Duh...um..I'm Orthodox

[Monica, child of God]

So I went to the doctor today and got weighed etc. by a woman from Sierra Leone. I was wearing black slacks, a black blouse, a jacket-sweater and an African headwrap. I also had a prayer rope round my wrist. The medical tech asked if I was Muslim. I said, "No, I am an Orthodox Christian."

"What's that? Is it like Jewish?" she asked.

I said, "No, er um...have you ever heard of Greek Orthodox or Russian Orthodox?"

"No."

"Well...um...its the Christianity practiced in the Middle East, where Christianity began...We keep the old ways...um..."

"You read the Bible?"

"Yes! Of course."

Then she had to go because another doctor needed her. Uhg! I felt so unprepared! I think I do okay if I have a lot of time and am talking to a person with some knowledge of Orthodoxy from literature or history. But when talking to someone without that background and in a short amount of time, I suck.

Does anyone have any tips? Should I carry tracts?

M.

[Vasya Davidovich]

No tracts! Is outrage!

Other than that, can't think of anything helpful.

Vasya.

[Knowledge3]

I got a prayer rope (chotki) also . . .

[Rowan]

I still do feel this way, sometimes.

Opening with "we're the original Church" could interest people.

I find that some people are interested in the history, so I use the "abbreviated version"--from the time of the original five historical Patriarchs, since the Pope of Rome is a familiar frame of reference to alot of people. After that though, I don't really mention the Catholic Church again unless they ask how we're different.

For my uncle though, it was ALL about our doctrine, so I pointed to the Nicene Creed, Tradition, and the Bible. That came after the "Well, there were five patriarchs..." talk first.

Tracts would be ok if the person actually wants them. They are usually a lot more eloquent than I am :sorry:

[EmperorConstantine]

I usually say the "we're mainly in Eastern Europe and the Middle East".

Or for the historians I bring up the Schism, saying that we're the Eastern half which Rome cut itself from! :D

Our sub-deacon usually says "you know how Paul wrote letters to the people in such-and-such cities? They're still there!"



I've never been a big fan of tracts; unless they are asked for.

[Philothei]

sorry... Monica I know it is absurd ....but I got the giggles reading your post... It is so typical. I know it is real problem but... the "are you reading the Bible" part is too funny... It happens to me all the time. Well, one tip ... try to avoid the word "Greek" they think we worship ZEUS and the twelve gods... lol...hehehe and that is why they ask about the bible. Being GOA ... I skip the Greek and say I am an Orhodox Christian (pun on Christian) as they have the tendency to call us Orthodox Jews....lol.... Then you got the question (sometimes) if you a Jew for Jesus (my favorite one ":D)

After I cut through the Jewish clam and the Pagan claim...ah... I just go with the flow... If they ask questions of what it is... then I tell them pretty much what Rowan said... a bit of history and defenately our differences with the Catholic Church, the conversation though never depens so that I could explain it further.

What is tracts? (sorry to ask... but never heard of it before..)

[HowardDean]

I've always known the term, and had a small idea what it was. Wasn't til this board (and my visitng last May) that I found out.
I love tracts!
We are the first church sounds good, it could pique interest, then you can direct them here to TAW.;)

[Orthosdoxa]

I don't think tracts are outrage - concilliar press has some EXCELLENT little booklets out there. There are also some much shorter tri-fold pamphlets that can be downloaded.

[Zinnia]

Well, one tip ... try to avoid the word "Greek" they think we worship ZEUS and the twelve gods...

I always just say, "Zeus who?" That stops them!:cool::P

[EmperorConstantine]

I always just say, "Zeus who?" That stops them!:cool::P
^_^

[MsDahl]

I love those tri-fold pamphlets. I have several in my home in the hopes that my in-laws will pick one up when they are visiting to quelch their curiosity. Alas, I am doubtful that they even have a curiosity.

You could also start off with "It is the Church that Jesus Christ insituted on this Earth."

I would love to get involved in a missions trip with the Church. It is not a common thing though.

[zhilan]

Just ask if they've seen "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."

[Nichole]

Just ask if they've seen "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."
Oh yes............that is a good idea! I have said that before! LOL!

Where we live and church we attend is the Greek Orthodox Church (there is an OCA like 30 miles away, but not many locals know--those that are non-Orthodox). So when I tell someone, "I'm an Orthodox Christian" they immediately say "Oh, you're Greek?". LOL! I want to say, "Do I look Greek?", because that is what they are inferring. Then of course everyone assumes hubby is Greek............^_^ ^_^ ^_^

Otherwise..........back to the topic............sorry, don't have any good suggestions. I usually fumble real good when asked questions. In my mind I know, but relaying it is another thing! ^_^

[Chocolatesa]

Our sub-deacon usually says "you know how Paul wrote letters to the people in such-and-such cities? They're still there!"

Lol I love this one :P

[Lukaris]

I cannot remember where I read this but it is not an urban legend. There was an instance of American evangelical Christians dining in a Jerusalem restaurant and their waiter was a local Orthodox Christian with his cross necklace which the Americans noticed and exclaimed, "So, when did you find the Lord?" (it was assumed he was Moslem of course).

[zhilan]

I cannot remember where I read this but it is not an urban legend. There was an instance of American evangelical Christians dining in a Jerusalem restaurant and their waiter was a local Orthodox Christian with his cross necklace which the Americans noticed and exclaimed, "So, when did you find the Lord?" (it was assumed he was Moslem of course).
He should have be like "ohh....let's see, I think my family found the Lord like...maybe 2000 years ago?"

[Philothei]

We endure everything for Christ's name ... right??

I am not ashamed... I have been called a "hypoctir" and "idolater" by others before... no big deal. May God have mercy on me a true sinner.. Here I am complaining for my burder...

:(

[Veritas_et_Puritas]

Our sub-deacon usually says "you know how Paul wrote letters to the people in such-and-such cities? They're still there!"

I LOVE that answer! Haha. "They're still there!" And it's entirely true.

Whenever I meet an Orthodox Christian they are so relieved that I know about them. They often tell me that people usually think they are Jewish!

[HowardDean]

It was this area of this board (and especially Orthodoxyusa) who got me interested enough to find out!:holy:

[EmperorConstantine]

I LOVE that answer! Haha. "They're still there!" And it's entirely true.

Whenever I meet an Orthodox Christian they are so relieved that I know about them. They often tell me that people usually think they are Jewish!
I've had the Jewish assumption happen once. It was very awkward.

Fortunately, the person in question knew that there was some sort of Schism around 1054, so I said "We're the Eastern half that Rome left". They didn't seem to grasp the idea that Rome left the Church it claimed to have been the center-of-the-world of.

I cannot remember where I read this but it is not an urban legend. There was an instance of American evangelical Christians dining in a Jerusalem restaurant and their waiter was a local Orthodox Christian with his cross necklace which the Americans noticed and exclaimed, "So, when did you find the Lord?" (it was assumed he was Moslem of course).
Yow!

We have a couple Palestinian yai-yai types in our parish that would not be to keen on being thought of former Muslims!

Just ask if they've seen "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."
:D

One of the Greek parishes in the area throws a huge Greek Festival every year that is quite well known in the city. When I tell people in the city that I'm Orthodox and I get the reflexive confused look, I say "You know the Greek Festival at the Greek church? At mine, we pray in English" ;):P

[Historynut]

I actually had what Philothei mentioned happen to me. When I told my mom I had been going to a Greek Orthodox Church she asked if we worshipped zeus.

But the whole are you Jewish? Question seems much more common. I usually explain that for the 1,000 years we were half of the Chruch that is now called the Roman Catholic church. Lots of people then respond oh those Eastern Catholics right?:scratch:

[Anhelyna]

hehe - and when I say I'm Eastern Catholic I can see the balloon over peoples heads saying

" what on earth is THAT ? "

Their faces just have that sort of glazed , blank wondering confused sort of expression .

[MariaRegina]

Oh yes............that is a good idea! I have said that before! LOL!

Where we live and church we attend is the Greek Orthodox Church (there is an OCA like 30 miles away, but not many locals know--those that are non-Orthodox). So when I tell someone, "I'm an Orthodox Christian" they immediately say "Oh, you're Greek?". LOL! I want to say, "Do I look Greek?", because that is what they are inferring. Then of course everyone assumes hubby is Greek............^_^ ^_^ ^_^


Same here. They just think that I kept my maiden name and that my husband must be Greek especially when he wears the Greek captain's hat which he bought at the Greek festival.

Although I have been told that I look like a member of the Papadoupolos family. And I have even been asked what part of Athens I was born in.

Yes, I have long dark hair that does not hold a curl .. just like many other Greeks.

[Kolya]

"You read the Bible?"
"Yes! Of course."


I usually answer "We're the guys that put it together!" (The New Testament part anyhow.)

That usually gets a jaw drop!;)

[MariaRegina]

I usually answer "We're the guys that put it together!" (The New Testament part anyhow.)

That usually gets a jaw drop!;)

But then some of the more fundamentalist protestants complain that we are using the wrong version of the Bible and that we added some books, etc.

[NewGuy101]

I've never ran into and EO, it would be nice if I did.

[MariaRegina]

Dear New Guy,

Go to a Greek Festival. They usually advertise widely.

There is a website that lists all the Orthodox churches near you.

[wynd]

There is a websites that lists all the Orthodox churches near you.

http://www.orthodoxyinamerica.org/

P.S. NewGuy101: love the profile pic!

[EmperorConstantine]

Same here. They just think that I kept my maiden name and that my husband must be Greek especially when he wears the Greek captain's hat which he bought at the Greek festival.
My dad bought one of those hats and wore it to work one day.

The ethnic Greek in his office said:
"You can't wear that hat. You're not Greek and you can't be Orthodox". To which my dad replied "Well, actually, I am Orthodox."
"Well, you're probably not active in your parish".
"Actually, I am a tonsured Reader at such-and-such parish".

His colleague's jaw hit the ground and has have improved language ever since.:cool:

[Philothei]

Are we are making an ethnic call now EC? There are "bad" Greeks and "good" ones... What was the point? That Greeks are xenophobic again?? yeah some of them are villager Greeks who came here young and they have their insecurities...I take offense to that. What about Russians talking to me Russian in one of the parishes...and if I do not respond in the same language they ignore you? It can happen everywhere.. and pointing the figure to the Greeks does not show unity rather disunity and pointing the finger.. Personally I am tired of these derocatory comments of this forum....

see ya all...

[Anhelyna]

Hehe - no-one could be worse than Ukes - honest.

It has taken me a year to work my acceptance in my Parish.

I knew it had worked when our Priest actually used my name at Communion instead of 'the handmaid of God '

If I go to coffee after DL the men all talk in Ukie and the women are not much better

[EmperorConstantine]

Are we are making an ethnic call now EC? There are "bad" Greeks and "good" ones... What was the point?
The point?

Recounting a story that I found very humorous relating to assumptions and being Orthodox.

Maria had said that people think her husband is Greek because he has a Greek captain's hat. My dad's colleague assumed that my dad was being some sort of impostor, wannabe or poser; yet did not seem to think that my dad could have been Orthodox.

Not intended as a slam. But, if found offensive, I may remove.

[MariaRegina]

My dad bought one of those hats and wore it to work one day.

The ethnic Greek in his office said:
"You can't wear that hat. You're not Greek and you can't be Orthodox". To which my dad replied "Well, actually, I am Orthodox."
"Well, you're probably not active in your parish".
"Actually, I am a tonsured Reader at such-and-such parish".

His colleague's jaw hit the ground and has have improved language ever since.:cool:

That is funny.
Your dad is courageous to stand up for the faith.

Good for him.


On the other hand, my son looks very Russian because my husband is half Swedish and half Norwegian, so sometimes people speak to him in Russian, especially when he wears the Russian police jacket from It's a Wrap here in Burbank, California. He responds, "Lord have mercy" in Church Slavonic.

He was once stopped by a police officer when he had just gotten off the set for a movie he was in -- and he was wearing that jacket. At first my son though that he might be arrested for impersonating an officer but the policeman laughed as he remembered seeing him there. The officer was just warning everyone that there was a road closure ahead.