So now I'm Orthodox

[Jezz]

About 3 and a half hours ago I was baptised and christmated into the Orthodox Church. Tomorrow morning I will receive my first communion.

Nothing much else to add at this stage. I'll see if I can get some photos up (I hope someone took photos... I tried to get about 3 people to do it... :smile:)

Yours in Christ,

Jeremy (Jeremias/Jeremiah - who is the Prophet depicted in my new avatar).

[tizzidale]

About 3 and a half hours ago I was baptised and christmated into the Orthodox Church. Tomorrow morning I will receive my first communion.

Nothing much else to add at this stage. I'll see if I can get some photos up (I hope someone took photos... I tried to get about 3 people to do it... :smile:)

Yours in Christ,

Jeremy (Jeremias/Jeremiah - who is the Prophet depicted in my new avatar).

Wow. I didn't even know you were a catechumen! Awsome, Jezz.

Many years!

[Jawa Man]

Yeah, what were you doing, converting in secret!?!? YOU TRAITOR TO THE ON-THE-FENCE CAUSE!!

Actually, that is awesome. Seriously. I made a huge smile and a light gasp when I read the title.

[Jezz]

Wow. I didn't even know you were a catechumen!
:smile: That's not surprising - I don't think I ever said anything about it. I much prefer to talk about the Faith and about God than about what's going on in my own comparatively insignificant life. Such things are much more important (not to mention much more interesting).

I was also forced to bring it forward somewhat because last Sunday my priest suddenly announced that he would be leaving in a couple of weeks. It seems that God got tired of me standing at the edge of the pool, dry, telling everyone how warm the water is, and decided to give me a gentle push. Who knows how much longer I would have procrastinated if this hadn't happened... :smile:

Awsome, Jezz.

Many years!
Thanks, Rusty.

So how much longer until you join us? :smile:

[furay]

About 3 and a half hours ago I was baptised and christmated into the Orthodox Church. Tomorrow morning I will receive my first communion.

Nothing much else to add at this stage. I'll see if I can get some photos up (I hope someone took photos... I tried to get about 3 people to do it... :smile:)

Yours in Christ,

Jeremy (Jeremias/Jeremiah - who is the Prophet depicted in my new avatar).

The Hosts of Heaven are rejoicing, Jeremias! I am so happy for you, friend. :hug:

God Grant you many years in health, safety, peace, love, joy, hope, and wisdom!

[Palinator]

Congratulations

[tizzidale]

So how much longer until you join us?

This upcoming Fall, I suppose. The catechumenate at my parish can last anywhere from six months to one year (or longer). I've only been a catechumen since December.

Rusty

[Hail Mary]

Congratulations Jezz!

How did you choose a Church? I think there was a time when I could have gone either Catholic or Orthodox, but I had a problem finding an Orthodox Church that was close enough to attend and also welcomed converts. If you're up for it, it would really be great to hear about your entire conversion experience, where it started, how you arrived at an Orthodox faith, and then to selecting a Church, or anything else you felt comfortable relating.

[spiritmech]

God bless ya! Praise the Lord.
sm

[Alden]

congrats man! I'm very happy for you. I just got home from catechism myself. This was a nice thread to stumble upon.

[Constantine]

Congradulations Jezz!

Welcome to the catholic Church!

I'm very happy for you.

[Amazing Rando]

About 3 and a half hours ago I was baptised and christmated into the Orthodox Church. Tomorrow morning I will receive my first communion.

Nothing much else to add at this stage. I'll see if I can get some photos up (I hope someone took photos... I tried to get about 3 people to do it... :smile:)

Yours in Christ,

Jeremy (Jeremias/Jeremiah - who is the Prophet depicted in my new avatar).

Savor the moment, J. I know you've been anticipating it. I pray the Lord blesses you in your new spiritual home.

BTW if I may ask, how'd your family take it?

[Agent Yoshi]

DDW gave me permission to post in this thread.

Congratulations, Jezz. How long did your <that big C/K word> last?

Did your baptism involve a full immersion?

Lastly, out of curiosity, which Patriciate (sp? - i'm not even sure if that's the right word) did you convert under?

[furay]

I'm not Jezz, but... what the hey... :teeth:


Did your baptism involve a full immersion?
I don't think it would be an Orthodox Baptism if it didn't involve full immersion.

Lastly, out of curiosity, which Patriciate (sp? - i'm not even sure if that's the right word) did you convert under?
I think he goes to an Antiochian Church, so that would put him under His Beatitude, Patriarch Ignatius IV.

[Adam]

congrats man! I'm very happy for you. I just got home from catechism myself. This was a nice thread to stumble upon.
Almost went that way myself,
before becoming Roman Catholic in 1969 and after leaving RC in 1992.
What still interests me is Western Rite Orthodoxy. Anyone heard of it?
Adam

[Agent Yoshi]

I've never heard of Western Rite Orthodoxy. Would any of our Orthodox posters care to enlighten us about them?

Almost went that way myself,
before becoming Roman Catholic in 1969 and after leaving RC in 1992.
What still interests me is Western Rite Orthodoxy. Anyone heard of it?
Adam

[furay]

I've never heard of Western Rite Orthodoxy. Would any of our Orthodox posters care to enlighten us about them?
http://www2.orthodoxwiki.org/Western_Rite

There is a Western Rite Monastery not far from me... I plan on visiting someday.

[Jezz]

Dear all,

I've got lots of posts to respond to, so please forgive me if my responses are a little brief. I've been having a busy week...

For those who have simply offered their congratulations without asking any questions, I will simply offer a general "thankyou" here. I am only responding to those who have asked me questions.

Congratulations Jezz!
Thanks!

How did you choose a Church? I think there was a time when I could have gone either Catholic or Orthodox, but I had a problem finding an Orthodox Church that was close enough to attend and also welcomed converts.
When I first decided to visit an Orthodox Church, I jumped on the internet to find out where the ones were closest to me. There were a whole bunch of Greek-speaking churches, a few Russian, and an Arabic one. I had an interest in learning Arabic, so I went to the Arabic speaking one.

One night, the priest at my Church invited another priest from a Greek-speaking Church to come and speak. He was Australian born and speaks fluent English. He told me he has Vespers in English on Saturday nights, so I started going there to. So really, I have two home Churches. Both priests concelebrated my baptism and chrismation.

If you're up for it, it would really be great to hear about your entire conversion experience, where it started, how you arrived at an Orthodox faith, and then to selecting a Church, or anything else you felt comfortable relating.
Bits of it are already documented on TWeb around the place... :smile:

I will try and do what you ask in the coming weeks.

[Jezz]

Savor the moment, J. I know you've been anticipating it. I pray the Lord blesses you in your new spiritual home.
Thanks Rando!

BTW if I may ask, how'd your family take it?
A little bit confused (they don't really understand what the fuss is about), but generally fine and supportive. My brother and sister were there, my brother read the epistle. My parents live interstate and couldn't be there, but were supportive, despite being concerned.

[Jezz]

DDW gave me permission to post in this thread.
Welcome to the thread! :smile:

Congratulations, Jezz.
Thanks Yoshi!

How long did your <that big C/K word> last?
Hard to say exactly, because it's hard to say when it officially began. I have been meeting with the priest since about 1.5 years ago, and I have been going regularly to St Elias (Antiochian) on Sundays and St Anthony's (Constantinople) on Saturday nights since about November last year. I think officially it began during Orthodox Lent.

Did your baptism involve a full immersion?
It was a half immersion, half pouring. They didn't have a font big enough for me (I'm fairly tall). I knelt in the water, the water came up to my stomach/chest. The priest poured water over my head. Actually, as far as I can remember this is the way that the baptism of Christ is usually depicted in Orthodox artwork.

Originally it was going to be straight pouring because the church doesn't have any kind of adult-sized font (most baptisms done there are infant baptisms), but I managed to find a transportable font at another church.

Lastly, out of curiosity, which Patriciate (sp? - i'm not even sure if that's the right word) did you convert under?
furay had it right - Antiochian Patriarchate. But I also had a priest officiating who is under the jurisdiction of the Greek Archdiocese, under Archbishop Stylianos (in turn part of the Patriarchate of Constantinople).

[George Blaisdell]

About 3 and a half hours ago I was baptised and christmated into the Orthodox Church. Tomorrow morning I will receive my first communion.

Nothing much else to add at this stage. I'll see if I can get some photos up (I hope someone took photos... I tried to get about 3 people to do it... :smile:)

Yours in Christ,

Jeremy (Jeremias/Jeremiah - who is the Prophet depicted in my new avatar).

Glory to God!

And Welcome Home!

Many years, my friend Jeremiah!

Arsenios

[The Tearful and Joyous...]

[Amazing Rando]

Thanks Rando!


A little bit confused (they don't really understand what the fuss is about), but generally fine and supportive. My brother and sister were there, my brother read the epistle. My parents live interstate and couldn't be there, but were supportive, despite being concerned.

Cool! What were the scripture readings that day? Was it a special baptismal service or was the baptism incorporated into a regular service?

[Jezz]

Cool! What were the scripture readings that day?
The epistle was Romans 6:1-10 (I'm not quite sure where the reading finished, but it was about there).

I forget what the Gospel reading was; I will try and find out.

Was it a special baptismal service or was the baptism incorporated into a regular service?
It was a special baptismal service. I had my first communion the next day.

Traditionally, baptisms were performed on the Saturday of Pascha, and first communion taken at the Feast of the REsurrection the next day. Baptism was intricately linked with Pascha.

On another topic, I mentioned that I fast-tracked my baptism a bit because the priest was leaving for Lebanon. Well, Tuesday night was the divine liturgy celebrating the feast day for Saint Elias (the Prophet Elijah - the patron Saint of my Church), and after the service it was announced that circumstances had changed and the priest would not be leaving after all. So, he announced that he was leaving, which prompts me to get baptised 6 days later. Then the very next service after my first communion (a mere three days after my baptism), circumstances change and he announces that he's not leaving after all.

Only God knows how much longer I would have put off my baptism if I was not under the impression that my priest was going to leave. I get the distinct impression that Divine Providence was orchestrating to give me the kick in the pants that I needed.

[furay]

I get the distinct impression that Divine Providence was orchestrating to give me the kick in the pants that I needed.
No doubt.