[split] Questions about Orthodoxy

[Cow Poke]

Perhaps not quite to the same level, but the same restrictions apply to Orthodox priests; people who have married a second time are generally not eligible for the priesthood (an exception is occasionally made for clergy who convert and become priests).

I'm going to send you some info on a local (I think) Orthodox Church in NW Houston -- brand new. I'm thinking about visiting.

[One Bad Pig]

I'm going to send you some info on a local (I think) Orthodox Church in NW Houston -- brand new. I'm thinking about visiting.

Yep, it's Orthodox. It's Antiochian, so the music will have a distinctly Arabic flavor. It looks like the congregation has quite a mixed heritage, so the service will probably be all in English.

ETA: We should perhaps continue this elsewhere, and not hijack the thread.

[Cow Poke]

Yep, it's Orthodox. It's Antiochian, so the music will have a distinctly Arabic flavor. It looks like the congregation has quite a mixed heritage, so the service will probably be all in English.

ETA: We should perhaps continue this elsewhere, and not hijack the thread.

Is there one already somewhere - intro to Orthodoxy or something -- if not, wanna start one and PM me the link? By the way, I'm still married to my first wife.

[One Bad Pig]

Is there one already somewhere - intro to Orthodoxy or something -- if not, wanna start one and PM me the link?

There is now. Let me know what you're interested in, and I'll do my best to help you out. I'm sure others will chime it as well.

By the way, I'm still married to my first wife.

[Cow Poke]

OK.... YEARS ago, I dated a Catholic girl, and visited her Church. It wasn't so bad, because she was there to clue me in on all the kneeling standing sitting roll-over, bark....

Also, it was a small congregation, and they were very happy to have a visitor - mostly older people were there, and I was a teen!

I don't know anybody at this Church - never been there before - totally new experience.

Should I try to visit the priest first, or just "show up" -- their website APPEARS to indicate they are very welcoming of outsiders.

[One Bad Pig]

OK.... YEARS ago, I dated a Catholic girl, and visited her Church. It wasn't so bad, because she was there to clue me in on all the kneeling standing sitting roll-over, bark....

Also, it was a small congregation, and they were very happy to have a visitor - mostly older people were there, and I was a teen!

I don't know anybody at this Church - never been there before - totally new experience.

Should I try to visit the priest first, or just "show up" -- their website APPEARS to indicate they are very welcoming of outsiders.

Antiochian churches are typically very welcoming of outsiders. I'm sure Fr. Anthony would be happy to talk to first if you'd like to do that, but just showing up would be fine. I visited several Orthodox churches out of the blue without having any idea what was going on, and I really, really don't like that. I managed to survive, nonetheless. I don't think there will be any kneeling (especially not for the next couple weeks - there's no kneeling between Easter and Pentecost). The only time you really need to stand is for the Gospel reading - and if you're paying attention, you'll hear the command to do so.

[Rdr. Arsenios]

This might prove useful:

12 Things I Wish I’d Known… First Visit to an Orthodox Church

http://www.frederica.com/12-things/

For those who have long been practicing members of the Church, the Divine Liturgy structure is old hat, but to the beginner, it can be, and was for me, pretty overwhelming - It has tons of compaction in it, and is hard to follow without at least some guidance... Calling the Priest and asking him to find someone accompany you through it and answer questions that come up might prove helpful...

otoh, Just showing up does have a certain grace and charm - Especially in a small parish...

I would call the priest and ask him what he thinks - He knows his flock... Or he at least SHOULD... I mean... er... He had BETTER know his flock! :-) Just a little joke! He will know his flock, and may just tell you to come on over, and he may assign you a guide, and may have some other way... You won't know until you find out, but the common adage in Orthodoxy is: "Ask your Priest..." Those guys, as a general rule, are made for answering questions... And for the ones who are not, ask them anyway!

Orthodoxy in the US is still a small Church, where everyone still knows everyone, or by two at most removes... There are a few huge Churches with large [600] parishes, but they are few and far between - It is mostly mission Churches where 200 is a large parish, and 50-150 is more the rule... The Divine Liturgy is a participation in the ongoing Liturgy in Heaven before the Throne of the Lamb, so its earthly connections are few and its heavenly many, saturated in Psalms chanted in prayer and prayers intoned with incense and vestments and reverence... There is nothing else like it on earth... We love the beauty of the worship and of the Church...

Arsenios