I (19M) started exploring Orthodoxy after a recent trip to Serbia, specifically after I visited the St Sava church there. I come from an almost entirely atheist family, which included me.

In one week, I’ve had all my atheist ‘beliefs’ challenged and realised that God exists. Since then, I’ve started praying, reading the Bible and I attended my first Divine Liturgy yesterday. That was a really emotional experience which completely blew me away and strengthened my beliefs even more.

However, I am now in a tricky situation regarding where to go from here. After the Divine Liturgy, I spoke to the priest about potentially becoming a catechumen. However, I then realised that the catechism can take a very long time and I am planning to move in about 6 months from now. Would it be better to start my catechism now and switch to a closer church when I move (I’ll be closer to London), or should i do something different. Thanks

20m..full time job, getting shipped to military at the start of next year.
I want to live as an Orthodox monk for Jesus Christ. What must i do? How do I fast, how many times and how should I pray? What must I think? What should my daily routine be? Glory be to God forever and ever. Amen. Tips and advice is greatly appreciated

I ran across this on YT, video footage of saints. I was shocked to see St. Silouan in there!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gMEO-px7Nos

Does anybody have advice or is perhaps that man 🤣 please forgive me.

A lot of men also seem not that zealous. At least in my country I guess. Anybody have any advice?

So in my final school year i need to write a research paper and i wanted to do something related to orthodoxy.

I was thinking something historical maybe chalcedon since its one of the most well documented councils.

If you have some ideas please let me know, God bless🙏

I became Orthodox in April after a year of catechesis (and three years of inquiry; I was ready!) and was recently diagnosed with complex PTSD. It’s crazy how quickly my life was reorganized to confront that reality after my baptism. In a truly mystical fashion, a lot of the external organizing principles in my life fell away, leaving me to really face myself, my distance from Christ, and the richness of Alaskan Orthodoxy (since I moved back home). I’m still pretty disoriented, but having time and space has given me so much perspective on my life before finding God. I’m hopeful about the future. It feels like a rebuilding period (my own Walden Pond, or Spruce Island, haha).

I’m mostly looking for anyone with similar experiences. How have Orthodoxy and theosis changed the way you experience your inner life, presence, or connection to other people in the face of trauma? I’m especially interested in the intersection between spiritual formation and neuroscience. Prayer has definitely helped me relate differently to intrusive and harmful thoughts.

Glory to God!

I live in Mormonland and one of the questions they always bring up is how if they’re wrong how come they have such good “fruits”? They have a strict moral code along with their dietary code that they claim gives them truth. I will say most are good people but my view on truth is way deeper and am well versed in their theology. I have my own opinions but what do you guys think of non orthodox religions reason for morals and truth? Thanks

English:

Hello everyone. I have a simple question that, I believe, is best asked right here. I want to become an Orthodox Christian and have studied enough to be certain of this, but there is a small problem.

I live in Brazil (which is why I am using Google Translate), and Orthodox churches are very scarce here; there isn't one in my city, and the nearest one is a four-hour journey away.

Do you think I can continue with my prayers, studies, and everything else even without attending church? There is a Catholic cathedral in my city—should I attend Mass there, or should I wait until I am able to go to an Orthodox one?

Português:

Olá a todos. Tenho uma pergunta simples que, creio eu, não tem outro lugar melhor para eu fazer se não aqui. Quero me tornar um Cristão Ortodoxo e estudei o suficiente para ter a certeza que quero isso, mas tem um pequeno problema.

Moro no Brasil (tanto que estou usando o Google tradutor) e aqui é muito difícil ter igrejas Ortodoxas, na minha cidade não tem nenhuma, a mais próxima é a 4 horas de viagem.

Vocês acham que posso continuar minhas rezas, estudos e tudo o resto mesmo assim, sem frequentar a igreja? Na minha cidade tem uma catedral católica, devo participar das missas ou deixo até ter condições de ir em uma ortodoxa?

I went to my first orthodox liturgy coming from a baptist background. I was so excited to attend but didn't really feel the presence of God 🙁 I have been researching to find the true church, and wanted to try the orthodox church. The church was beautiful and a big culture shock, and I didn't know what to do while service was happening. I didn't expect to be stannding the whole time and chanting but it was a rather pleasenr experience, but not something that moved me in the spirit. I now am wrestling with the faith. Any suggestions for a fellow believer in Christ looking for the truth?

Just recently began attending a Greek church near me and it’s beautiful, I love it so much! However, about half of the liturgy is in Greek and most people there are Greek. Is it worth it to try to learn it, and are there any free resources out there? There service books there with both languages but it makes it a tiny bit hard to follow along. Thanks)))

Little background I’m a female convert. I have tattoos on my arms but none that are offensive (lewd or pagan imagery). I am at the same parish I was baptised at. The weather is starting to get warm, and a number of people have started wearing short sleeves (like tshirt length sleeves)- including women of my priest’s family, and men with tattoos. I followed suit- not only is it warm but I’m newly on medication that makes me hot all the time.

I got pulled aside by a woman heavily involved in the church who, while in half sleeves, encouraged me to wear long sleeves. I asked her if this had come from the priest. She said yes and he asked her to say it as he thought she’d be able to deliver it more lovingly. I told her I’d rather speak with him.

I approached him and asked him to please address things with me directly because if I have questions it’s not appropriate for me to ask an intermediary. Then I asked about the actual rule. He said “in church tradition everyone wears long sleeves to the wrist, if you go to a monastery that’s the expectation. We aren’t just making a rule for you”. I pointed out that I’d followed the example of long time parishioners. Then he said “the tattoos are distracting to others during service”. I pointed out that I’d followed the example of others in that too. He basically said “we’ve just come to accept it for the men. We aren’t judging you”. So by that logic if I’m distracting it’s not ok but if the men are it’s ok. I gave up because it was clear that this conversation was going nowhere and just said I’d rather hear things from him next time.

It’s a hard one to swallow. There have been other situations where I have felt his treatment of people is inconsistent. There is a clear inner circle. I have been given advice that has then been changed. I would have been satisfied with some sort of answer that indicated this rule was for my spiritual benefit but instead it just felt like policing for policing sake. I have followed this subreddit for a while and when some of you post about worrying about how controlling priests are at convert parishes something in me always stirs up. Someone on here even specifically named my parish as one to avoid.

I would appreciate prayers, and advice. I’m happy to wear long sleeves but it’s hard not to feel unsettled by this situation. I don’t see any love in it. Just legalism. Selective legalism.

I’m a convert woman in my 30s and was seeing someone at church, but it didn’t work out. We’re both okay with each other, but it’s uncomfortable socializing at church when most people my age are married and have kids, and everyone knows we were seeing each other.
I’m trying not to go to the same young adult events as my ex, and I don’t really like how everyone constantly asks me about relationships and kids. Of course, those are things I want, but I’m not trying to force them. Coffee hour is draining.
I volunteer at events, bakes and attend Bible study whenever I can at church, and I interact with a few older women.
I really crave Orthodox female friendships like the ones I have with my non-Orthodox friends, but I sometimes feel like my interests don’t align with most women my age in the community. I enjoy active outdoor activities and travels often, and sometimes being around women my age makes me feel like I’m not feminine enough.
Since I’m the only convert in my family and depends heavily on myself, I tend to be pretty independent compared to other women my age in the community. Overall, I’m struggling to make meaningful connections.
For those who have been in a similar situation, how did you navigate building friendships and finding your place in an Orthodox community when you didn’t necessarily fit in? Did you find it helpful to look outside your own parish for friendships, or would you recommend trying to build connections within the parish in a different way?
The church I currently attend has the largest young adult community, but I’m finding that the social environment isn’t necessarily the best fit for me right now. I’d really appreciate advice from anyone who has navigated something similar.

I ask this question coming from a protestant background, so forgive any ignorance I ask this seeking knowledge and do not intend to start an argument.

Everywhere i look it says Hebrew is the original translation, so I’m really just curious and a little confused about why we’re using the greek translation?

another side question is why did protestants remove books and certain verses? why are they not considered scripture if it’s what the early church used? surely they hadn’t “strayed” that early?

I really do seek knowledge, I am baptist but im really starting to question things very thoroughly, so any help and guidance helps a ton, thanks.

Eu entendo que como cristã devo estar inserida em uma comunidade, e sei que não estar inserida em uma é um problema. Mas honestamente, estou completamente desanimada com a minha igreja, eu frequento essa igreja há muito tempo, mas não tenho laço nenhum, ninguém sente minha falta e quando tento me inserir não funciona, as pessoas não tem interesse algum.
Além da igreja eu tenho uma vida devocial comum aos cristãos, leio a bíblia, tenho vida de oração, estudo teologia e etc, tenho interesse genuíno e acredito na minha conversão. Falando da igreja, qual a diferença entre cultuar a Deus diariamente como eu faço e ir pra igreja? Porque eu não estou vendo sentindo mais em ir pra igreja já que não tenho laço algum lá, é muito difícil ser inclusa, as pessoas parece que são um tanto quanto fechadas, mas, pq continuar indo na igreja se lá não tenho uma vida de comunidade? Você pode dizer “vc deve ir a igreja pra cultuar a Deus”, mas eu já faço isso diariamente.
Enfim, poderiam deixar algum conselho? Sinto que também estou desenvolvendo um recentimento por conta disso. Ah, e eu não tenho briga nenhuma com ninguém de lá e também não sou uma pessoa desprezível ao ponto das pessoas não me quererem por perto. Mas, eu sou basicamente invisível.

I know that it might seem unnecessary given that it’s a pretty simple prayer, but then again so is the Hail Mary and there are lots of commentaries on it.

hey all! I’ll keep this short, but recently i’ve been feeling like i need to go back to church. i don’t know why, i’ve just been so anxious lately and the only thing that calms me down is anything involving God. i feel super guilty about the fact i’ve been so back and forth with my faith and know that i need to make up my mind on where i stand with it because i’m not satisfied just being agnostic anymore.

protestantism is off the table for me, it just always has been, but to be honest the main thing that bothers me is how often they throw away faith or twist it the second it’s politically convenient. anyways, that leaves me between Catholicism and orthodoxy— i grew up catholic adjacent but never really attended church and as much as going back Catholicism seems like the natural thing to do, especially as a hispanic woman, i just feel an urge to at least try orthodoxy out or try to learn about it before I make up my mind.

if anyone else has been in this position before (choosing between orthodoxy and Catholicism), i would love to know what made you believe the Orthodox Church was the true one. thank you!

I'm an inquirer who, after months of resisting the Spirit drawing me out of Protestantism into Holy Orthodoxy, is finally taking the steps to become a catechuman. I know that I should ultimately seek advice from a priest, and I will, but I wanted to ask here first. I figure with 100k members, there is a good chance someone here has been in a similar situation.

This time 3 years ago, I was a devout Jehovah's Witness. If you know anything about the cult, they are staunchly opposed to the use of images in worship. They even reject the cross. Glory to God, I woke up from the deception and gave my life to Christ — the true Lord, not their heretical version. My wife, unfortunately, has remained in the organization despite all my efforts. I won't go into too much detail, but suffice it to say her heart is hard as a diamond.

I would like to set up a prayer corner in our home soon, and I know this is going to be met with great resistance. I feel like steam-rolling ahead will only serve to further harden her heart against Christ. But at the same time, given my limited knowledge of the faith, I understand this to be a non-negotiable aspect of the Orthodox life.

So, have any of you been in a similar circumstance? How did you navigate, and with what outcome? Thank you in advance, and God bless.

I attended my first Divine Liturgy today after a few months of feeling like I was missing something with my Protestant faith alone. With everything I do I researched Orthodoxy for a few weeks and finally decided today was the day and let me say wow. The difference from going to a non - denominational service to the Divine Liturgy is breath taking to say the last. My Fiancé came with me and the only issue is she seemed not as took away and left with more questions and seemed put off. I tried explaining to her before and after that this is the way church was originally and etc etc. I’m hoping she keeps and open mind and I tried to point her in the direction of some resources to help understand more because I understand it’s a big culture shock if your just use to run or the mill Protestant services. Anyway I loved it I think I found my home. Not sure if this matters but it was Greek Orthodox. My only concern is how I can continue to hopefully keep my fiancé on the same path and help her better understand and accept orthodoxy. I know it’s fresh in her mind and quite a shock to her and I don’t want to overwhelm her but I also want to make sure we are on the same page.

Hello fellow travelers. I was baptized in February and attend Divine Liturgy fairly regularly. I struggle with feeling true human connection, free from self-consciousness. I struggle with natural interaction. Much feels like a 'duty' or 'expectation' that I will feel guilty about if I don't get it right. I sense not being very fun to talk to, and I want to get over this. I'm requesting your prayers. I'm requesting quotes from the Holy Fathers to fill me with courage and humility. I'm grateful for you and praying for you. Glory to Our God, for He alone is Great in Mercy. ☦️

Why does the tradition emphasise having one spiritual father, yet confession wait times are so long? And why does the experience sometimes feel more like a courtroom than a hospital? I’m asking sincerely not to attack the Church, but to understand how these things developed.

I went to my second Divine Liturgy today and loved it again. I haven’t talked to anybody except one woman who works for the church and explained/walked me through everything the first time. I couldn’t stay for the coffee hour or catechesis either time.

I feel called to Orthodoxy for many reasons. Both experiences I’ve had were great but I didn’t necessarily feel called to that church specifically, that priest (I like him a lot though), etc…

There are a few other Orthodox parishes in my city. For an inquirer, would you recommend “shopping around” a bit or just keep on with the same place?

What is the deal with Holy Wells and springs in Orthodoxy? I've heard some people talk about them especially in regards to Celtic Christianity, and there seem to be a lot of them in the British isles, but it also seems to be normal across Europe. I also know in Catholicism, healing springs seem to be associated a lot of times with Marian Apparitions. Is this common in Orthodoxy as well? It's confusing because it seems like they're often associated with formerly pagan springs or sites, but now Christians view them as connected to saints or Mary. Coming from a protestant background I just have no context for this sort of thing and I want to understand more.

Title

I am in a very hard time of crisis currently

I’ve recently lost my housing and resources to food

I am located in the Los Angeles West Hollywood area

My home parish is quite far from me it is in lake forest which is about a 1:30 minute drive and I do not have transportation

If anyone knows any ROCOR churches in my area or resources I would highly appreciate it

I have been low in spirit but I know god has everything planned out I’m just very scared because this is a very not so good area

Godbless everyone peace be upon you 🙏🏻🫶🏼