Going to a Coptic Church this weekend.

[GabrielWithoutWings]

Greetings everyone.

I'm going to a Coptic Church this weekend for the first time (my faith icon will read Oriental, but I'm not officially part of anything yet).

I've read every page of this forum, so I think I've got a fair idea of what will be going on.

Any suggestions that may not have been posted from you folks?

Thanks for your time.

-Gabriel

[copticorthodoxy]

Welcome to the ancient Orthodox Church , Welcome to one of the oldest churches in the world
I am very Glad for you , and i hope that you enjoy your visting to the Coptic Orthodox Church , Tell us which church you will visit , if you will attend the liturgy i recommend you to go from the begining of the liturgy , also you can talk there with the Priest of the Church ..
tell us please why you intersted in the Oriental Orthodoxy..... you can ask about anything here .

[GabrielWithoutWings]

Welcome to the ancient Orthodox Church , Welcome to one of the oldest churches in the world

Thank you. :D

I am very Glad for you , and i hope that you enjoy your visting to the Coptic Orthodox Church , Tell us which church you will visit , if you will attend the liturgy i recommend you to go from the begining of the liturgy , also you can talk there with the Priest of the Church ..

I will be attending Saint Mina's in Nashville, TN. I've already spoken with the priest, Fr. Boutros, and he seems like a pleasant gentleman. Liturgy starts at 8 am there, so I'll have to get up at 6 am to be there on time, but I'm sure God will honor my sacrifice (what little it is, compared to other things). He seems "Americanized," so if he's from Egypt, his accent has all but disappeard. Most likely a convert, but a nice fellow nonetheless.

tell us please why you intersted in the Oriental Orthodoxy..... you can ask about anything here .

Why am I interested in Coptic Orthodoxy....

Allow me to tell you what I've been searching for:

Truth (with a capital T).

I've never been baptised, never had much of a churchy upbringing (I'm an almost unheard of anomaly in the southern United States), so I've been able to study different world religions with no preconceived bias towards any of them. I've studied Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, Islam, Sikhism, Hinduism, Yezidism, Baha'i, Wicca, Reconstructionist religions like Asatru and Khemeticism, Judaism, and Eastern religions like Taoism and Buddhism.

I was about this close |-| to being a Roman Catholic, once upon a time. Unfortunately, that didn't work out so well, since the RCIA director and the priest decided that I "wasn't ready" for the Church (whatever that means). I kindly reminded them that Jesus ate with those who were despised, and that he came to heal the sick. So, I got angry and dismissed Christianity due to the actions of two people. Stupid, yes, but coming from a non-religious background, it didn't phase me as bad as it would someone else, in my opinion.

So, I had to start over. I decided to start at atheism. I then took the logical approach and asked if God *could* exist. The answer is, yes. Therefore, I moved to agnosticism. I then asked, that given everything I see around me, and all of the "just so happens" type of phenomena lurking around every scientific corner, plus examining the cosmological arguments and reading The Case for Christ, the Case for Faith, and the Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel, I decided that God *had* to exist.

The last logical step (which is where I am now) is to find out *what* God is the true God. After "discovering" Eastern Orthodoxy again, I delved into it enough to learn that it is more true to the original faith than that of Roman Catholicism, in my opinion. I then delved deeper, and again "discovered" the Coptic Church (I didn't know about the Indian, Armenian, Eritrean, and Ethiopian churches being non-Chalcedonian before then).

After reading the hoo-hah that happened at the 4th Council, I decided that the Coptic and her sister churches were truer to the original faith. I'm still undecided as to how far reunification is between the two, but I believe the Eastern churches and the Oriental churches are closer to each other than a man and his jugular vein (to steal an arabic phrase for a moment).

So, that's my story so far. Sorry it was so long. I got a bit carried away there. But, that's me (in the short version, if you can believe that).

Thanks for having me on this forum. If I can think of any specific questions to ask, I won't hesitate.

Lord Have Mercy,

-Gabriel

[copticorthodoxy]

Thanks for sharing your story with us , i will wait to know how was your visit to the church , God Bless You

[Yeznik]

Thank you. :D



I will be attending Saint Mina's in Nashville, TN. I've already spoken with the priest, Fr. Boutros, and he seems like a pleasant gentleman. Liturgy starts at 8 am there, so I'll have to get up at 6 am to be there on time, but I'm sure God will honor my sacrifice (what little it is, compared to other things). He seems "Americanized," so if he's from Egypt, his accent has all but disappeard. Most likely a convert, but a nice fellow nonetheless.



Why am I interested in Coptic Orthodoxy....

Allow me to tell you what I've been searching for:

Truth (with a capital T).

I've never been baptised, never had much of a churchy upbringing (I'm an almost unheard of anomaly in the southern United States), so I've been able to study different world religions with no preconceived bias towards any of them. I've studied Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, Islam, Sikhism, Hinduism, Yezidism, Baha'i, Wicca, Reconstructionist religions like Asatru and Khemeticism, Judaism, and Eastern religions like Taoism and Buddhism.

I was about this close |-| to being a Roman Catholic, once upon a time. Unfortunately, that didn't work out so well, since the RCIA director and the priest decided that I "wasn't ready" for the Church (whatever that means). I kindly reminded them that Jesus ate with those who were despised, and that he came to heal the sick. So, I got angry and dismissed Christianity due to the actions of two people. Stupid, yes, but coming from a non-religious background, it didn't phase me as bad as it would someone else, in my opinion.

So, I had to start over. I decided to start at atheism. I then took the logical approach and asked if God *could* exist. The answer is, yes. Therefore, I moved to agnosticism. I then asked, that given everything I see around me, and all of the "just so happens" type of phenomena lurking around every scientific corner, plus examining the cosmological arguments and reading The Case for Christ, the Case for Faith, and the Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel, I decided that God *had* to exist.

The last logical step (which is where I am now) is to find out *what* God is the true God. After "discovering" Eastern Orthodoxy again, I delved into it enough to learn that it is more true to the original faith than that of Roman Catholicism, in my opinion. I then delved deeper, and again "discovered" the Coptic Church (I didn't know about the Indian, Armenian, Eritrean, and Ethiopian churches being non-Chalcedonian before then).

After reading the hoo-hah that happened at the 4th Council, I decided that the Coptic and her sister churches were truer to the original faith. I'm still undecided as to how far reunification is between the two, but I believe the Eastern churches and the Oriental churches are closer to each other than a man and his jugular vein (to steal an arabic phrase for a moment).

So, that's my story so far. Sorry it was so long. I got a bit carried away there. But, that's me (in the short version, if you can believe that).

Thanks for having me on this forum. If I can think of any specific questions to ask, I won't hesitate.

Lord Have Mercy,

-Gabriel

Thats a great story. Welcome !

[copticorthodoxy]

Thats a great story. Welcome !

Hello Yeznik ,
where have you been ??

[Joshua83]

Thank you. :D



I will be attending Saint Mina's in Nashville, TN. I've already spoken with the priest, Fr. Boutros, and he seems like a pleasant gentleman. Liturgy starts at 8 am there, so I'll have to get up at 6 am to be there on time, but I'm sure God will honor my sacrifice (what little it is, compared to other things). He seems "Americanized," so if he's from Egypt, his accent has all but disappeard. Most likely a convert, but a nice fellow nonetheless.



Why am I interested in Coptic Orthodoxy....

Allow me to tell you what I've been searching for:

Truth (with a capital T).

I've never been baptised, never had much of a churchy upbringing (I'm an almost unheard of anomaly in the southern United States), so I've been able to study different world religions with no preconceived bias towards any of them. I've studied Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, Islam, Sikhism, Hinduism, Yezidism, Baha'i, Wicca, Reconstructionist religions like Asatru and Khemeticism, Judaism, and Eastern religions like Taoism and Buddhism.

I was about this close |-| to being a Roman Catholic, once upon a time. Unfortunately, that didn't work out so well, since the RCIA director and the priest decided that I "wasn't ready" for the Church (whatever that means). I kindly reminded them that Jesus ate with those who were despised, and that he came to heal the sick. So, I got angry and dismissed Christianity due to the actions of two people. Stupid, yes, but coming from a non-religious background, it didn't phase me as bad as it would someone else, in my opinion.

So, I had to start over. I decided to start at atheism. I then took the logical approach and asked if God *could* exist. The answer is, yes. Therefore, I moved to agnosticism. I then asked, that given everything I see around me, and all of the "just so happens" type of phenomena lurking around every scientific corner, plus examining the cosmological arguments and reading The Case for Christ, the Case for Faith, and the Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel, I decided that God *had* to exist.

The last logical step (which is where I am now) is to find out *what* God is the true God. After "discovering" Eastern Orthodoxy again, I delved into it enough to learn that it is more true to the original faith than that of Roman Catholicism, in my opinion. I then delved deeper, and again "discovered" the Coptic Church (I didn't know about the Indian, Armenian, Eritrean, and Ethiopian churches being non-Chalcedonian before then).

After reading the hoo-hah that happened at the 4th Council, I decided that the Coptic and her sister churches were truer to the original faith. I'm still undecided as to how far reunification is between the two, but I believe the Eastern churches and the Oriental churches are closer to each other than a man and his jugular vein (to steal an arabic phrase for a moment).

So, that's my story so far. Sorry it was so long. I got a bit carried away there. But, that's me (in the short version, if you can believe that).

Thanks for having me on this forum. If I can think of any specific questions to ask, I won't hesitate.

Lord Have Mercy,

-Gabriel
Just like you, I have also been searching for truth. Which is of course why I am wanting to become a part of the Oriental Churches. The fact they have kept the true tradition of Christianity and like Christ Himself, have suffered alot and all. I have stated previously in my other posts here on CF how I don't care ahout which OO Church I join, and I say that because partly I'm interested in all of the OO. And I'd like to learn enough information about all the OO Churches. Although I am leaning towards either the Coptic, Ethiopian, or Syriac churhces. I pray that Holy Spirit contiues to guide all of us in our searches for truth.

[copticorthodoxy]

How was your visit to the Coptic Orthodox Church ???

[GabrielWithoutWings]

How was your visit to the Coptic Orthodox Church ???

To be honest, it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. I figured that the church would be a welcoming place, but I felt very, VERY out of place there.

I arrived at the church before the liturgy and took a seat in the back, because I'm a wallflower like that.

People began to shuffle in, and take their places. No one acknowledged me. Certainly, I can understand that those folks aren't going to just run up and embrace me, but I'd at least like a nod of recognition. But, that's a bit petty of me.

Anyways, the liturgy began, and I listened with my heart as open as I could.

The problem being, is that the priest had a young boy of about 10-12 years of age and another of about... 8? They were the ones that were doing the most talking.

They were speaking mostly English, but they were moving so very fast that I couldn't understand a word of what they were saying.

The priest began to walk around the church with the... incense bell thing (I can't ever remember what that's called). He grabbed a liturgy book off the shelf as he walked past and handed it to me.

Now, I admit, that was nice of him, but since the liturgy was well underway, I couldn't find where we were in the service, and I couldn't understand what they were saying.

Also, I'm really big into chanting. I LOVE chanting. I play guitar, so anything with harmonies or microtones just get me giddy.

They weren't really chanting. They were just talking fast. Very fast.

So, after an hour and 15 minutes of trying my best to listen, I decided to get up and leave. I felt bad for it, as though I were abandoning those folks, but I really felt like I didn't belong there.

I needed some liturgy to listen to, so I went to the Greek Orthodox church that's down the road from the coptic church, and stayed for the entire service, which was very, very good.

Now, for you Orientals reading this, I want to make one thing perfectly clear:

I am not belittling your faith. I am not belittling that particular community of believers.

I know when I'm too out of place, and I was out of place there. Very, very ethnic oriented. Plus, the service is in not one, not two, but three languages.

Like I said, I believe the Oriental churches and the Eastern churches are closer to each other than a man and his jugular vein.

That's my church story. No fireworks, no bells and whistles.

Y'all have a nice day.

[copticorthodoxy]

To be honest, it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. I figured that the church would be a welcoming place, but I felt very, VERY out of place there.

I arrived at the church before the liturgy and took a seat in the back, because I'm a wallflower like that.

People began to shuffle in, and take their places. No one acknowledged me. Certainly, I can understand that those folks aren't going to just run up and embrace me, but I'd at least like a nod of recognition. But, that's a bit petty of me.

Anyways, the liturgy began, and I listened with my heart as open as I could.

The problem being, is that the priest had a young boy of about 10-12 years of age and another of about... 8? They were the ones that were doing the most talking.

They were speaking mostly English, but they were moving so very fast that I couldn't understand a word of what they were saying.

The priest began to walk around the church with the... incense bell thing (I can't ever remember what that's called). He grabbed a liturgy book off the shelf as he walked past and handed it to me.

Now, I admit, that was nice of him, but since the liturgy was well underway, I couldn't find where we were in the service, and I couldn't understand what they were saying.

Also, I'm really big into chanting. I LOVE chanting. I play guitar, so anything with harmonies or microtones just get me giddy.

They weren't really chanting. They were just talking fast. Very fast.

So, after an hour and 15 minutes of trying my best to listen, I decided to get up and leave. I felt bad for it, as though I were abandoning those folks, but I really felt like I didn't belong there.

I needed some liturgy to listen to, so I went to the Greek Orthodox church that's down the road from the coptic church, and stayed for the entire service, which was very, very good.

Now, for you Orientals reading this, I want to make one thing perfectly clear:

I am not belittling your faith. I am not belittling that particular community of believers.

I know when I'm too out of place, and I was out of place there. Very, very ethnic oriented. Plus, the service is in not one, not two, but three languages.

Like I said, I believe the Oriental churches and the Eastern churches are closer to each other than a man and his jugular vein.

That's my church story. No fireworks, no bells and whistles.

Y'all have a nice day.

I respect what all you said ..
but there are two reasons for that

may be this is not the liturgy itself because i am sure of our liturgy it include alot of great chants , so wonderful ... and you said the kids were reading so i guess this is the prayers which is before the liturgy , we just read it .. and the liturgy follow it and the singer deacons chant it very well

- may be there were no sub deacons yet to sing the chants
so i suggest that you should go and ask the priest , also you should know how our liturgy go on , you should read that before you go

if you want a links for our liturgy in english , audio and text , let me know ..i know that the churches there make alot of liturgies so u can ask about the main language they will use , sometimes they make it the arabic , english or coptic ...

our liturgy is from the oldest liturgies in the world , it is really wonderful , i really don't know what happened there .

[copticorthodoxy]

15 mins from the begining means that this is not the liturgy yet

[copticorthodoxy]

this link for the liturgies used in our churches
http://copticchurch.net/topics/liturgy/index.html

we always use the liturgy of St. Basil , and the hymns used in the liturgy not the same for every day ...

[GabrielWithoutWings]

Perhaps it wasn't the liturgy, but I was told by the priest that liturgy starts at 8 am, and I left at about 9:20 am.

That isn't 15 minutes.

[copticorthodoxy]

I used to see our liturgy full of choir deacons , may be this parish is not full of Copts !

before the liturgy start we read the hours prayers from " Agpeya book " then the deacons and the priests start the offertory which is " the deacons and the priests offer the bread and the wine which will be used in the Eucharist to the head priest to choose the best one " during that the bells of the church should ring and the deacons and people chant " lord have mercy "

[zhilan]

I would suggest you try to continue going and get there a little early. Instead of waiting for someone to come to you, look for someone when you first get there (someone not yet praying or something, just someone standing around so you don't bother them) and tell them it's your first time and ask what you should do. More than likely he will be very happy to help you. I was lucky in that my first experience was very welcoming. However, some Coptic friends of mine cautioned me that at times the Coptic church can seem unwelcoming at first becuase since they have been under persecution for so long they have learned to be rather insular and trusting only of each other. That does not mean they are mean or don't want you there, but that they have learned over years and years to be leary of those they don't know. Once they see you are there with a true apprecation of their faith I am certain they will see you as part of the church family. As I said, I've been very lucky in that my two experiences people have been very welcoming (and very curious as to how the heck I ended up in a Coptic church haha), but I would really encourage you to keep going even if people seem a bit cold at first. I am almost certain that with a little initiative and perserverance on your part you will soon not even remember that first impression.