I have an announcement =D

[Brushstroke]

Well, it's been a rather quick period as a catechumen lol. I just wanted to say that I'm getting chrismated next Sunday! We would have done it tomorrow, but our priest had to go out of town for a funeral so he won't be here tomorrow.

So I just thought I'd announce that, and if you would, please pray that our priest has a safe trip. He's going all the way from here in northwest Arkansas to Denver, Colorado lol.

[Adammi]

Congratulations

[Dewi Sant]

WOW!!!!


How long have you been Catechumen for?


I would like to be received by Pascha 2007. But, that is, obviously, at the guidance of the Priest.

I haven't asked him yet about recieveing me as a Catechumen, though he has hinted to me a few times.





Many years!

[MariaRegina]

WOW!!!!


How long have you been Catechumen for?


I would like to be received by Pascha 2007. But, that is, obviously, at the guidance of the Priest.

I haven't asked him yet about recieveing me as a Catechumen, though he has hinted to me a few times.


Many years!

Do ask your priest if you truly want to be received as a Catechumen. That is your choice to make and he won't rush you.

However, being baptized and/or chrismated is the Priest's decision to make in consultation with the Bishop. They want to insure that it is the right time.

[MariaRegina]

Congratulations, Geist.

Do you have a patron saint yet?

[georgia123]

Congratulations.

[RobNJ]

I haven't asked him yet about recieveing me as a Catechumen, though he has hinted to me a few times


I didn't realize I was officially a Catechuman, until I heard the priest mention my name at DL during the prayer.;)

[Andrea Elizabeth]

Woo Hoo! :clap: Congratulations and ManyYears!

The Newly Illumined ______ ? (echoing Aria's question)

[Brushstroke]

How long have you been Catechumen for?

Actually, not very long. Let's see...about...4 months lol. Fr. John says he thinks I'm ready to be received into the Church, and I think I am too. Like I said, it's been short. I think this is mainly because I was kind of Orthodox before actually becoming Orthodox, if you know what I mean. I was technically a Protestant, but I always had an Orthodox/Catholic leaning when it came to my beliefs.


Congratulations, Geist.

Do you have a patron saint yet?

Yes. St. Philip the Apostle. :)

[Dewi Sant]

I didn't realize I was officially a Catechuman, until I heard the priest mention my name at DL during the prayer.;)

"As many Catechumens remain...yes, that does mean you Rob!" ^_^ :P

[Shubunkin]

That is super! :clap:

[Andrea Elizabeth]

I still have the instinct to leave at "Depart Catechumens, Let no Catechuman remain", and it's been over a year now.

For inquirers: you're really not supposed to leave, it's just part of the service left over from the ancient days.

[Dewi Sant]

Actually, not very long. Let's see...about...4 months lol. Fr. John says he thinks I'm ready to be received into the Church, and I think I am too. Like I said, it's been short. I think this is mainly because I was kind of Orthodox before actually becoming Orthodox, if you know what I mean. I was technically a Protestant, but I always had an Orthodox/Catholic leaning when it came to my beliefs.


Yes. St. Philip the Apostle. :)

Wonderful!

I've just seen that you are 17.
Is your family also Orthodox?

You see, one of the reasons I haven't asked is because I face excommunication (in a family sense) from my Great Uncle if he finds out, so I have always kept it secret...until my mum revealed it:doh:

Also, I spent a month in the dazzling heresy of Mormonism shortly before finding the Orthodox church. I didn't want to take things too quickly because I feared that it was possibly another cult:sigh: . Though, this was mainly from my mum constantly saying "give it more time". She is not Orthodox and isn't interested at all...though, I will drag her to Pascha whether she likes it or not:P ....the wonders of the distance between the calendars.

I have always been Protestant High Anglican Church of England.

I have been learning about the Orthodox church for 8 months and visiting it for about 7.
My study has been private, but intense. One topic leads onto another, there is so much to learn, so much to cover, that if one were fully educated in Orthodoxy, it would be possible to have a good knowledge of pretty much, the last 2000 years of world history.


One thing which worries me is that I am going to a place for university where there is no Orthodox church. I will be back home for Holy Nativity and Pascha.
I wish I had better links to Orthodoxy earlier on. Maybe, Bishop Kallistos Ware might have put a word in for me to study at Oxford (where he lectures) ;) . I consider my spiritual life more important than my academic.



As you can see, it wouldn't be very convenient for me to get converted.
I am a convert in heart, but not communium.
I would hate to wait till I finish my degree in 3 years time. But, if it must be like that, it must be like that.
It took Bishop Kallistos Ware 6 years to be converted....but there were no english speaking Orthodox churches in England at that time, and there was only one orthodox church in London then.

[Dewi Sant]

I still have the instinct to leave at "Depart Catechumens, Let no Catechuman remain", and it's been over a year now.

For inquirers: you're really not supposed to leave, it's just part of the service left over from the ancient days.

I just want to be swollowed whole at that point.

I feel so awkward.:(

I know it is tradition, but I do wish it was not included any more.



Though, in many ways, I would like to leave at that change of liturgy.
I shouldn't be present at the presentation of the Eucharist.
I don't feel right.


It could be reworded, "All who are not in communium, please leave now, return in about 45 minutes for the coffee hour";)

[Brushstroke]

Wonderful!

I've just seen that you are 17.
Is your family also Orthodox?


No, my family is mainly Protestant, Baptist to be exact; except for my uncle James and aunt Rita; they're Catholic. But my dad has been coming with me to the services, and whenever he and Fr. John are ready, I think he's probably going to be chrismated too. My dad was kind of opposed to my wanting to convert to Orthodoxy at first, but he's not now.

[MariaRegina]

No, my family is mainly Protestant, Baptist to be exact; except for my uncle James and aunt Rita; they're Catholic. But my dad has been coming with me to the services, and whenever he and Fr. John are ready, I think he's probably going to be chrismated too. My dad was kind of opposed to my wanting to convert to Orthodoxy at first, but he's not now.

Great.

[MariaRegina]

Wonderful!

I've just seen that you are 17.
Is your family also Orthodox?

You see, one of the reasons I haven't asked is because I face excommunication (in a family sense) from my Great Uncle if he finds out, so I have always kept it secret...until my mum revealed it:doh:

Also, I spent a month in the dazzling heresy of Mormonism shortly before finding the Orthodox church. I didn't want to take things too quickly because I feared that it was possibly another cult:sigh: . Though, this was mainly from my mum constantly saying "give it more time". She is not Orthodox and isn't interested at all...though, I will drag her to Pascha whether she likes it or not:P ....the wonders of the distance between the calendars.

I have always been Protestant High Anglican Church of England.

I have been learning about the Orthodox church for 8 months and visiting it for about 7.
My study has been private, but intense. One topic leads onto another, there is so much to learn, so much to cover, that if one were fully educated in Orthodoxy, it would be possible to have a good knowledge of pretty much, the last 2000 years of world history.


One thing which worries me is that I am going to a place for university where there is no Orthodox church. I will be back home for Holy Nativity and Pascha.
I wish I had better links to Orthodoxy earlier on. Maybe, Bishop Kallistos Ware might have put a word in for me to study at Oxford (where he lectures) ;) . I consider my spiritual life more important than my academic.



As you can see, it wouldn't be very convenient for me to get converted.
I am a convert in heart, but not communium.
I would hate to wait till I finish my degree in 3 years time. But, if it must be like that, it must be like that.
It took Bishop Kallistos Ware 6 years to be converted....but there were no english speaking Orthodox churches in England at that time, and there was only one orthodox church in London then.


Have you spoken to Bishop KALLISTOS? Maybe there is a scholarship fund that you could use to attend his university. Ask.

[Andrea Elizabeth]

One thing which worries me is that I am going to a place for university where there is no Orthodox church. I will be back home for Holy Nativity and Pascha.
I wish I had better links to Orthodoxy earlier on. Maybe, Bishop Kallistos Ware might have put a word in for me to study at Oxford (where he lectures) ;) . I consider my spiritual life more important than my academic.

As you can see, it wouldn't be very convenient for me to get converted.
I am a convert in heart, but not communium.
I would hate to wait till I finish my degree in 3 years time. But, if it must be like that, it must be like that.
It took Bishop Kallistos Ware 6 years to be converted....but there were no english speaking Orthodox churches in England at that time, and there was only one orthodox church in London then.

Didn't Bishop Ware go to St. John Maximovich's church? That would have been so cool. As well as going to Oxford. Maybe you can drop him an email - at least for suggestions for someone in your situation.

[Andrea Elizabeth]

I see Aria has the same idea! Great minds...

[MariaRegina]

think alike.

I like that.

[Andrea Elizabeth]

I just want to be swollowed whole at that point.

I feel so awkward.:(

I know it is tradition, but I do wish it was not included any more.

Or at least a " - not!" and a wink following it. ;)

Though, in many ways, I would like to leave at that change of liturgy.
I shouldn't be present at the presentation of the Eucharist.
I don't feel right.

It could be reworded, "All who are not in communium, please leave now, return in about 45 minutes for the coffee hour";)

I think the reason it was put in was because of all the accusations of paganism surrounding the Real Presence. And the Orthodox are so careful to preserve the ancient way that they don't change anything. So it's nice to have the historical tie to the early church during that part of the service. But please don't feel that you should leave. You are not going to go slander the Eucharist or anything, so don't worry about it. Return for coffee hour - :D!

[Andrea Elizabeth]

think alike.

I like that.

:thumbsup:

[choirfiend]

Remember---this coming year, Easter and Pascha are on the same day!!!


(right?)

[Brushstroke]

Remember---this coming year, Easter and Pascha are on the same day!!!


(right?)

*Checks*

Yep, they are!

[Michael the Iconographer]

Many, many years.

[Tsarina]

Many many years! :angel: Take a lot of pictures, and then show us them! :P

[Bushmaster78FS]

Your CF character and flag mislead me, I thought wow an Orthodox Christian from Germany... heh heh! I was not a cathecumen for long either. My spiritual father gave me a book, and asked me to read it, until then all my info about the Orthodox Church was what I read online and discussions here, until the last day I didn't pay attention to the book, and the last day I read it for a while, I was staying in his barracks room, he was studying his college class, and I kept falling asleep. Later next morning, the day I was charismated, he quizzed me during the trip to Seoul! My answers were good but not verbatim. I was nervous.

I find it a bit weird now, I became an Orthodox Christian in Korea!!! Heh heh!

[Brushstroke]

Your CF character and flag mislead me, I thought wow an Orthodox Christian from Germany... heh heh! I was not a cathecumen for long either. My spiritual father gave me a book, and asked me to read it, until then all my info about the Orthodox Church was what I read online and discussions here, until the last day I didn't pay attention to the book, and the last day I read it for a while, I was staying in his barracks room, he was studying his college class, and I kept falling asleep. Later next morning, the day I was charismated, he quizzed me during the trip to Seoul! My answers were good but not verbatim. I was nervous.

I find it a bit weird now, I became an Orthodox Christian in Korea!!! Heh heh!

LOL WOW! I guess that was an even shorter time than me eh? And in Korea...? There are Orthodox Christians there? o_O

And yes, I'm originally from Germany, and I moved to America when I was 4 lol. So some people find the flag a bit misleading.

[Bushmaster78FS]

I am a Turk, born and raised, 22 years in Turkey, I don't fly the Turkish flag, because of my loyalty in the US and there are bunch of other reasons. Never felt like it. It's like being an American is in my spiritual DNA. When I was little, before school age, I would draw warships and spell USA on them.

My time period for being a cathecumen was probably a month or so. It is short, but I am glad it was short. I used to feel something was missing when I had to stand back, when other people were taking communion.

[atlasshrugged]

I just wanted to say congratulations!

[Dewi Sant]

LOL WOW! I guess that was an even shorter time than me eh? And in Korea...? There are Orthodox Christians there? o_O

And yes, I'm originally from Germany, and I moved to America when I was 4 lol. So some people find the flag a bit misleading.

In that case,
I too should bear the German flag as I was born in Berlin and lived in various different towns in Germany for the first seven years of my life.

I was born in Berlin British Military Hospital though, so technically I have always been British.

Though, my memories of Germany are of an almost utopian society, that is when compared with England.

[Dewi Sant]

Have you spoken to Bishop KALLISTOS? Maybe there is a scholarship fund that you could use to attend his university. Ask.

LOL!

It would be wonderful if it was that simple.

The University of Oxford is possibly the most prestigious in the world. Very few people get to study there.
As I didn't do too well in Highschool, I do hope to do a postgrad in Theology there.

In Britain, there is a set limit for the price of universities. £3000 per year maximum, and the government supports in the payment of that as well. One of the advantages of a Labour government, almost free stuff.

I was viewing Kallistos' website on pilgrimages to Iona, there were no prices on the website, but there must be some price, surely!?!
I would love to go to Iona, and with a Kallistos, I can't think of anything more heavenly like on Earth....apart from Divine Liturgy which starts in two hours....I need to get ready:)

[kamikat]

Many Years!!!

[Brushstroke]

In that case,
I too should bear the German flag as I was born in Berlin and lived in various different towns in Germany for the first seven years of my life.

I was born in Berlin British Military Hospital though, so technically I have always been British.

Though, my memories of Germany are of an almost utopian society, that is when compared with England.

Well, I'm actually a German (3/4, I think), so again technically I SHOULD be bearing my flag.

[Bushmaster78FS]

Well, I'm actually a German (3/4, I think), so again technically I SHOULD be bearing my flag.

Nah! Fly the flag where your loyalty is...

[irishseventysix]

Ah...a fellow Apostle (I'm Jude)! Welcome home, brother! God grant you many, many years!

[ModernDaySpyridon]

Many years, Geist, Many years!

[DonVA]

Many years, Geist!

God bless you.

[EricTheRed]

Nah! Fly the flag where your loyalty is...

well said. If i had to fly the flag of my ancestors i would have waaaaay to many.

So I will stick with the US one haha

[DonVA]

Seriously! I'd have a Lebanese flag, an English Flag, Ireland, a totem pole, and my dad recently informed me that Denmark would be included in the mix.

Could someone please pass me the Heinz 57?

[Llauralin]

Congratulations, and God grant you many years!

[Happy Orthodox]

Congratulations, Geist! Khronia pola! Mnogaya leta! Many years!

[nikolayalexandroff]

Well, it's been a rather quick period as a catechumen lol. I just wanted to say that I'm getting chrismated next Sunday! We would have done it tomorrow, but our priest had to go out of town for a funeral so he won't be here tomorrow.

So I just thought I'd announce that, and if you would, please pray that our priest has a safe trip. He's going all the way from here in northwest Arkansas to Denver, Colorado lol.
My congratulations too. God save you!