The militants of TAW started June 2004, retired Jan 2006

[Oblio]

I came here about a year ago and joined a fairly small rag tag group of devout Orthodox Christians. I've watched along with others as some came, and some went, though through the grace of God, mostly they came and stayed.

I'd like to get a roster of Orthodox Christians (Eastern & Oriental), Catechumens, and sincere Inquirers to the Holy Orthodox Church. No detailed rules, baptismal certificates, or 3-Bar crosses required. God knows your heart and where you are and where you are going. Post here once only please, if you would like to leave some info in your post, fine, all I ask is that you edit the original post and not make duplicates. In addition, if you change your status (Inquirer/Catechumen/Orthodox) after your initial post please PM me so I can adjust the totals. Think of it as our TAW membership roster of the Church militant here on this earth. Finally, this is not meant as an official 'read before posting' thread, the only mod action I will take is to stick it to the top.

Thanks be to all here, Erwin, and especially the Most Holy Trinity for making everything possible.

In XC,

Rdr. Christopher

-------------------
Totals (posting members):

Baptised/Chrismated Orthodox: 30
Catechumens: 8
Inquirers: 9

Total: 47

Please, only one post per member

[The Prokeimenon!]

Wow! I get to be the first! (hmmm- that means I'm gonna be the last, I guess...)

I'm Moses. (my given name is Michael) My Patron Saint is Moses the Ethiopian. I was recieved into Holy Orthodoxy on Holy Saturday, April 26th, 2003. My wife introduced me to TAW. We were married on April 24, 2004. I'll let her tell you more about herself if she wants.

I was tonsured a Reader on November 19th, 2005.

[Eusebios]

Hi, I'm Eusebios (in the world, Donald.) My patron saint is the Heiromartyr Eusebios, Bishop of Samosata (http://www.oca.org/pages/orth_chri/Feasts-and-Saints/june/jun-22.html). My wife Joanna and myself were received into Holy Orthodoxy by charismation on Great and Holy Saturday 2001.(Our family patron is St. Serapnim of Sarov.) I love my "family" here at TAW, though I too often treat them poorly.
His unworthy servant,
Eusebios.
p.s.-Thanks Reader Chris for a good thread idea and for being a great Mod.!

[Matrona]

I'm Matrona. In the world, my name is Courtney. I was nineteen years old when I converted to Orthodoxy, and I entered the Church by Holy Baptism on April 26th, 2003. Orthodoxy is a catalyst, changing and correcting me every step of the way. This is difficult and at times very painful. But I wouldn't change a day of my journey; I only wish I'd finished it sooner. Except, it's not really finished, is it... no, it's only beginning.

I think I found TAW completely by accident... I somehow stumbled across CF, and seeing it claimed to be a "non-denominational" forum, I immediately assumed it would be anti-Catholic/Orthodox. So I searched for posts containing "Orthodox" and stumbled across TAW. I registered immediately. :)

I am so glad to have found the Holy Orthodox Faith. I was totally disillusioned by "contemporary worship" and my Campus Crusade bible study that I could barely stay awake during, and when I finally managed to visit a Catholic mass, I found that it wasn't anything close to what I'd experienced at a Divine Liturgy--knowing that, I knew I wasn't going to be happy with a liturgical protestant tradition (I was done with Protestant beliefs, anyway), so I became a catechumen at my Orthodox parish shortly thereafter, and entered the Church that Pascha. My journey, from my first visit to entering the Church, amounted to about seven months. When you know, you know. This is the pearl of great price and I'm so happy to have found it. I'm finally home.

[Photini]

My name is Photini (in the world Heather). I was baptized into the Holy Orthodox Church on June 29th, 2003. I have two children who were also baptized last year.
I don't remember exactly how I found CF...I think I pulled something up on a Google search, and was pulled in by the cool smilies. I joined sometime in the spring of 2003 (March I think). I only stayed after noticing that there was another Orthodox person here...his screen name: Oblio. Then I noticed Philip and CopticOrthodox, and I was hooked.

[Rick of Wessex]

Hello!

I'm Rick of Wessex (in the world Ricardo). St. Richard (http://www.comeandseeicons.com/inp23.htm), Earl of Wessex is one of my patron saints (St. George is the other).

I was received by Chrismation in April 18th, 1998 - Great and Holy Saturday, and I thank God everyday for finding home after a long "pilgrimage".

I found TAW by accident - via Google, I guess - and I'm glad I did it.

[Moros]

I have kind of a bizarre relationship with Orthodoxy. I do a lot of Internet based research on the subject (mainly reading the Septuagint, as well as various websites and essays, discussing on forums, that sort of thing) as well as email various Priests back and forth with questions and answers.

I have semi-semi-semi-semi usual contact with the local Priest of the Orthodox mission here, we get together for coffee... at variable times.

Still have yet to make it to a service for various reasons.

Not Baptised in anything, at all. Raised in a secular, though God aware household.

Rediscovered Christianity after a long struggle with... life. Thought about becoming a Lutheran. Their church was close. We moved, so that was out.

Discovered Orthodoxy through accident, somewhat.

I was sitting here thinking about Judaism. There is Orthodox, Conservative, Chassidic, Liberal, etc. I was thinking "I wonder if there is a such thing as Orthodox Christianity..."

I laughed because at the time the thought seemed abstract.

I am, after all, an American from a small town, and as such, being raised in such a protestant dominated area, grew up thinking there are only two churches, RCC and protestant, and since the area was basically 100% protestant, i thought they were the ones who had it right.

So I load up a search engine and type in "orthodox christianity" expecting to get a bunch of roman sites denouncing V-2 or something.

Here I am today.

Still strugglin', but I know where my heart belongs.

I found TAW by typing in "christian forums" on google looking for, well, christian forums, and I noticed this one had an Orthodox subsection.

[MariaRegina]

My name is Elizabeth. I'm a chocohalic. :D

I was raised in the Latin Church with parents who questioned everything the priests or nuns had to say, so I grew up questioning everything also.

In 1993, one of my friends told me to visit a Melkite Church. I did and then I quickly crossed the bridge to the Holy Orthodox Church.

I was received by Holy Confession and Holy Chrismation on April 6, 1996.
On that day, the Holy Bible really came alive to me.

The Orthodox constant call to repentance is not an easy way of life but it surely helps keep one on the straight and narrow path that leads to heaven.

Give thanks to God and glorify Him. I am home today in the Holy Orthodox Church.

P.S. I found CF when the LBMB closed down its site and we were all looking for alternate sites. CF came highly recommended by my protestant friends.

[Reader Nilus]

Jeff the Finn, in real life Jeff Nyman or Reader Nilus. I was chrismated into the Holy Orthodox Church during the Great Pascha Vigil Liturgy in 1989. St Nilus of Sora is my patron saint. Tonsured a reader in 1992. I came to the Orthodox Church via Dostoevsky, and a friend of mine Reader Timothy who now is an Orthodox missionary in Taiwan.
http://s88610834.onlinehome.us/Orthodox/tonsure.jpg
I am being tonsured by His Grace Bishop TIKHON on the feast of St Lucy 1992.
Jeff the Finn

[prodromos]

Hi, I'm John Andrew and also John Andrew. I'll let you guess by which name I go in the world :D. I married a Greek girl who I met in a Baptist church I was going to in Sydney and shortly after, we moved to Greece. My wife knew nothing about the faith she had been baptised into so Orthodoxy was a slow discovery for both of us. The first few years in Greece we managed to avoid the Orthodox church but as time passed, our misconceptions were swept away and we realised that Orthodoxy was our home. Once you have tasted the richness and depth of Orthodoxy, you can never go back.

John.

[Patristic]

Hello, my name is Seth. I was raised in a good evangelical home, but after seeing for myself all the differences of opinion existant within Protestantism during my time in college, I became disenchanted by all things Protestant. I still remember hearing about the Orthodox Church from a priest who visited one of my religion classes during my freshamn year. After listening to his hour long presentation I was intrigued and curious. Eventually I stumbled upon some of the testimonies of Catholic converts: Hahn, Matatics, etc. But after doing my own historical and theologial survey I was drawn to Orthodoxy. Hopefully, I will be Chrismated within the next few weeks.

[Michael the Iconographer]

My name is Michael. I am an Orthodox Iconographer and a convert from the Roman Catholic Church. I have yet to write an entire church of Icons, but will hopefully get to that level soon enough. I have had one essay on iconography published in WORD magazine, am working on another and I love to talk about iconography with anyone who is willing to listen. Learning to write icons has been and continues to be a life changing experience for me. I was raised a devout Catholic and after college attended a year of Seminary at St. Vincent in Latrobe, PA. While at St. Vincent I began to learn iconography from Peter Pearson. Shortly after my studies in iconography began a bi-ritual Byzantine/Roman Catholic priest began to teach me the "Byzantine" faith. My brain believed that what he was teaching me was the "Byzantine" faith, but in my heart I knew what he was slowly introducing to me was Orthodoxy. After a year of studies at St. Vincent I left seminary and attended a Byzantine Catholic parish in Ohio for a year before finally giving in to my heart and visiting an Orthodox church. I was Chrismated on Lazarus Saturday 1999. It is good to be home in Orthodoxy. It is good to have found in the Divine Liturgy what I had been searching for years and could not find. Iconography and the study of the Apostolic Fathers are what brought me to Orthodoxy. My favorite Father is St. Ignatius of Antioch. My favorite saints are St. Peter, St. Ignatius of Anticoh, St. Justin Martyr and St. Andrei Rublev. My favorite icon to write is the Holy Mandylion (The Face of Christ not Made by Hands).

[Rilian]

My real name is Andrew, Rilian is a character from a C.S. Lewis novel. I was in a hurry to reply to something, so I picked this name because it was the first thing that popped in my mind. I'll change it once I have a saints name. I can't remember how I found the site. I'm married and have two kids, ages 3 and 5.

I first came in contact with Orthodoxy through someone in my family and I actually first went to a divine liturgy a long time ago. I've always had an interest in Russian spirituality, literature and culture. I've been going to an Antiochian mission since the Feast of the Circumcision this year.

[Momzilla]

Hi, I'm Kirsten. I was received as a catachumen on Pentecost 2004. I found Orthodoxy, and CF, at a time when I was becoming disaffected with Protestantism. I am finding in Orthodoxy all that was lacking in other traditions, and more.

[Dust and Ashes]

My real name is Brad. I suppose I would be considered an Inquirer and I am very sincere. I stumbled across CF quite by accident and I noticed the Orthodox icon by a couple of names and vaguely wondered what it meant. Then I read a couple of their sigs and "Proclaiming truth since 33AD" and "Orthodoxy: Unadulterated Christianity" really caught my attention and I gave some thought to what Orthodox means.
I lurked in TAW for a while and read some of the posts and I was subjected to one surprise after another as beliefs were expressed that I have always felt in my spirit were true even when my Protestant teachers told me otherwise. I felt the Holy Spirit drawing me so I began to do more research and I am convinced that I have found where I belong.

I sat, grinning like an idiot, reading the poll thread on origins as Orthodox Christians discussed what they believe. From young earth creationists to theistic evolutionists the beliefs were varied but never once did a spirit of hostility or division dare to raise its ugly head. Your consistent demonstration of John 13:35 has done more to convince me than anything else that Orthodoxy is the Truth. I plan to visit an Orthodox Church in the next 2-3 weeks and hope that I can spend some time talking with someone and get some more information.

Peace and Love to you all.

[Cradle]

My real name is Petros. I'm obviously Greek and I live in the UK since October 2000. Yeah, I live across the pond :). I do high-tech stuff, so I'm online most of the day due to my profession and I take nice breaks in here. I discovered CF through google (I think!).

[countrymousenc]

My name is Dianne, and I became a catechumen after Pascha this year. My childhood church was Southern Baptist, but for the last 19 years I've been United Methodist. Until around a couple of years ago I knew nothing about the Orthodox Church except that Greek Orthodox churches existed here in the US. Some Orthodox Christians I encountered on another message board gave me some things to think about, although I was very resistant at the time. Ultimately, I couldn't dismiss the idea that Christ really would not have let His Church stray from the truth, and I had to know more. I found CF while browsing Christian discussion forums, and happened upon TAW, for which I am grateful. During Great Lent I began attending an Orthodox parish in Charlotte, and will probably be chrismated within the next month or so. :)

[readerpaul]

My name is Gary; I was chrismated in December 1984. I teach history at a two-year college and was introduced to TAW by Oblio himself. I read most of y'all's posts but don't need to post much as of all the sites I've encountered on the web, TAW unquestionably does the best in explaining the Faith and trying to minimize the eclectic (and occasionally, I think we must admit) down right silly contentions and arguments that are a part, but hardly the heart, of Orthodoxy. (Why tell people about the truths of the Faith when it's so much more important to argue among ourselves about calendars, headcoverings, kneeling, etc.?)

Keep up the good work. You all are indeed a "light unto the world."

Reader Paul.

[katherine2001]

My Baptismal name is Katherine (after St. Katherine of Alexandria), but my worldly name is Janice. I was received into the Orthodox Church by chrismation on April 14, 2001 prior to the liturgy of Holy Saturday. I attend a small mission (OCA). We don't have a resident priest yet, so we have vespers/liturgy once a month and typica services the other weeks.

I attended Southern Baptist churches until I was about 9 (my dad was in the military so we moved a lot), but my mom suffered a crisis of faith about that time, so we stopped going to church. I was baptized when I was about 25 at a Southern Baptist church. I discovered Orthodoxy when I got interested in Russia and read any books on it that I could get my hands on, as well as watching any programs or videos that I could find. There was something about Orthodoxy that appealed to me, even though it was so different. By this time, I had quit going to church. Almost 4 years ago now, I knew it was time to get out of the pigpen and go home (just like the Prodigal Son). Within 10 minutes, I realized that I couldn't go back to the Baptist church. I ordered some books on Orthodoxy from Amazon and devoured them. I wanted to attend an Orthodox Church, but the closest one was 60 or 70 miles away. Within two months at the most, the mission was started here where I live, and I have been attending it since August 6, 2000.

[Suzannah]

Hi!
:wave:

I'm Suzannah. Former sailor and ship's captain, 48, married with one daughter. I discovered Orthodoxy by the Grace of God and I'm not leaving...you can't get rid of me. I'm just not leaving. *Suzannah grabs an icon stand tightly....*

I'm a catechumen and will be chrismated into the Faith this summer.
:)

[nicodemus]

My name is Joel, after my patron saint the Holy Prophet Joel. That's my birthname too. I was received into the Orthodox Church by Baptism on December 2, 2000 (+Holy Prophet Habbakuk). My wife was Baptized the same day with the name of Seraphima. I'm respecting her privacy and not putting her birthname down.

[NewToLife]

Hi my name is Chris, which is also my birthname. I was received into Orthodoxy by confession and chrismation on St Thomas sunday this year. If you want to know more I also made a post in the conversions thread a while back.

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

Hi, I am technically still an Inquirer, but I feel like much more than that! I have been convinced for quite some time that the Orthodox Church and life is for me! A friend suggested I try out this message board (Mosestheblack's wife!). I desperately want to take the next step in becomming a catechumen, I'm just waiting for a priest to give the thumbs up.:prayer:

I first learned of Orthodoxy from Moses' wife as well! I was on another message board, she and I became friends, and then she told me she was interested in the Orthodox faith. Well, I didn't know the first thing about it, but I knew I was sick and tired of being sick and tired of the protestant belief system. So, she then invited me to a message board that was set up for inquirers of Orthodoxy. I was intrigued by this strange "new" faith (lol), but the Lord had to work on me about 2yrs. before I was really ready to dive into it. Well, here I am, learning to suffer, to hope, to believe, to trust, and to love.

Oh, and I'm pretty sure I will be choosing St. Elizabeth, the Martyred Grand Duchess, as my patron Saint. My birth name is Tracy, and I am presently unattached.;)

[Peter]

Screen name: Peter

Status: Catechumin

Patron Saint: St. Peter the Apostle

Name in the world: Kyle

Peace.

Peter

[Epiphany]

To Life Immortal

Hello this is Epiphany. I am a member of St George's Antiochian Orthodox in Upper Darby Pennsylvania. I converted to Orthodoxy from Asatru and Egyptian Paganism.

In real life, I learn languages and do web design. I am disabled with bipolar II and DID (dissociative identity disorder), a fancy term that means I'm 9 people instead of one. I have 2 cats: Luci and Tommy. My interests are spirituality, computers, radio, psionics and animals.

We're moving to Toronto Ontario as soon as we get the money and finish school. I like coming here: I've learned about my religion and found some nice people out here. :pink:

[linden branch]

My name is Isaac. I probably should have posted here earlier, as some have already seen this, but I have a link to my biography in my profile (under bio)

I would say that I am a sincere inquirer.

[Wisdom's Child]

I too am a serious Inquirer (Inquisitor? ;) ) of Orthodoxy.

[Orthosdoxa]

Hello, Mosestheblack's wife here, Lana in the world, Katherine in the Church

I was raised a baptist (the anti-catholic, nobody will go to heaven except us, militant faction). I bought into it wholeheartedly most of my life, until my early 20's. The short version of the story is that I nearly lost my faith altogether, having realized that sola scriptura was a lie, but not knowing where else to turn. I began to realize that the "God" I'd been taught about was a tyrant. I had no idea what to do. By God's mercy, I happened to meet two very kind and patient Orthodox men on line, and spent months haranguing them with endless questions. Eventually, it became clear that the Orthodox faith is the fullness of the faith handed down by the Apostles, and it was where I needed to be.

I never thought I'd find peace of mind. During my spiritual crisis, there were times I thought I'd have a nervous breakdown - I was terrified of hell and thought for sure I'd end up there (well, my Protestant conception of what "hell" is, anyway). Our gracious God allowed me to finally find His Truth, to find my peace and rest in Him, and I am so thankful.

I have been married for almost 3 wonderful months and am looking forward to 70 or 80 more years of this life with my honey. :) We have four cats, I am a relentless matchmaker (anyone looking for a good Orthdox spouse? let me know! :D), and we are getting ready to move to Spokane, WA, to help start an Orthodox mission. That's where my life is right now.

Katherine

PS - I also want to say how awesome it is to have so many inquirers (and inquisitors!) here! I hope that all feel free to ask any questions they may have!

[Mary of Bethany]

I'm Mary, and am a convert (chrismated on Holy Saturday, 2001) and attend St. Sava OCA mission in a Dallas suburb.

[vanshan]

Hi, I'm Basil. I was received into the Antiochian Archdiocese on Holy Saturday 1995 by confession and chrismation. I had been involved in the charismatic movement for about 9 years when I began to search for the historic Church. I was so excited to find my way home to Orthodoxy. I renounced my former delusions and have very slowly been growing since that time by God's incredible grace.

[Sergius_Lucius]

I'm Sergei, my patron saint is St. Sergius of Radonezh. I am a student and I live in Moscow.

[Kripost]

My name is Ignatius, and I can be considered to be an inquirer, although not officially one.

[gzt]

...Orthodox Christians, OCA, Diocese of the Midwest. For the next couple months, though, I'm at an Antiochian Mission which has no priest yet.

[Matthias]

Wow, the whole time I've been in the Orthodoxy forum I've never opened this thread, until now.

I'm Matthew, from New Zealand, aged 20 years as of March 14 2004. I am a sincere inquirer, but having intense difficulty finding an Orthodox parish which is near my area and has more than one service every three months...

I'm at Victoria University, in Wellington, New Zealand, studying torwards a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching, then a Master of Teaching, and possibly a Doctorate degree as well, depending on how sore my brain is after the initial four years...

I love martial arts and martial artists, and that's about it. Not married, no children.

[ufonium2]

I was waiting to post here because I didn't want to mess up Oblio's tally, knowing I'd be chrismated soon. I got chrismated today :) so here goes:

I'm Angelina, my saint is Angelina of Serbia. I go to a small OCA church in Tennessee right now, but I'm moving next week and will join an OCA mission in Kentucky. I was raised in a United Methodist mission, and I'll always love mission churches.

I'm a musician (mainly classical, though I'll play anything anywhere if the money is good.) That's about it.

[jkotinek]

+Christ is in our midst+

Jonathan here. (given name, baptised also in honor of Righteous Jonathan, friend of King David).
I ran across this site today while my regular haunt (texags.com) is out of commission.

I am an academic advisor and Ph.D. student at Texas A&M University. My wife and I are members of the local Antiochian "mission" (we're not officially big enough to be a mission). We were recieved into the church on Pascha in 2003 (she by chrismation, I by baptism). I was raised in baptist churches, we were married in a Methodist church, and we converted after about five years of searching. Our mission is just a couple of years old, but vibrant and growing; please check out the link in my profile. If you have any children coming to A&M, or know someone that is, please feel free to put them in contact with me.

Peace!

[Akathist]

I am a baptised and christmated Orthodox Christian. I converted from protestantism but had a brief exploration into the RC before finding EO.

[SaintGeorge]

Hi! My name's Geoffrey Miller, and I don't have a saint yet.

Well, I guess right now you could call me an unofficial inquirer. Hopefully, I'll soon become a catechumen. Until then, I'm going to just learn more and more about the faith.
I came to this forum after being attracted to it by the Holy Spirit. It just so happened that I was actively searching for the true Church at the time. I stumbled across TAW and realized that Orthodoxy was just what I was looking for.

Please pray for me on my journey. I'll update this post as necessary.

[ExOrienteLux]

+Christ is in our midst!+

My name is Josh, and I'm an inquirer who hopes to become a catechumen within the next few months. Okay, that sounds may too much like I'm introducing myself to a 12-Step Program.
Anywho, I've come from a pseudo-Protestant not-very-religious family through evangelical Protestantism, and finally, to the doorstep of the Ancient Church. I'm going to refrain from the long story here (if you want the whole tale, PM me), but suffice it to say, after a bit of reading and some talking to an older Orthodox friend (who's going to be my godfather, btw :D), I finally went to Liturgy and had what I call a 'St. Vladimir's emissaries' moment. That opened me up to Orthodoxy, and Pascha sealed the deal.
I know a few of you from OC.net's forum, and when I saw a link from there to here, I followed it, and was very pleasantly surprised that a 'non-denominational' forum had Orthodox users. I'm glad that, at least here, we can show that Orthodoxy is one in order to show the Truth and fight heresies. Speaking of which, in my very short perusal of the other boards, I've noticed quite a few. Anyone feel like organizing a raiding party? ;)
Well, that's enough for the moment. I'll update as the situation changes or if enough people want to know my story.

------EDIT--------
Well, I've officially become a catechumen. Not sure how long it'll be before I chrismated, but I can wait as long as Father thinks I need to. Just pray for me, as I finally draw near to my home.

IC XC NIKA,
Josh.

[OrthodoxServant86]

Hello all, Glory to Jesus Christ!

My name is Justin, I'm currently 17 from Southern Ontario in Canada, near Windsor. I am a convert to the Antiochian Orthodox Church (which happened, by the grace of God, a year ago) with aspirations to the priesthood, although I know that I have a long, long way to go spiritually before I can ever hope to acheive this goal. For now, I serve as acolyte during the divine liturgy, and at the first sign of our bishop ( I haven't the foggiest regarding his situation, may God help him and the Church!) I shall be, inshallah, ordained a subdeacon.

On a more lax level, I love history, which I am off to study in september at the local U. Otherwise, I have a fondness for writing, philosophy, literature, French, and dogs (hence the puppy as my avatar :) ).

Y'a-t-il des autres Chrétiens Orthodoxes françaises içi?

In peace,

-Justin

[Basileus]

+Christ is Risen from the Dead, Trampling Down Death by Death+

Finally, enough courage to post here.

My name and my Saint is James, the first Bishop of Jerusalem and the Brother of Our Lord.

I live in Bucks County PA. I attend St. Stephen's Orthodox Catholic Cathedral (OCA) in Philadelphia. I was Chrismated there last 06.Sept.03 by Archpriest Fr. Daniel Geeza :priest: after attending there for some time.

I also Acolyte there, much to my surprise. I had been attending some of the week day Feast services and occasionally some of the Sunday Acolytes were not showing up during the week. I noticed Fr. Dan was by himself and I told him if he ever needed me to let me know.

Next thing I knew I had on a vestment and I was behind the Iconostasis :eek: learning how to altar boy. I told him I thought I was too old (I was 39) to be an altar boy and he said that wasn't so, in fact he prefered them to be older that way he could concentrate on the Liturgy and not have to direct constantly. We don't have a Deacon, BTW.

I was Baptised at 15 in a Fundamentalist Baptist Church and graduated from the same type high school ("Footloose" anyone?). I got tired of the tyrannical and unforgiving God and rebelled and spent the next 15 years in a haze, literally. Most of which I don't remember.

Through my love of history and the Roman Empire, I found the One, Holy, True, and Apostolic Church. I was surprised that the Church that was talked about in the history books, especially by John Jules Norwich, was alive and well.

I work as an RN in a Pediatric/Adolescent Residential Behavioural Unit with kids that are the victims of emotional, sexual, and physical abuse (which really gets me :mad: ), and have been removed by DHS/Children and Youth from NY, DC, CN, NJ, Phila, etc. They are ages four to twenty-one.

I suppose my greatest faults are that I tend to shoot from the hip (which I continually try to work on with the grace of God) and my dry sense of humor which not everyone can appreciate.

I hope to eventually move to Los Angeles (next summer) to go to CSUN to finish my BSN then UCLA for my MSN. I better hurry up because I am not getting any younger. However, I was in a really, really, really, bad auto accident/multi-car pile up two years ago and sustained two herniated discs in my neck which most likely need cervical neck surgery this fall, :help: UGH!!! St. Pantleimon pray for me.

Enough rambling, from:

"James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ," James 1:1

[vlinder]

To Life Immortal

Hello TAW, I'm Vlinder.

Some of you may recognize me as Epiphany. I did something dumb and deleted my cookies after I changed ISP's and lost Epiphany's account.

OK, about me. I live in Haddington Pennsylvania, outside of Upper Darby where I am a member of St. George's Antiochian Orthodox Church. My journey to Orthodox was a long, painful, but insightful one. To make a long (27 years) story short. I was Asatru years ago, which is Germanic/Northern European Paganism. I joined it because I'm part Germanic and I admire the values and ethics of Asatru. It is not for the fluffy, that's for sure. I left it because I got tired of the paranoia and racialism. Then I check out the other side of the family. Went into African-based religions (Yoruba and Ancient Egyptian Paganism). That didn't work because I object to animal sacrifices and I couldn't find many people who followed the religion around here.

While I was seeking my path, I visited an Orthodox church and it scared me to be the only Black person there in such a large church. Then I went to a Russian mission on Wallace St in Center City. That's where I learned about Orthodoxy and decided if I ever were to become Christian, I would join. I was interested for a while, but still was a Pagan.

Last year I became a Christian and first went to the Greek Church where I was chrismated. I couldn't get into it the services because they were all in Greek and I was Having a hard time learning it. I found St. George's Antiochian in the Yellow Pages and the rest is history.

I am an Eastern Orthodox Panentheist with a strong mystical side. What I like about Orthodoxy are the Traditions and the morals and values. I love to chant tenor in church and my favourite part is receiving the Eucharist.

In real life, I'm part of the Pascha Family. I have DID, dissociative identity disorder. There are 9 members of the family and most of them are Orthodox as well. I'm also bipolar and have hypertension. My faith, along with my weird sense of humour, greatly helps me cope with these tests of strength. I'm currently appealing a disabilty claim and I want to return to school, get my degree in Computer Science and move to Toronto or Antwerp.

I used to work for the government before I got too ill. I do web pages at home and I love to play role playing games online like Aardwolf MUD and Ark of the Covenant, a Christian MUD where they have bible studies. I'm single with no children, but I have a cat called Luci. I love foreign languages. I speak and /or learning Dutch(Flemish), French, Spanish, English, Russian, Korean. I'm learning Finnish on a dare. Foreign languages are like music with me. If I like the rhythm and melody of a language, I will try to learn it. If it looks good written down, I'll learn to write and read it.

I live one day at a time. Sometimes I have it rough and I wont be here posting for a while, but I'll always return because I like coming here.

Peace and Long Life
** The Pascha Family **

[xenia]

I'm Xenia, known in the world as Diane. After being an Evangelical Christian my entire life, I fell into a deep depression when I realized I didn't believe what they were teaching anymore. At that time, my daughter announced she was converting to Orthodoxy. Alarmed, I decided I needed to read up on the subject and discovered that I was in agreement with what I was reading. I screwed up the courage to visit a small Russian Church here in town, and after maybe 5 minutes I knew I was finished with American Protestantism forever. It took about a year to disentangle myself from my old church, where I was very involved, but giving all glory to God, He rescued me and I was received into the Holy Orthodox Church January 26, 2003.

I am an internet junkie and I don't remember how I found TAW but I am very glad that I did.

Love, Xenia

[Xpycoctomos]

Hello!

I've been here for a while but someone suggested to me that I add my profile to this list... so I will :)

I'm James here, although my Orthodox name is John (after St. John Chrysostom). I grew up Lutheran ("Haghenschlapfter" may give that one away), LCMS for those who know a bit about the vast and varied world that is Lutheranism :). I was chrismated some four Holy Saturdays ago (2001) and am continually on a journey toward becoming Orthodox everyday (some days are better than others).

I'm from the Great Lakes area and go to a Russian Patriarchal Church (although I was chrismated at an OCA Church... I only changed because of practical reasons that had nothing to do with jurisdiction). I am currently in my.. sigh... 7th and LAST year in college on my way to becoming a high school teacher of Spanish and French (I took the slow route).

I love to travel when I can, especially in Europe (well, that's actually the only place I have travelled throughout apart from Quebec... Absoulutely beautiful! where they truly only speak French except for Montreal and Quebec City. most people don't think that so I feel I have to spread the word so-to-speak.).

Well, that's it for now. If I feel I need to add something... I will :)

God bless,

James

PS: you can also find me lurking in Monachos.net (an Orthodox Patristics Forum) where I will pop my head in form time to time to stir things up (in a Christian way of course! ;))

[Father Gregory]

My name is Fr. Gregory (Hallam) and I am a priest of the British Antiochian (Orthodox) Deanery in the UK. I was chrismated on the feast of the Annunciation 1995 along with my wife and daughter having formerly been an Anglican priest and prevaricating phil-Orthodox person for some years! I serve a new parish in Manchester, UK.

After becoming Orthodox I have never looked back. It has made so much sense of my life ... I think I have always been Orthodox but lacked the means of formally becoming so. I am passionate not only about our faith and life but also about the majesty and beauty of this world and the Cosmos. This was my original route to faith as a boy and remains so to this day. Christ Pantocrator indeed!

I hesitated before coming here as I am already prolific on the Ship of Fools and can do without another addiction. Oh well!

Yours in Christ

Fr. Gregory

[MarriedinHim]

My name is Travis Mansfield. I am a person who is trying to discover the different teachings of the orthodox faith. I am considering joining, but I want to know what they teach, and do, and say, ect., ect. If there is any good web sites to find that out please let me know. Thank you.

[Father Gregory]

Dear MarriedinHim

I can't post a link yet as I haven't reached 100 posts. However if you go to my profile you will see our parish web site there from which you will get some help.

Yours in Christ

Fr. Gregory

[countrymousenc]

Welcome to TAW, Father Gregory! :)

[Rilian]

Welcom MarriedinHim! Father Gregory's site is a good resource. You could also have a look at the home page of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (http://goarch.org/en/ourfaith/introduction/) here in the states. It has a good introduction to the Orthodox faith.

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

My name is Fr. Gregory (Hallam) and I am a priest of the British Antiochian (Orthodox) Deanery in the UK. I was chrismated on the feast of the Annunciation 1995 along with my wife and daughter having formerly been an Anglican priest and prevaricating phil-Orthodox person for some years! I serve a new parish in Manchester, UK.

After becoming Orthodox I have never looked back. It has made so much sense of my life ... I think I have always been Orthodox but lacked the means of formally becoming so. I am passionate not only about our faith and life but also about the majesty and beauty of this world and the Cosmos. This was my original route to faith as a boy and remains so to this day. Christ Pantocrator indeed!

I hesitated before coming here as I am already prolific on the Ship of Fools and can do without another addiction. Oh well!

Yours in Christ

Fr. Gregory



Father bless! Welcome, Fr. Gregory! I hope we will see you around here often. We need guidance............or at least I do, anyway. I'm a serious inquirer, but in need of serious help sometimes.:)

[grov]

Hello - I'm new to Orthodoxy and to this forum.

My family and I (me, Andrea and our 6 kids) are catechumens since about 3 or 4 months ago, attending an OCA church w/Russian Orthodox heritage.

We were Protestants, growing more and more disillusioned with the fad of the day, hype, if-you-aren't-a-super-Christian-like-me-then-yer-nothin sort of mentality. We discovered Orthodoxy on the internet and had to be educated that it's not ethnic Roman Catholics as we were always taught.

We are amazed, encouraged and anxious to be fully immersed in this ancient Truth.

George

[countrymousenc]

Welcome to TAW, grov!

You'll find that several of us have similar stories of discovery. We're glad to have you among us. :)

[Michael the Byzantine]

-Deleted-

[Niko]

Im Nick and somehow ive completely missed this thread for six months :help:

I found this site looking for an answer to the nature of a certain sin (guess which one :( ).

Anyways, I was baptized when I was 5 or 6 and have been an active Orthodox christian since that time. I love going to church and dealing with religious issues, which paints a weird face on me when looked on by the secular world, but whatever.

As i look for religion through my classrooms, i am shocked to find that i am unfortunatly one-of-a-kind. The youth are too secular. Someones got to force more religion on us!

Float on!

-Nick

[The Virginian]

Nick,
The problem with "forced religion", is that it is resented, most often doesn't stick, and is rarely genuine. The social ills which you observe around you, will only cease when the heart of those committing them has changed. Yes, God sees the things which we do, but beyond them, God looks in our hearts, for the reason behind our actions.

[staylor72348]

My name is Stephen. My wife Elisabeth and I were baptized into the Orthodox Way on April 29, 2003. We are members of St. Benedict Russian Orthodox Church in Oklahoma City. My patron saint is Stephen of Perm, an early Russian missionary.

I grew up in the Assemblies of God, later pastored a non-denominational church, then spent the ten years (before Orthodoxy) in a Reformed church. Our departure was hastened by the conversion to Orthodoxy of our adult son and daughter, a few years before us. But our personal decision was driven by the gradual realization that many of the doctrinal differences, controversies and arguments still going on in the 21st century among and between the thousands of protestant groups had actually been settled by the early church councils.

Coming from a Scripture-centered background, it ultimately came down to three questions:
1. Did the Orthodox Church establish and prove the truth of Scripture (in the first several centuries)?
2. Is that same Church still alive in the world today?
3. Does it still confess the same truth?
If the answer to all three questions is yes (and we believe it is YES), then we want to be a part of that Church!

Glory to God for His faithfulness in revealing to us the Pearl of Great Price!
Stephen

[xenia]

Welcome to TAW. Stephen. What a great post!

-Xenia

[Canmak]

Hey Folks :wave: ,

I am new here, actually this is my second post so here it goes:


1)How Long have I been an Orthodox?

I was born into a Macedonian Orthodox Family.....but at that time the Macedonian Church was being renovated and so I was baptized into the Orthodox Faith in a Serbian Orthodox Church (Grancanica I believe is what it is called) when I was a baby

2) Was I really Orthodox?

No I really wasn't it wasn't up until this last year that I have expressed any interest or faith in Orthodoxy. To me I thought God was every where and you didn't need to go to a church to express your faith in God.

3) What made me become interested in Orthodoxy again?

There was this Macedonian Orthodox organiztion that had a forum/chat group on Yahoo......so me being an ethnic Macedonian decided to join just for the fun of it....didn't really have interest in Orthodoxy ( I guess I should say didn't have real interest in the spiritual sense of orthodoxy but I did in the historical sense of Orthodoxy). Regardless at this site they would discuss religous issues such as Abortion, Euthanasia, Pre-Marital sex etc etc basically every thing that is affecting our way of life in todays society. Me being the pesron I am would disagree with alot of what the people were saying in this chat group...I would even argue my points with a monk (Fr. Demetrius) and would be quite rude actually in my discussions with him, so rude that I would even say to myself I can't believe I am saying this to a monk. None the less Fr. Demetrius , who is of Macedonian ethnic heritage but does not belong to the Macedonian Orthodox Church because he doesn't agree with ethnic churches or should I say he wants to incorporate all ethnicities into Orthodoxy.....well regardless he would answer my rude posts with calmness, never once did he show any anger towards me nor did he give up on me, he actually started emailing me personally, and would have an Orthodox answer for every question I had regarding the religion be it big or small. Finally one day I woke up early on a sunday and thought to myself this can't be right, why is Fr. Demetrius so calm with me, why is he waisting his time on me.....and then it hit me I had to go to church so I went that sunday and afterwards talked with my Parish Priest (Fr. Alexander) whom I have always like and respected and told him my feelings about orthodoxy and church......and he like Fr. Demetrius told me that we would take baby steps together. So I started going every Sunday and eventually I became more involved with the spiritual sense of Orthodoxy but I am still talking baby steps.... I know I have along way to go but I am active now in my Macedonian Orthodox Community.

3) Where do I live?

I like someone else here on the forum live in South Western Ontario, Windsor to be exact.

4) How old am I?

I am 28

5) Whats my name ?

My baptized name is Dimitar, but I have never been called that other then by my Parish Priest....I go by Jimmy.

6) Patron Saint ?

St. Dimitrius or Sv. Dimitrija (I am assuming your Patron Saint is the Saint you share your Name Day with.....remember people I am taking baby steps.........if its not my family celebrates St. Naum because that is my fathers and we have always had huge dinners and company over for that name day)

7) Church I attend

Sv. Nikola Macedonian Orthodox Church (just outside of Windsor)


8) Do I still sin?


Yes everyday, and some of my thought process is going to need to change specially on certain social issues but like I said Baby steps



To sum it up: I was born into an Ortodox Family, never was interested in the spiritual part of Orthodoxy, until recently and now am. I am Macedonian Orthodox. I am also part of the Macedonian Orthodox Youth Association of N.American and President of the Windsor Chapter and the Southern Ontario District....cheap plug check us out, do a google search on MOYANA (I had to do that since I can't post up a link) gives better information about the organization.



Warning about me: I am not that diplomatic , some of my posts will probally offend some people... and most likely if it is what I feel I will not apologize for writing what I wrote. There is a person here that has read my posts on another forum and he is the one that actually invited me to this forum.....but told me to tone it down abit....and I will try just as long as no one brings up a subject that I am passionate about. I guess you can say I am very opinionated

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

Hi, Jimmy. :wave: I'm breaking the rules a bit, because we aren't suppose to post more than once on this particular thread......but I just wanted to say that I attend an Orthodox Church that is Macedonian, although it is technically OCA. Great people!Just thought I'd mention that. Welcome again! And watch those passions. We're suppose to be battling those with prayer and fasting.:)

[Wiffey]

Hello! I'm Laura...Patron St.= St.Barbara
I was baptized RC as an infant, grew up in a family that was RC/Jewish. My daughter and I were welcomed into the Orthodox Church by chrismation in 2002. I married my husband a little less than a year later. We attend Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in CT. My father in law is a chanter (originally from the peloponesse) and my dear husband is a former altar-boy. I can't say enough about how my husband lives his faith: his kindness shines through his every action. It is what drew me to him and drew me to explore Orthodoxy: I wanted to know what made him such an awesome guy.
I goof up a lot but am trying hard to live for God and let Christ's love shine through me, too. Trouble is, I'm not so luminous most of the time...:sorry: .
in IC XC,
Wiffey

[unworthy seraphim]

Greetings,

I've been a member of the Orthodox faith since 1998, though I have believed in the Orthodox faith since 95. My journey is by way of the Southern Baptist Church, Methodism, and the Charismatic movement. By the grace of God I was received into the Orthodox Church in Tokyo at Nickolai-Do (Holy Resurrrection) by Fr. John Takahashi under the omiphor of his eminnence the late Metropolitan Theodosius. When I returned to my home state of MS after a long time overseas I was accepted into the OCA parish of Holy Resurrection in Clinton MS.

This is my first visit and post to this forum site, which I have join on the invitation of grov's family above, specifically his wife, Andrea Elizabeth.

There are a lot of hoops and do dad here: reputation, health, blessings, avatars, etc. perhaps some kind soul will reply or message me with an explaination as to what it all is and how it works.

[Orthosdoxa]

Greetings,

I've been a member of the Orthodox faith since 1998, though I have believed in the Orthodox faith since 95. My journey is by way of the Southern Baptist Church, Methodism, and the Charismatic movement. By the grace of God I was received into the Orthodox Church in Tokyo at Nickolai-Do (Holy Resurrrection) by Fr. John Takahashi under the omiphor of his eminnence the late Metropolitan Theodosius. When I returned to my home state of MS after a long time overseas I was accepted into the OCA parish of Holy Resurrection in Clinton MS.

This is my first visit and post to this forum site, which I have join on the invitation of grov's family above, specifically his wife, Andrea Elizabeth.

There are a lot of hoops and do dad here: reputation, health, blessings, avatars, etc. perhaps some kind soul will reply or message me with an explaination as to what it all is and how it works.


Seraphim!!!! Is that really you??? :wave: :hug:

I don't frequent that "other" board too much anymore, therefore I haven't communicated with you in a very long time (I try to stay away from nonOrthodox boards entirely these days) but both Moses and I were always grateful for your defenses of Orthodoxy and learned much.

*briefly wonders if it's possible this is the wrong "unworthyseraphim" and whether or not she can greatly confuseed some poor newbie....*

[Andrea Elizabeth]

I'm Andrea Elizabeth, George's (grov) wife, and I learned about Orthodoxy from Unworthyseraphim above at a different Protestant forum. I'd never heard of it before his explanations, and have drunk it in as the Answer above all I could ask or think. My husband, 6 kids and I are now Catechumens at an OCA church. Perhaps we'll be chrismated and baptised around Pascha. Praise the Lord for bringing us here! :crosseo:

[Suzannah]

God bless unworthyseraphim, grov and Andrea!

Glory be to God that the Kingdom was increased by 3!!!!!
:clap:

[Orthosdoxa]

Au contraire, Suzannah. :) 9. They have 6 kidlets. :clap:

[MariaRegina]

Au contraire, Suzannah. :) 9. They have 6 kidlets. :clap:
:D :pray:

[grov]

Au contraire, Suzannah. :) 9. They have 6 kidlets. :clap:

And the kidlets are all girls, except for 4 of them.

George :prayer:

[MariaRegina]

And the kidlets are all girls, except for 4 of them.

George :prayer:

You have enough boys for a basketball team.

[Vasya Davidovich]

Hi. I am Vasya Davidovich here, and Basil in the world. Basil was originally my baptismal name only - however, I made everyone call me by my new name from the moment of my Chrismation, and then had it changed legally a couple years later.

I belong to a parish in the American Carpatho-Rusyn Orthodox Greek Catholic Diocese in the U.S.A. It sounds scary, but we are really nice, and our metropolitan is a teddy bear of a man.

Hmmm. I am an art teacher and all-purpose researcher. Single. Sort of. Hoping to find a lovely Orthodox wife in a world without single Orthodox women.

Background: Grandson of Baptist missionary and minister. Son of Baptist missionary and pastor. Found Orthodoxy in University after having drifted through Baptist, Wesleyan, hyper-charismatic, Anglican, and Catholic churches; was Chrismated within the year, on February 13, 1999. My patron saint is St. Basil the Great.

I am particularly close to St. James the Brother of Our Lord, and of course, the Theotokos. When I am not in rebellion, I am deeply in love with Christ's Church. (I don't think it coincidence my first communion was on Western Valentine's Day.)

[unworthy seraphim]

Dear Anonykat,

Yes, its me. Good to see you again...so many fond and familiar voices gone or quenched at the other site.

[tizziale]

I'd just like to say that my journey to Orthodoxy has been greatly influenced by unworthy Seraphim as well. He gave me some of my first books on the Church, my first rides to Divine Liturgy, and God willing he will be my sponsor for the Catechumate! Good to see you here, Seraphim.

Rusty

[Mary of Bethany]

It's wonderful to have you here Basil & Seraphim & Andrea Elizabeth, & grov & everybody else who has joined lately!

I hope you find this a helpful and friendly place. :wave:

[Fotina]

Here goes my 1st post on TAW after lurking for some time.

I was chrismated into the Church, Antiochian parish of NA, on Holy Saturday 2002. I was formerly LCMS.

My favorite Orthodox reading right now is lives of Saints, which is inspiring and extremely humbling. I'm afraid I would probably be like many contemporaries of the saints who could not recognize and appreciate them.

I'm very impressed by posts from the very young members of TAW like Niko, Marjorie and others. I'm a grandmother, yet young in the faith, so please be patient.:)

May God continue to bless you all in your journeys in Him.:crosseo:

[xenia]

Welcome, Fotina! Welcome and God bless you!

[Marjorie]

Welcome Fotina! And thank you for your mention of me but I assure you that any false eloquence I have here is made up by the fact that I have much, much to learn in life experience.

God bless you!!!

In IC XC,
Marjorie

[Orthosdoxa]

Here goes my 1st post on TAW after lurking for some time.

I was chrismated into the Church, Antiochian parish of NA, on Holy Saturday 2002. I was formerly LCMS.

My favorite Orthodox reading right now is lives of Saints, which is inspiring and extremely humbling. I'm afraid I would probably be like many contemporaries of the saints who could not recognize and appreciate them.

I'm very impressed by posts from the very young members of TAW like Niko, Marjorie and others. I'm a grandmother, yet young in the faith, so please be patient.:)

May God continue to bless you all in your journeys in Him.:crosseo:
Welcome, Fotina! Tell us about your grandkids. :)

[Fotina]

Welcome, Fotina! Tell us about your grandkids. :)They are beautiful of course! Anastasia, is 6 yo. She, her parents, and I were chrismated together. Michael (for the archangel) is 2 yo. He's soooo cute. I wish they lived closer. But then, they are no further than my heart and very near in prayer.:crosseo:

Thanks for the welcome Anonykat, Marjorie, and Xenia.

[Orthosdoxa]

Oh my goodness...

Be sure to check your private message box. :)

[Andromeda]

Hello everyone :wave: ,

I've been invited to post here and introduce myself. I get very nervous and shy in front of people so please don't look at me funny. :eek: Just kidding. You can make faces at me if you want to!

My mother is a Christian and sent had me to Sunday school since I was a toddler at what I know now to be a non-denominational church. I attended that church, became a Christian there (around the age of eight or ten), and was baptized there (at 17 or 18). I attended a Roman Catholic public school and attended the masses they would hold during school days. On Sundays, I would return to my non-denominational church.

Eventually, I had to make the move to university, where I looked for a local branch of that same non-denominational church. I found one, and I really liked being there. Unfortunately, the distance was a little far and ended up attending a community church that provided transportation to students.

After university, I had to make another move and am in another transitional state to seek a new church to belong to. I attend a new non-denominational church (again infrequently because of a great distance) and am looking for something closer to home. This September, while visiting a different town, I had my first introduction to an Orthodox service (liturgy?).

Now, one month later, I'm still asking questions and finding out what it is to be Orthodox. I hope no one minds. :) Hopefully, if nothing else, my questions can begin as a starting point for other inquisitors about the Orthodox church. You never know, God uses us in mysterious ways according to his purpose. Hurrah!

As an aside, the example of Christianity that I've seen from my mother and grandmother (her old pictures, possessions) lead me to think that they had Roman Catholic beginnings.

[Rilian]

Now, one month later, I'm still asking questions and finding out what it is to be Orthodox. I hope no one minds. :)

That's what we're here for. Welcome!

[Orthosdoxa]

Hello everyone :wave: ,

I've been invited to post here and introduce myself. I get very nervous and shy in front of people so please don't look at me funny. :eek: Just kidding. You can make faces at me if you want to!

My mother is a Christian and sent had me to Sunday school since I was a toddler at what I know now to be a non-denominational church. I attended that church, became a Christian there (around the age of eight or ten), and was baptized there (at 17 or 18). I attended a Roman Catholic public school and attended the masses they would hold during school days. On Sundays, I would return to my non-denominational church.

Eventually, I had to make the move to university, where I looked for a local branch of that same non-denominational church. I found one, and I really liked being there. Unfortunately, the distance was a little far and ended up attending a community church that provided transportation to students.

After university, I had to make another move and am in another transitional state to seek a new church to belong to. I attend a new non-denominational church (again infrequently because of a great distance) and am looking for something closer to home. This September, while visiting a different town, I had my first introduction to an Orthodox service (liturgy?).

Now, one month later, I'm still asking questions and finding out what it is to be Orthodox. I hope no one minds. :) Hopefully, if nothing else, my questions can begin as a starting point for other inquisitors about the Orthodox church. You never know, God uses us in mysterious ways according to his purpose. Hurrah!

As an aside, the example of Christianity that I've seen from my mother and grandmother (her old pictures, possessions) lead me to think that they had Roman Catholic beginnings.

:wave:

I hope you enjoy it here and that your first visit to the Divine Liturgy won't be the last. :)

[Prawnik]

New here, "Andrei" in the Church, "Kevin" or "Hey you!" in the world. I was baptised on August 8th, 2002, in a little town in Ukraine. Because of some of the jurisdictional unpleasantness troubling Ukraine, I guess I should spell that out; I was baptised by Father Vladimir, a priest of the Russian Orthodox Church, Moscow Patriarchate.

My patron Saint is Andrew the First-Called, and I attend the wonderful St. Raphael's Antiochian Orthodox Mission in Iowa City, Iowa. I was raised Lutheran, spent most of my young adulthood as a fairly militant atheist, then spent eight years attending Orthodox services and saying "maybe, but". I was only stalling for time and trying to fool myself.

I was living and working in Poland when I first broached the subject of conversion - the priest told me that, as an American, I had no need of becoming Orthodox. Finally, Archbishop Iov of Sumy in Ukraine gave his blessing for me to be received into the Church.

I am a member of the Body of Christ, however I believe that I am still in the process of converting to Orthodoxy, and that, at the least, this process shall continue throughout my earthly life.

God willing, my younger sister will be received into the Church by Chrismation this Pascha. Pray for her. :crosseo:

[Prawnik]

Doublepost.

God willing, my younger sister will be received into the Church by Chrismation this Pascha. Pray for her. :crosseo:

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

New here, "Andrei" in the Church, "Kevin" or "Hey you!" in the world. I was baptised on August 8th, 2002, in a little town in Ukraine. Because of some of the jurisdictional unpleasantness troubling Ukraine, I guess I should spell that out; I was baptised by Father Vladimir, a priest of the Russian Orthodox Church, Moscow Patriarchate.

My patron Saint is Andrew the First-Called, and I attend the wonderful St. Raphael's Antiochian Orthodox Mission in Iowa City, Iowa. I was raised Lutheran, spent most of my young adulthood as a fairly militant atheist, then spent eight years attending Orthodox services and saying "maybe, but". I was only stalling for time and trying to fool myself.

I was living and working in Poland when I first broached the subject of conversion - the priest told me that, as an American, I had no need of becoming Orthodox. Finally, Archbishop Iov of Sumy in Ukraine gave his blessing for me to be received into the Church.

I am a member of the Body of Christ, however I believe that I am still in the process of converting to Orthodoxy, and that, at the least, this process shall continue throughout my earthly life.

God willing, my younger sister will be received into the Church by Chrismation this Pascha. Pray for her. :crosseo:
Welcome, Prawnik!:wave: This forum has helped me a lot in my conversion process (I haven't been received into the Church yet). I pray it will be helpful for you as well. Feel free to ask any questions, share your life, goof off, and what-not.:)

[Rdr Iakovos]

Hello: Reader Iakovos, known alternatively as James and Scott (given name). My namesake is James the Brother of the Lord, whom we also know as James the Just. He was a very righteous and pious man of great reputation; I am someone who could stand a great deal more of each of those qualities.

I was received by holy Chrismation into the Holy Orthodox faith on Lazarus Saturday, 2003 with my wife and 5 of our 6 children. Eldest son is a catechumen. I was tonsured Reader in August of 2003 by Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago, and served with my spiritual father and priest of until his sudden death this last August 28 (may his memory be eternal). Currently taking some time to take stock and grieve.

I was raised as a nominal Lutheran, found the Charismatic faith at age 27, served as a pastor for 5 years in a non-denominational church, and met three Orthodox Christians, including my dear friend of blessed memory at an ecumenical gathering in 1999. The rest, as they say, is history.

Though I read a great deal, and remember most of what I read, I know very little with certainty- but I do know this:
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs, bestowing Life.

May the blessings of He who is sovereign over the living and the dead come upon you and abide now and forever and unto the endless ages.

Reader Iakovos

[gzt]

Dude! Kevin, I know you. How's it going?

[Rilian]

Welcome Prawnik and Iakovos (and anyone else I'm missing)!

[Mary of Bethany]

Welcome, Reader Iakovos!

I'm sorry to hear about the death of your dear friend and spiritual father. May his memory be eternal.

I hope you find this a nice welcoming place. :)

[Prawnik]

Dude! Kevin, I know you. How's it going?
Umm...Dude! Could be worse. Send me a PM when you get the chance.

[nicodemus]

I always love to read the stories in here. :)

[Reader Nilus]

I agree with Nicodemus, that the stories here are very good.
Reader Nilus

[33ad]

Hi
My name is Nikolai, (Philip Loren to the world) and I and my wife Seraphima (Brenda to the world) were received into Holy Orthodoxy by charismation on April 4 2004 (Palm Sunday). I can't forget the date, 'cause it was 04/04/04!

I don't know why God took so long to show us the Ancient Way, but He has His own timetable. I'm only very happy and blessed that He did.

Kolya

Johannesburg,
South Africa

[OrthodoxSeeker]

Hello Old Friends! As I have not visited CF since last April I thought it best if I say hello once again. It's been 8 months of prayer and thoughtful consideration. I left the catechumenate but consider myself a very serious inquirer. I thought some of my very early posts were a bit rough around the edges. The time away gave me time to get myself focused and learn a little patience. I look foreward to serious and thoughtful participation and I thank those who have showered me with blessings on my return to CF. As I said back in January I believe my Orthodox grandmother prays for me from Heaven. I am grateful to be back with you all.

[Stephanida]

Hello my name is Stephanie and I am named after the Holy Martyr Stephanida, who's namesday is Nov 11th (old calander). I found TAW by trying to find a Orthodox website to support me as the closest Orthodox church is a 6 hour drive from where I live. I was baptized when I was 4 years old because that is when my parents converted to Orthodoxy. My parents can't even remember when I was baptized. *Sigh* I became a well "real" Orthodox about 2 years ago, from the misguided attiudes of my parents I felt that church was little more than a chore to be dealt with and go on with your life. I now embrace God and praise Him every day.

Right now I am going through a diffcult point in my life and I am clinging to my faith more than ever!

I live in a city that is very hostile to Orthodox.

And I belong to Saint Alexander Nevesky Russian Orthodox Church. That is lead by the amazing Father Chad Williams, Father Chad has helped me through a lot of hard times he is the most amazing priest a foolish young Orthodox like me could ever hope for!

Well that is all there is to tell about me.

With love in Christ,

Stephanida

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

Hello my name is Stephanie and I am named after the Holy Martyr Stephanida, who's namesday is Nov 11th (old calander). I found TAW by trying to find a Orthodox website to support me as the closest Orthodox church is a 6 hour drive from where I live. I was baptized when I was 4 years old because that is when my parents converted to Orthodoxy. My parents can't even remember when I was baptized. *Sigh* I became a well "real" Orthodox about 2 years ago, from the misguided attiudes of my parents I felt that church was little more than a chore to be dealt with and go on with your life. I now embrace God and praise Him every day.

Right now I am going through a diffcult point in my life and I am clinging to my faith more than ever!

I live in a city that is very hostile to Orthodox.

And I belong to Saint Alexander Nevesky Russian Orthodox Church. That is lead by the amazing Father Chad Williams, Father Chad has helped me through a lot of hard times he is the most amazing priest a foolish young Orthodox like me could ever hope for!

Well that is all there is to tell about me.

With love in Christ,

Stephanida
This is wonderful, Stephanie!:clap: I figure you to be about 16 then, right? You and Marjorie will get along famously, I just know it.:) She is 16, and a wonderful Orthodox catechumen who knows lots of STUFF. And then there's Niko, the ladies man, who I think is 15. And I believe Nickolai is 19. So, there are other teens here, too. We have a few other Canadians, too.

[Spyridon]

Hello everyone,

Thought I would introduce myself. I'm glad I found this forum.

I'm Steve to be Chrismated Spyridon 12/19/04 along with my wife and two children.

I was raised and remained a fundamentalist Baptist for nearly 30 years. Growing weary of the shallowness of the representation of Christianity I found myself in, I knew there had to be something more to it. This led to looking into the history of the Church.

Unfortunately, being Romaphobic, it took me a while to get to the truth. Not knowing anything about Eastern Christianity, and "knowing" the Roman Catholic Church was apostate, I had only the various reformed/ protestant groups as options. Church history was not stressed in my circles unless it was Baptistic pseudo-history (the Apostles were Baptists).

For sake of keeping this short I'll move quickly through the next couple of years. After discovering Calvin and becoming a Calvinistic Baptist, I looked more into the reformation, and I also learned about the Church fathers and began to read some of them. Through this I eventually discovered the Eastern Church. Now with the choices before me what was I to believe to be THE true faith?

Here began my journey. I became a Presbyterian (PCA) while still looking into Lutheranism (Orthodoxy was way on the back burner - a little scarey). Before actually joining the Presbyterian church I became a Lutheran (Missouri Synod). I had become convinced that baptism and communion were more than mere symbols. I wasn't a Lutheran long. The infighting between the confessional and more "liberal" members in the LCMS, and the varying practices in each parish (open communion verses closed for example) and my journey thus far led me to question the lynch pin doctrine of Protestantism. I had concluded sola Scriptura was bunk.

After a year as a Lutheran I attended my first Orthodox Divine Liturgy. My poor wife had been following me through this all along. I thank God for her. During the service I realized I had finally found my home. I had been reading about Orthodoxy and became more and more convinced of the truth and. Attending the Liturgy clinched it. One thing that really touched me was a young mother walking around the church with her baby in her arms. She stopped before an icon of Christ and the child gazed at it and reached out to touch it (Him). This is what I was looking for, true theology, worship, and spirituality.

That first liturgy was just after Christmas last year, and in a couple of weeks our family will be received into the Church through Chrismation. This is the last stop. For me the Orthodox Church is the true Church or Christianity is nonsense.

I hope this wasn't too long for an introduction, and I look forward to getting to know the people here.

Steve (soon to be Spyridon)

[Prawnik]

Welcome to TAW, Spyridon!

[Rilian]

Greetings from me as well Spyridon. I also took my wife on the religion roller coaster ride, luckily she stayed with me!

[Stephanida]

Welcome to TAW Spyridon, I'm glad you found this site and congradulations on your Chrismation!!! May God Grant you many years!

With love in Christ,

Stephanida

[xenia]

During the service I realized I had finally found my home.

That's what happened to me, too.

Welcome and God bless!

Love, Xenia

[vanshan]

Congratulations Spyridon and family!!!

I was baptised Missouri Synod Lutheran as a baby, but spent most of my life attending a Church of God, Anderson, IN, until becoming charismatic/pentecostal at 16. I was led to Orthodoxy in much the same way as you. I started studying our Christian heritage and quickly saw the shallowness of the beliefs I held. In short, I have been Orthodox nearly 10 years. My two children were both baptised and my formerly Southern Baptist wife was just chrismated into the Church November 20.

Welcome to TAW!

[Apostolos]

Hello everyone,

Thought I would introduce myself. I'm glad I found this forum.

I'm Steve to be Chrismated Spyridon 12/19/04 along with my wife and two children.

I was raised and remained a fundamentalist Baptist for nearly 30 years. Growing weary of the shallowness of the representation of Christianity I found myself in, I knew there had to be something more to it. This led to looking into the history of the Church.

Unfortunately, being Romaphobic, it took me a while to get to the truth. Not knowing anything about Eastern Christianity, and "knowing" the Roman Catholic Church was apostate, I had only the various reformed/ protestant groups as options. Church history was not stressed in my circles unless it was Baptistic pseudo-history (the Apostles were Baptists).

For sake of keeping this short I'll move quickly through the next couple of years. After discovering Calvin and becoming a Calvinistic Baptist, I looked more into the reformation, and I also learned about the Church fathers and began to read some of them. Through this I eventually discovered the Eastern Church. Now with the choices before me what was I to believe to be THE true faith?

Here began my journey. I became a Presbyterian (PCA) while still looking into Lutheranism (Orthodoxy was way on the back burner - a little scarey). Before actually joining the Presbyterian church I became a Lutheran (Missouri Synod). I had become convinced that baptism and communion were more than mere symbols. I wasn't a Lutheran long. The infighting between the confessional and more "liberal" members in the LCMS, and the varying practices in each parish (open communion verses closed for example) and my journey thus far led me to question the lynch pin doctrine of Protestantism. I had concluded sola Scriptura was bunk.

After a year as a Lutheran I attended my first Orthodox Divine Liturgy. My poor wife had been following me through this all along. I thank God for her. During the service I realized I had finally found my home. I had been reading about Orthodoxy and became more and more convinced of the truth and. Attending the Liturgy clinched it. One thing that really touched me was a young mother walking around the church with her baby in her arms. She stopped before an icon of Christ and the child gazed at it and reached out to touch it (Him). This is what I was looking for, true theology, worship, and spirituality.

That first liturgy was just after Christmas last year, and in a couple of weeks our family will be received into the Church through Chrismation. This is the last stop. For me the Orthodox Church is the true Church or Christianity is nonsense.

I hope this wasn't too long for an introduction, and I look forward to getting to know the people here.

Steve (soon to be Spyridon):thumbsup:
greetings Steve (soon to be Spyridon), I'm also newbie here...congratulations to U & your family :clap:
btw, U know that you're named after St. Spyridon of Tremithos, Cyprus, the patron st of the Greek island of Corfu right? St. Spyridon is often called Theophoros, "the God carrier", and is believed to have worked many miracles. The people of Corfu respect him very much...you should visit the island soon to receive his blessings & grace...:wave:

[Spyridon]

:thumbsup:
greetings Steve (soon to be Spyridon), I'm also newbie here...congratulations to U & your family :clap:
btw, U know that you're named after St. Spyridon of Tremithos, Cyprus, the patron st of the Greek island of Corfu right? St. Spyridon is often called Theophoros, "the God carrier", and is believed to have worked many miracles. The people of Corfu respect him very much...you should visit the island soon to receive his blessings & grace...:wave:
Thanks for the congratulations Apostolos.
Yes, that's the Spyridon :thumbsup: . I chose him for his example of humility and charity. His icon depicts him wearing a peasant's hat as a Bishop. I'll work on getting this icon for my avatar. I would love to travel to Corfu to venerate his relics. It would be great to go on the day that they parade his uncorrupted body through the streets.

[Apostolos]

My best wishes on your nameday (12/12)...:wave:

...may St.Spyridon's grace hallow every footstep you take in your life...

Δόξα έν ὑψίστοις Θεῶ
καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς εἰρήνη
ἐν ἀνθρώποις εὐδοκία

Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace
good will toward men

[Vjergo]

To Introduce myself, I am Nikolaj (known to the World as Vjergo Tilea Stanislovic). My patron is Philip, Holy Apostle of the Seventy, one of the Seven Deacons (the Converter of Ethiopia NOT One of the Twelve). I was baptised Orthodox, but was raised Catholic from a young age when my mother married a RC after my father's passing on. It was 3 years ago when I recovered my national culture and religion. I now pray every day, and celebrate my heritage in all I do. I belong to the The St. Sava Church, in Vancouver.
I'm glad that there are so many other Orthodox here to talk to, I live far from my Church or any other Orthodox, so it's hard to find a place to air my questions on discuss issues.

[Orthosdoxa]

Welcome Vjergo!! Nice to have you here! *wave*

[Marjorie]

Welcome Nikolaj! I am 17 like you (my birthday is two months before yours.) :)

In IC XC,
Marjorie

[Mary of Bethany]

Welcome, Vjergo!

My church is St. Sava, also - in Texas. :thumbsup:

[Stephanida]

Welcome Vjergo!

[Vjergo]

Thanks for the greets, all.

[ExOrienteLux]

I could just as easily update my post, but I feel this warrants a new one:

I was Chrismated on the Synaxis of the Theotokos, taking the name of the Holy Apostle Phillip of the Twelve.

Update the list, Rdr. Chris! I'm home!

+IC XC NIKA+
Phillip

[Marjorie]

I already said this on your LJ, but... MANY YEARS!!!!

In IC XC,
Marjorie

[Oblio]

Many Years Phillip and

Welcome Home !!

:clap: :clap: :clap:

[countrymousenc]

God grant you many years, Phillip!

[Stephanida]

May God grant you many years Phillip. Welcome Home!!!

[PandaBear]

Change of status: I am now fully Orthodox.


Hello,

I am a catechumen who always has more questions than answers...that probably won't change! Like, I have little understanding of how the word militants would apply to Orthodoxy, but I'm trusting that it's not as daunting as it sounds! :-)

Okay, I'm adding some here, a little more about me!

Spiritually, I was raised Roman Catholic, and even went to an RC school one year. After a dry spell (spiritually) during my undergraduate years, I became fascinated with the religions of the world, and so explored many of them, and practiced a few. A guy I worked with in the late 90s invited me to the small Orthodox church he went to, and it immediately attracted me (even though it took me some time to really settle into it). I might be chrismated in the next month or so, though I have questions and concerns I'll need to address beforehand. I don't necessarily mean here! Though like I said, I'm full of questions, so you never know :)

My profile is not very informative yet, but hopefully later tonight I can fill it up with fun and unnecessarily PB trivia!

Peace and all good,
PB

[Marjorie]

Hello,

I am a catechumen who always has more questions than answers...that probably won't change! Like, I have little understanding of how the word militants would apply to Orthodoxy, but I'm trusting that it's not as daunting as it sounds! :-)

PB

I think it's probably a reference to "the Church Militant" (i.e. the Church on earth) as opposed to "the Church Triumphant" (those who have gone to be with the Lord.) We're the Church militant because we are still engaged in "unseen warfare," fighting off evil and darkness within ourselves:

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Welcome (again) to TAW!!!

In IC XC,
Marjorie

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

Welcome to TAW, PandaBear!:wave: Tell us about yourself.:)





Hello,

I am a catechumen who always has more questions than answers...that probably won't change! Like, I have little understanding of how the word militants would apply to Orthodoxy, but I'm trusting that it's not as daunting as it sounds! :-)

PB

[mommelisa]

Hello,

I am new to Christian Forums, and I was really happy to see an Orthodox group!

I was baptised into Orthodoxy as an infant, but wandered away from the church when I was married. My husband is Catholic and we were married in a Catholic ceremony. I have two children, a 10 year old boy (on Jan 15) and an 8 year old girl. Both were baptized as infants by the same Catholic priest that married my husband and I.

For about 6 years during this time, I attended a non-denominational Bible church, but I felt something was missing. I had shied away from going back to the Orthodox church, for really silly reasons, but finally decided one day to visit Assumption Greek Orthodox Church which is right in my neighborhood in Scottsdale, AZ. Immediately upon entering, I felt I was home. The iconography, the smell, the language, the people, the presence of God in that small church, I felt home.

I attended for awhile before I finally spoke with Father Andrew about my history and my desire to have my marriage blessed by the Church. My husband, although Catholic and not interested in converting at this time, was completely understanding of my desire to have our marriage blessed and on September 20, 2003, in front of our families, friends and God, we were married in the Church. The most awesome thing, was that the very next day, on Sunday, both of my children were Chrismated and became members of the Church as well.

Growing up in the church, there is so much I didn't learn, I must not have been paying attention, but I am trying to make up for that now!

I'm glad to find you all!
Melisa

[Mary of Bethany]

Welcome, mommelisa!

[MariaRegina]

Welcome, mommelisa.

My son was 11 when he was chrismated and the next day, he served on the altar. He was so excited.

[Xpycoctomos]

Hello,

I am new to Christian Forums, and I was really happy to see an Orthodox group!

I was baptised into Orthodoxy as an infant, but wandered away from the church when I was married. My husband is Catholic and we were married in a Catholic ceremony. I have two children, a 10 year old boy (on Jan 15) and an 8 year old girl. Both were baptized as infants by the same Catholic priest that married my husband and I.

For about 6 years during this time, I attended a non-denominational Bible church, but I felt something was missing. I had shied away from going back to the Orthodox church, for really silly reasons, but finally decided one day to visit Assumption Greek Orthodox Church which is right in my neighborhood in Scottsdale, AZ. Immediately upon entering, I felt I was home. The iconography, the smell, the language, the people, the presence of God in that small church, I felt home.

I attended for awhile before I finally spoke with Father Andrew about my history and my desire to have my marriage blessed by the Church. My husband, although Catholic and not interested in converting at this time, was completely understanding of my desire to have our marriage blessed and on September 20, 2003, in front of our families, friends and God, we were married in the Church. The most awesome thing, was that the very next day, on Sunday, both of my children were Chrismated and became members of the Church as well.

Growing up in the church, there is so much I didn't learn, I must not have been paying attention, but I am trying to make up for that now!

I'm glad to find you all!
Melisa

Sounds like you have a wonderfully supportive husband.

Welcome to TAW!

John

[mommelisa]

Thank you, he really is very supportive. He does accompany us sometimes, he is just not ready for anything "organized". One day, though... :-)

[mommelisa]

Thank you for the welcome, Aria. My son also serves on the altar and although he was very nervous at first, he enjoys it as well. He was tonsured as a reader last year, too, but has yet to have the opportunity to do that. My daughter loves to sing, and amazingly enough, can sing almost the entire liturgy! Its just good to be home and have my family with me, you know?

[mommelisa]

Thank you, thank you!

[Rick of Wessex]

Hello Mommelisa and Pandabear! :wave:

Welcome to TAW!

Rick

[Khaleas]

I'm Jennie, originally from Finland but now living and married in the US. I'm finishing up my degree (I'm a late bloomer) this spring and my husband is in the Navy stationed in Norfolk, VA while I'm in MD.
I'm a cathecumen in the Finnish Orthodox Church and will hopefully be Chrismated late this spring as of now. When I started my inquiries I was still assuming I would return to Finland and that language is still my strongest so readings were easier to do that way.
Here I attend a Russian Orthodox Church (under the Patriarchate of Moscow) and feel very much at "home".

I'm very happy to have found this group!

Take care!

Edited for updates:
I was Chrismated Pasha 2005 at the ROC-MP church I attend here in Baltimore, MD. My husband and I got married in the church October, 2005. Please say a prayer that he too will at some point be recieved into the church.

I'm truly happy to be home and love all my friend here at TAW! :hug:

[Marjorie]

Welcome Jennie!!! :hug:

In IC XC,
Marjorie

[xenia]

Hi Jennie, we are glad you found us! Welcome and God bless you.

-Xenia

[Maximus]

I'm Jennie, originally from Finland but now living and married in the US. I'm finishing up my degree (I'm a late bloomer) this spring and my husband is in the Navy stationed in Norfolk, VA while I'm in MD.
I'm a cathecumen in the Finnish Orthodox Church and will hopefully be Chrismated late this spring as of now. When I started my inquiries I was still assuming I would return to Finland and that language is still my strongest so readings were easier to do that way.
Here I attend a Russian Orthodox Church (under the Patriarchate of Moscow) and feel very much at "home".

I'm very happy to have found this group!

Take care!

Welcome, Jennie!

I used to live in St. Mary's County, Maryland. My dad (a career Navy electronics engineer) was stationed at Patuxent River NAS and, later, at Norfolk NAS.

Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia, is my alma mater.

[rhyddid_rose]

To Life Immortal

Huomenta Jennie. Mitä kuuluu?

I am learning Finnish, a really cool language. I'm a foreign language fan, currently dealing with Finnish, Russian, Afrikaans and Greek. A friend got me hooked on it and I heard Finnish is a hard language, so I took the challenge.

Welcome to The Ancient Way.


Peace and Long Life
*** бабочка ***

[Khaleas]

Hi there! :wave:

Yes, Finnish is a difficult language to learn. There's a rule for the rule's rule. Good luck! I'm hoping to tackle Russian here sometimes soon. I go to a Russian Orthodox church and there are many natives there too. It would be fun to understand some of what they talk about at least.

[Rilian]

The one thing I remember most clearly about Helsinki was how beautiful the Uspenski cathedral was.

[Khaleas]

It's beautiful isn't it. If you search under Uspenski Cathedral on Goo-gle you'll find Terry Blackburn's site and he has some amazing pictures there.
If all goes according to what the priest has told me I will be chrismated in March and then hopefully if the priest agrees, married there in November.
So in addition to not knowing the date of the wedding due to the Navy I don't know if I have a church... adds to the suspense of planning that's for sure. If not, we'll just hold off (we did a civil service due to his clearance) and maybe we'll get it done one summer instead of the boring November.
They follow the new calender so I'll be in Finland for Pasha, then come back here and it's Pasha again in just over a month. Now I'm wondering which lent I should follow... :scratch:

[Rilian]

I found the site. He has some very good pictures. I had forgotten about the Temppeliaukio kirkko. That's an interesting little space.

Is your priest talking about chrismating you during Lent or after Pascha? Finland is the one church that follows the western Paschalion, correct?

[Khaleas]

Yes, Finland is the church that follows the western Paschalion. It started some decades ago when they applied for special permit for some reason and it never ended up going back. I will meet with my priest when I get to Finland in March (just before Holy Week) and we'll decide more then. So Lent I starts tomorrow, and then I get through Holy Week and Lent II has started. I'm on a limited fast as it is because of health issues, but I will spend the time praying more.
It's been an interesting experience doing the studying longdistance and going to church here. It just ended up being most natural that way. Even if my English is good some texts are harder to understand than others. Now I'm going through the "am I worthy to even join" moments and I follow the guidance I got from a monk and just repeat the Jesus Prayer. We talked for a long time last summer and he told me how everyone goes through those steps but to just keep praying.
When did you visit Finland?

[Rilian]

When did you visit Finland?

Back in the 80's on a high school trip. I was only there for a day on my way back from the Soviet Union.

I'll keep you in my prayers, one Lent was tough enough being last year was my first. Back to back Lents though. Ouch!

[Maximus]

I posted on this thread once already, but I didn't talk about Orthodoxy or say much about my bio other than from what university I graduated.

That's strange because I, along with Oblio, Philip and a few others, was actually one of the first few members of TAW when it was first created here.

I was baptized Lutheran as a baby and became a Southern Baptist as a teenager.

I fell away at the age of 20 and spent some years as an agnostic/atheist, which was really depressing.

After awhile I realized that I really did believe in God and that I could choose to believe in God if I wanted to. I returned to the Lutheran Church (LCMS), since I considered it the "faith of my (German) fathers."

The Bible, Church history, and a trip to Russia were used by the Holy Spirit to lead me to investigate Holy Orthodoxy.

I was also blessed to find a really awesome little Carpatho-Russian mission in my home state of Virginia, led by a fantastic, saintly priest, Father Nicholas.

I was received into the Orthodox Church by chrismation on October 15, (the Feast Day of St. Lucian of Kiev) 2000.

I took the name of Lucian after St. Lucian of Kiev, a Ukrainian priest-monk of the Kiev Caves martyred by the Mongols in the 12th century.

I use the screen name Maximus because I am a big fan of St. Maximus the Confessor and of the film Gladiator. :cool:

[Alexis OCA]

OK put me down: Sincere Inquirer

I believe that will change to Catechumen in the very near future. No turning back now. This is the right thing to do.

God grant this poor sinner perseverance.:crosseo:

Regards,
Grigori;)

[Verushka]

Hello, I'm Verushka. Didn't find this introduction thread until now. Typical of me :)
I come from Helsinki, Finland and was chrismated into the Holy Orhodox church last easter 2004 together with my fiancé. We attend St.Herman of Alaska church in Tapiola and Uspenski Cathedral in Helsinki. My patron saint is Holy martyr empress Alexandra.

I'm finishing my degree this spring.. finally after eight years of study. I work as an actor and have been studying directing and dramaturgy now for four years. I love to study languages: Japanese and russian are my newest ones. I've actually promised that I wont start new ones before I'm fluent in all the old ones.. but maybe I will have to start Greek before I promise that...

I'm so happy I have found this board..

Peace and love to you all!!

Verushka :crosseo:

[Xpycoctomos]

What were you before this? What brought you to the Church? How did you find the Church?

(Just curious)

[Alexis OCA]

Please change my status to: Catechumen:)

I know my maternal great-grandparents and grandmother of blessed memory are smiling down on me from heaven!

[mod note]
Updated - Congatulations !
[/note]

[Amandine]

...

Catechumen. :)

(for real this time :-D)

[MariaRegina]

...

Catechumen. :)

(for real this time :-D)

Congratulations and my prayers that you may grow strong in the faith.
I had a very difficult catechumenate as I had to learn to live the Orthodox Faith. Knowledge of the faith and practice of the faith are two different things.

Therefore, if you have any struggles, please be sure to be open with the priest as he's heard it all before. However, sometimes, in my experience too, another older but wiser convert to Orthodoxy can help, because they have been there and done that.

Read the conversion stories here also. They have been so inspirational. We have such awesome people in TAW. :crosseo:

Lovingly in Christ-God,
Elizabeth

[Xpycoctomos]

congratulations! Cbrickel... what's your story? What do the writings under you name mean?

[Amandine]

Thanks everyone :)

well, Chryostomos, it's quite a long one. A glimpse at my post history would show the varied path I've taken. Maybe I'll post more on it later, right now I gotta focus on my term paper :)

Oh, and if you can see the proper font, my user uh..subtitle? shows the Japanese word for "student"

[Xpycoctomos]

Unfortunately you can no longer look at someone's post history. I used to do that to get a feel for people. No longer possible.

[Verushka]

What were you before this? What brought you to the Church? How did you find the Church?

(Just curious)
Well I break the rule and answer here.. I was babtised as Evangelic Lutheran as a baby but our family didn't attend to church. Later at the age of 18 I resigned from that church feeling there wasn't anything for me. Following seven years I lived more or less like there where no tomorrow. I was very irresponsible towards my own life to the point that I nearly got myself killed... twice. But my guardian angel's been awake when I've been sleeping, thanks to her I got to keep my life and an opportunity to make another start. :angel: But thats another story... You can read from the conversions thread how I finally found The Holy Orthodox church. :)
Verushka

[Xpycoctomos]

Hey! you guys are coming up on easter aren't you in Finland (You have a special dispensation that allows you to celebrate it at the same time as the Lutherans... right?) Let me knwo.

John

[Amandine]

Unfortunately you can no longer look at someone's post history. I used to do that to get a feel for people. No longer possible.

All the better, I'd rather my posts were permenantly deleted...especially since an ex did an internet search and read all my personal thoughts on this board. Ugh, nightmare. :o

[Vasya Davidovich]

All the better, I'd rather my posts were permenantly deleted...especially since an ex did an internet search and read all my personal thoughts on this board. Ugh, nightmare. :o
That's awful. That's really, really awful.

[Xpycoctomos]

I prefer the word "creepy" myself.

[Verushka]

Hey! you guys are coming up on easter aren't you in Finland (You have a special dispensation that allows you to celebrate it at the same time as the Lutherans... right?) Let me knwo.

JohnYes! We are having the great week (is it great week in english? :sorry: ) at the moment! It's so funny that it's so early this year. There weren't too many days after Christmas until we started fasting againg..

[ManM]

Hi, I just wanted to throw my name on the pile. My name is Matthew, and I'm a cradle Orthodox. I stumbled across TAW after finding out about the Christian Forums from a thread at IIDB. It's a little like stumbling out of the desert onto a nice beach. :D

[Mary of Bethany]

Welcome, ManM!

Come on in - the water's fine! :wave:

Mary

[Khaleas]

Yes! We are having the great week (is it great week in english? :sorry: ) at the moment! It's so funny that it's so early this year. There weren't too many days after Christmas until we started fasting againg..

This week has way too many names... Great Week in Finnish, Calm Week in Swedish and I guess Holy Week in English... Not sure about the English one though. Calling 'em native speakers...

[Xpycoctomos]

Yes! We are having the great week (is it great week in english? :sorry: ) at the moment! It's so funny that it's so early this year. There weren't too many days after Christmas until we started fasting againg..

We call it Holy Week. :)

[moses916]

Hi, i am moses ibrahim(abraham whichever u prefer), i've been here for a week now, but i'd like to share my story. I was baptized into the Orthodox Church about 40 days after i was born, i lived in the middle east (Kuwait) for 17 years, however during the gulf war the only Orthodox church was destroyed badly so i ended up going to a Catholic Church for the longest time, and now in Canada I finally enjoy the freedom of going to an Orthodox Church! God bless! :)

[Mary of Bethany]

Wonderful!

And if I haven't already said it - - - - welcome, Moses!

Mary

[moses916]

:) Thanx! :) I'm glad to be here!

[Rilian]

Hi, i am moses ibrahim(abraham whichever u prefer), i've been here for a week now, but i'd like to share my story. I was baptized into the Orthodox Church about 40 days after i was born, i lived in the middle east (Kuwait) for 17 years, however during the gulf war the only Orthodox church was destroyed badly so i ended up going to a Catholic Church for the longest time, and now in Canada I finally enjoy the freedom of going to an Orthodox Church! God bless! :)

Ibrahim, just out of curiosity, what Orthodox church was it in Kuwait?

[moses916]

Greek Orthodox i believe, can't remember didn't go much, last time i was there was like 13 years ago before it was damaged!