaries gone out in the remotest places of the world (in all the countrysides for example and not just the big cities of the world) to bring the Orthodox church (which seems to be the Church according to Orthodoxy) to them? It baffles me, seriously... why aren't there any Orthodox churches in Quebec countrysides? (or American countrysides, for example) All you see here in Quebec, except in large cities like Montreal and Toronto, are Roman Catholic Churches and a few very small evangelical churches here and there. No Orthodox churches in sight.

If Orthodoxy is necessary for salvation, then why haven't Orthodox Christians sensed the urgency (or why don't they sense the urgency) to establish Orthodox missions (and eventually churches) in the remotest of countryish places?

You see, I'd love to visit an Orthodox church but there is none in sight and there is absolutely no way I can go to Montreal regularly.

Please, I'm not trying to sound harsh or divisive, I'm just looking for explanations.... it gets confusing, you see? (when one looks at the claims of the Orthodox Church)

Seeking for answers,

Caroline

It is good you question the Orthodox faith.

Jesus Christ said to go out and preach the gospel and that is what orthodox has done for 2000 years. Orthodoxy entered the North American Continent with Leaf Erikson on the late 900's and in Alaska via Russia in 1789 ad. It took Orthodox 700 years to span russia and enter north america. These things take time.

Orthodoxy is a missionary Church. That is the nature of Orthodoxy. Here in Colorado we have an Orthodox Church out on the plains that is in the middle of no where however people from 100 miles are members and travel to attend weekly.

One can begin an orthodox mission by one's self just in prayer. God will add to this Church as He sees fit.

Maybe you are the one being called to start a mission while in the conversion process to Orthodoxy. I have seen this happen. A few people find orthodoxy, begin to live the orthodox life and pray together. Soon it is large enough to support a priest. Our priest travels many miles to keep flegling missions alive with the support of our parish.

I understand your frustration however this should not hinder your desire to investigate the orthodox faith. www.oca.org (http://www.oca.org) is a good place to start learning about orthodoxy.

God bless you if and when you begin your walk into the orthodox faith.

Kyril

[VickiY]

In many countries, the conditions have not permitted it until recently. (Soviet persecutions, etc). However, we are very definitely in all areas of the world, but we also tend to place Churches where there is a concentration of families who will support it. Thus, you will see many in cities, and large towns (think, over 30,000), but fewer if there is not a great enough demand for them. Our monasteries are in the middle of nowhere, generally, and people drive hours to reach them. We have many Churches in Quebec...and a monastery or two, IIRC.

[gzt]

Well, we have/had missionaries in East Asia [including China], you really should read of the missionaries to Alaska. The Russians sent missionaries out all across Siberia to get to all of the remote country places. There are some parishes in Quebec, but you're right, not many and not in the countryside.

It's not urgent in the sense that you're not automatically damned if you aren't Orthodox. Ideally, yes, everybody in the world would have reasonable access to an Orthodox parish and we're working on providing that ideal. Conversion takes a long time and sometimes the nations don't want to cooperate. And there's sort of a chicken/egg problem: for there to be parishes in the countryside, there need to be Orthodox in the countryside. For there to be Orthodox in the countryside, there need to be parishes in the countyside.

Generally, though, those who are interested in converting but are unable to regularly attend Orthodox services because of distance make arrangements with the priest and attend as able, even if it is only once per month or a few times per year.

[Akathist]

Eastern Orthodoxy is found through out the world. We have spread and have sent missionaries many many places. However, keep in mind that to be Eastern Orthodox is to start on a difficult course. This is an ascetic life. The process of conversion is long, often a year or more. We have a shortage of Priests. Also, our congregations are often poor in funds. Much of EO has been hurt by economic issues that go back to the Turks.

However, EO is growing. In the US I am told it is growing more in the Mid West than anywhere else in the U.S. As it grows in the US, more men will become Priests.

Also, consider that in some part of the world, the EO church is huge, the largest church in some countries by far.

[ConanTheLibrarian]

That brings up a related question: What do you do if you're in an isolated area, far from the nearest Orthodox church? I have been attracted to Orhtodoxy for years, but my main reason for remaining officially Lutheran is that, in the U.S. at least, it is far easier to find a Lutheran church in any given community that it is to find an Orthodox church. We are privileged to have a chaplain here this year, but he leaves next June. There is the cathedral in Seoul but that is 2 hours away from here and not in English. It will be much more difficult then.

[Matrona]

I wonder, if the Orthodox Church is the One True Church founded by Jesus Christ and the Church of Christ, why isn't it found everywhere?

Where was the Church in 33 A.D.? Could someone have found Christian churches down the road in Britain then, or in China, or North America?

Why haven't missionaries gone out in the remotest places of the world (in all the countrysides for example and not just the big cities of the world) to bring the Orthodox church (which seems to be the Church according to Orthodoxy) to them?

We have, and we're working on more. :) There's even a little Orthodox church located in Antarctica, which was sent there to serve workers at a research station.

[Oblio]

Seeing as we are the second largest Church, I think we have done pretty well, and much of our evangelization was completed centuries ago (Russia, Eastern Europe) :) Also, after the Schism, what would have been the Western part of Orthodoxy was evangelized by the RCC. If not for that, the vast majority of Christians would be EO. Add to that the tragedy of the Russian revolution and it's effect on the Church of Russia and her efforts throughout the West.

[Monica, child of God]

It is also important not to underestimate the effect of Islam on Orthodox Christianity in the Middle East and North Africa. From the 1st centuries, Christianity grew rapidly in Africa and was steadily moving southward. The some of the first monastics, and later the first monasteries, were founded in North Africa. Then the followers of Muhammed swept in and began persecutions that continue to this day. But, glory to God (!), Orthodox Christianity is growing once again in Africa. (Saints Augustine, Monica and Anthony pray for your earthly homeland!)

Many, many horrible things have happened and continue to occur to Orthodox Christians at the hands of Muslims which makes it difficult to do the kind of evangelical outreach that you are probably familiar with. Plus, that is just not our style :)

M.

[OnTheWay]

Hi my Orthodox brethren!

Another question here.

I wonder, if the Orthodox Church is the One True Church founded by Jesus Christ and the Church of Christ, why isn't it found everywhere? Why haven't missionaries gone out in the remotest places of the world (in all the countrysides for example and not just the big cities of the world) to bring the Orthodox church (which seems to be the Church according to Orthodoxy) to them? It baffles me, seriously... why aren't there any Orthodox churches in Quebec countrysides? (or American countrysides, for example) All you see here in Quebec, except in large cities like Montreal and Toronto, are Roman Catholic Churches and a few very small evangelical churches here and there. No Orthodox churches in sight.


It would be greatly appericated in the future if you could chose your language more wisely. This isn't a debate borad.
The Orthodox Church has active missions all around the world, from North America to Africa and Asia.
If one is lucky enough to live in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska one can visit many of the historical missions and parishes of American Orthodoxy.
For many centuries Orthodoxy was boxed on the west by the Roman Church. After nearly a century under the militant atheists the Great See of Orthodoxy in Moscow is still recovering, however, that has not stopped the growth of Orthodoxy in western Europe and North America.
So in being realistic, one can find Orthodoxy anywhere in the world.

[xristos.anesti]

Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem... Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

Jn IV, 21-24.

[Theophorus]

We visited a ROCOR mission meeting in the chapel of an Anglican church last week. My family outnumbered that of the congregation, plus there was a mother and a daughter visiting that were not Orthodox so it was 9 to 5, vistors to members. We did the 3rd and 6th hours plus the Typikon. A priest gets there every 6 weeks for liturgy. The chanting was two part harmony and very well done. The "soprano" explained to me that if the bass can't make it, she switches from Russian style to Byzantine as it is easier going solo that way.

[Oblio]

It would be greatly appericated in the future if you could chose your language more wisely. This isn't a debate borad.


I don't think the OP was meant as a debate, but an honest (and good) question. We should be ready, willing and able to respond in kindness to such inquiries about the Orthodox Faith.

[Victrixa]

Thank you all for the very interesting responses.

If I sounded rude, please forgive me. That wasn't my intention. I just didn't know how to word my long question.

I understand that a mission would have to start with a few people in one area. It can be just kind of frustrating when it is impossible for one to travel to an Orthodox church far away.

I was just wondering how one could be Orthodox without any Orthodox churches in the surrounding areas.

Thanks everyone! That was very interesting. :)

[repentant]

Honestly, no offense, but the OP has no idea what they are saying and I believe is maybe trying to stir up something.There are Orthodox Churches and missionary's on every continent. Ever heard of Fr. Kosmas Grigoriatis? He is called the Apostle to Zaire. He helped bring Orthodoxy to Zaire, and other parts of Africa. Also the Elder Ephraim has 16 monastery's and counting here in the US, and they are in remote areas, not big city's. 1000's of people a year go to them to visit, Orthodox and non Orthodox alike. There are Orthodox Church's in Australia, Asia (I personally know Metropolitan Nikita of Hong Kong), developed and undeveloped country's.

I think people need to stop with the assumptions. They see an Orthodox Church in a big city (why wouldn't there be?) and assume they are only in big cities.

[Akathist]

I don't think they are necessarily trying to stir anything up. Before I visited the first EO church, I didn't know there were hardly any in the midwest state that I live in. I call EO the world's best kept secret. It was right there in front of me but I never knew about it.

[Oblio]

Honestly, no offense, but the OP has no idea what they are saying and I believe is maybe trying to stir up something.There are Orthodox Churches and missionary's on every continent.


Give it a rest. Apparently they are hard to find in her area. The OP was asking a question, rather than accusing and berating, how about suggestions on how to find an Orthodox Church to visit, or perhaps find a priest to talk with. Or maybe you are giving an indirect answer to her question :(

[Victrixa]

repentant,

I wrote the OP.

As you said, I don't know what I'm talking about here and am in complete ignorance in regards to the Orthodox Church. This is why I am asking questions.

I just found it a little odd that the Orthodox Church is found nowhere in rural Quebec, for example, but I understand, as was mentioned before, the Roman Catholic Church took over in the West, probably not leaving any room for other churches.

Thanks for the answers and I really didn't mean to debate, stir up anything or be rude. I was just puzzled and confused and trying to understand. And if you were standing before me and I would have asked you the same question in the same words, my voice would have been soft and gentle as is my nature. As you know, this is the Internet, a totally cold and impersonal world (yet interesting to communicate with other people with). :)

Shalom. :wave:

[MariaRegina]

If you mentioned a city that you lived near, or even a town, maybe there might be a church or a mission.

If you look in the phone book, that could be the problem. A lot of churches here in the LA area don't bother to list in the yellow pages, but only in the white pages.

this can be a problem.

Joy of All who Sorrow Orthodox Church.

The Assumption Orthodox Church

Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church

Holy Virgin Mary Cathedral

Some churches begin with a Saint but not all do. That was my problem.

St. Luke

St. Paul the Apostle

[repentant]

Thank you all for the very interesting responses.

If I sounded rude, please forgive me. That wasn't my intention. I just didn't know how to word my long question.

I understand that a mission would have to start with a few people in one area. It can be just kind of frustrating when it is impossible for one to travel to an Orthodox church far away.

I was just wondering how one could be Orthodox without any Orthodox churches in the surrounding areas.

Thanks everyone! That was very interesting. :)

I am sorry my friend is from Quebec (outside of Montreal) and he is very much Orthodox and goes to Church. I would think there is some up there.

[repentant]

Thank you all for the very interesting responses.

If I sounded rude, please forgive me. That wasn't my intention. I just didn't know how to word my long question.

I understand that a mission would have to start with a few people in one area. It can be just kind of frustrating when it is impossible for one to travel to an Orthodox church far away.

I was just wondering how one could be Orthodox without any Orthodox churches in the surrounding areas.

Thanks everyone! That was very interesting. :)

I am sorry my friend is from Quebec (outside of Montreal) and he is very much Orthodox and goes to Church. I would think there is some up there.

These are just the Greek Churches..

Chomedy Laval

St. Nicholas H7V 1X3
3780 Du Souvenir
(514) 688-2084
Fax:: (514) 688-2091
Rev. Vasilios Tsaprailis

Holy Cross (H7W 1G1)
4865 Du Souvenir
(514) 973-3773

V. Rev. Nectarios Mostratos


Dollard Des Ormeaux (H9B 2N8)

SS. Constantine & Helen
20 Brunswick Blvd.
(514) 684-6462
Fr. Lambros Kamperidis

Quebec City G1R 2A3)

Evangelismos
17 Rene Levesque Boulevard
(418) 523-8564
Fr. Haralambos Tzintis

St. Hubert

St. John the Baptist (J3Y 1V1)
4350 Montee St. Hubert
(514) 676-4027
V. Rev. Andreas Desypris

St. Marina (J3Y 1A1)
5220 Grande Allee
(514) 656-4832
(Serviced by: Rev. Lefkios Christodoulidis)

Ville LaSalle (H8P 1Y5)

St. Dionysios
7707 LaSalle Boulevard
(514) 364-5442
Rev. Zisi Nterekas

Montreal Archangels (H4J 1R7)
11801 Elie Blanchard Boulevard
(514) 334- 6868 Fax: 334-6040
Rev. Stephen Smith

Evangelismos (H3N 2K3)
777 St. Roch Street
(514-273-9796
Fax: (514) 738-5466
Rev. Panagiotis Pavlakos

St. George (H3T 1A8)
2455 Cote St. Catherine Road
(514) 738-9360
Fax (514) 738-5466
Rev. Panagiotis Salatellis

The Hellenic Community of Montreal (H3S 2V7)
5777 Wilderton Avenue
(514) 738-2421; 340-3550

Holy Trinity (H3N 1Z5)
Temporarily closed.

Koimisis (H3N 2E6)
7700 De L'Epee St. Park Ext.
(514) 273-9888
Rev. Nicholas Papageorgiou

St. Markella (H2T 2X1)
5390 St. Urbain Street
(514) 270-4513

Monastery..
Virgin Mary of Consolation
827 Chemin de la Carrierre
Township of Chatham
Co. of Agenteuil, Quebec J0V 1A0
telephone and fax: 514-533-4313

[VickiY]

The issue may well be that Quebec, as predominantly French, is also a predominantly RC province. In Winnipeg, Manitoba, for instance, there are over a dozen Orthodox Churches.

Please PM me with your city, and I'll be happy to find you the info for the closest Orthodox Church to you.

It can be a real issue that many Orthodox Churches do NOT list themselves in the yellow pages, OR in the white pages. And the Greek Orthodox Churches used to be under a directive to list themselves in the white pages as "Greek Orthodox Church of St. Whomever".

Please feel free to PM me, as I can also tell you which Churches on a given list are not churches in communion with the Orthodox Church, but splinter groups and schisms that are calling themselves Orthodox.

[repentant]

Ukranian Orthodox...
QUEBEC


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MONTREAL

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ST. SOPHIE CATHEDRAL
6250-12eme Ave., Montreal, QC, H1X 3A5

Served by:
Rev. Fr. V. KOUCHNIR, Pastor
Phone: (514) 727-2236
www.StSophieCathedral.Org


Attached to the Cathedral:
V. Rev. Archpriest Z. REVKO
Phone: (514) 376-5201



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ST. MARY THE PROTECTRESS
2246 Rosemont Blvd., Montreal, QC, H2G 1T5

Served by:

Very Rev. Archpriest Dr. Ihor G. KUTASH
Phone: (514) 276-2477;
wireless: (514) 591-5329
Very Rev. Archpriest Fr. G. BRYGIDYR, on leave
www.montreal-hromada-pokrova.org


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LACHINE

ST. GEORGE
880 St. Antoine St., Lachine, QC, H8S 1T1
Served by:
Rev. Fr. E. RUDITCH, Pastor
Phone: (514) 624-0476

Romanian..

QUEBEC

MONTRÉAL:

St John the Baptist Romanian Orthodox Cathedral
1841 Masson St • Montréal QC H2H lAl 514-527-3314
web: www.bor-montreal.ca

Priest: V. Rev. Protopop George Chişcă
6340 Boul Saint-Michel • Montréal QC H1Y 2E7 514-727-3527

Cantors: George Vătui • e-mail: vgeorge82@yahoo.ca
105-5488 Av Avonmore • Montréal QC H3X 1Z3 514-483-6536
Marian Vătui • e-mail:vgyo@hotmail.com
105-5488 Av Avonmore • Montréal QC H3X 1Z3 514-483-6536

Bogdan Andrei

Parish Council President: Iulian Mihai Hurba • iulianh@securenet.net
664 Duchesneau • Laval QC H7A 3W7 514-802-8940

Ladies’ Auxiliary President: Rodica Popa
3050 rue William • Saint-Hubert QC J4T 3K2 450-466-7394

Youth President: Mihai Georgescu • e-mail: fgeorgescu@videotron.ca
1333 Av Victoria • St-Lambert QC J4R 1R4 450-465-4234



Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel
Romanian Orthodox Church
807 Av Sainte-Croix • Saint-Laurent QC H4L 3X6 514-824-4627
web: www.bor-sfarhangheli-montreal.com
e-mail: sfintiiarhangheli@yahoo.ca

Priest: Rev. Fr. Constantin Ciubotariu • e-mail: cciubo@yahoo.fr
5885 Coolbrook Ave • Montréal QC H3X 2M5 514-344-4384

Cantors:

1. Luiza-Izabela Toma

1430 Rue Saint-Marc App. 909 • Montreal QC. H3H 2G3 514-931-6991

2. Corina Popescu

6010 Ch. De la Cote St-Luc App. 209 • Montreal QC. H3X 2G6...514-488-7722

3. Gabriela Iorga

5208 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest • Montreal QC. H4C 1T3 514-989-0309

4. Ana-Rosa Stefanescu

939 Ave. Davaar • Montreal QC. H2V 3B7 514-276-2876

Parish Council President: Catalin Gugui • e-mail: ynguguy@sympatico.ca
105-2444 Benny Cres • Montreal QC H4B 2R3
Cell: 514-229-8949 514-483-5665



ST. GEORGE ROMANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

Services at: 2190 Andre • Brossard QC

web: www.sf-gheorghe-rivesud.ca

Priest: Rev. Fr. Ioan Felician Zinca • e-mail: zincafelician@yahoo.com

2525 Aubert #17 • Brossard QC J4Z 2V6 450-445-3285

Mobil: 514-804-3285



MONASTÈRE ORTHODOXE DE LA PROTECTION DE LA MÈRE DE DIEU

Higoumène: Hieromoine Cyrille Bradette • d.bradette@sympatico.ca
1525 40e Av • Montreal QC H1A 3G9 514-642-5533

[Victrixa]

Hey, thanks for all your help dear friends! I'm not saying it's totally impossible to attend an Orthodox church over here somewhere, just that my situation doesn't allow me to travel often. Church must be like 5 minutes away.... :) If there would have been one in my area I would certainly have visited...

But maybe who knows one day...

Not that I wish to convert to Orthodoxy (but who knows anyways?) but I'd very much love to visit Orthodox churches and attend Divine Liturgy sometimes... but who knows what the future holds...

I appreciate all your responses and help. :hug:

[Victrixa]

Thank you repentant.

I think I'll copy and paste your lists and print them for future references. :)

[Prawnik]

Traditionally, evengelization in foreign lands is related to political influence. Quebec has a lot of Catholics, because of Quebec's heritage from France, traditionally a nominally Catholic country. Namibia is some 90% Lutheran, because it used to be a German colony. Latin America - Catholic, following Spain. After the British took over the Indian subcontinent, Anglican missionaries flooded in, and Alaska has a large Orthodox population on account of its history as a Russian possession. Before the Boxer Rebellion, Orthodoxy was the most widespread form of Christianity in China, also reflecting Russian influence.

Modern evangelization has as much to do with money as anything. All traditionally Orthodox countries are relatively poor (Greece being most likely the richest), and their churches are cash-poor. This makes sponsoring missionaries an uphill struggle, especially missionaries to the much more expensive West.

American evangelical protestants, Mormons, etc. are not operating at this disadvantage, so they can send out large numbers of missionaries, especially to poorer countries.

[gzt]

There were also a lot of Catholics in China at the time of teh Boxer Rebellion, I'm not sure whether Orthodox outnumbered them. Still, the point remains: significant Orthodox presence due to Russian trade.

[Prawnik]

Admittedly, my source is "Christ the Eternal Tao" and my memory, both of which may or may not be biased.

Not that accurate censuses existed in China in those days anyway.