How to Become an Orthodox Christian
Recently, Orthodox Christianity has become increasingly popular. This religion is distinct in that it retained its traditional beliefs and structures without much modification. Even church services follow an ancient oral tradition in most churches, with an encouragement for personal prayer and thought. A return to traditions and basic beliefs are two of the main reasons many give for converting. Read on to learn how to convert to the Orthodox Christian faith.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Read up to familiarize yourself with the religious beliefs and doctrines of the Eastern Orthodox faith. You can do this online (See Resources below) at a number of different websites. You may also purchase books or borrow from your library. Two books that come with good recommendations are: “The Orthodox Church” by Timothy Ware or “Becoming Orthodox” by Peter E. Guillquist.
-
2
Visit your local Orthodox Church, or an Antiochian Orthodox Church. Approach the Orthodox priest of your church, and tell them of your intention to convert to the faith. See Resources below for a link to a website where you can look up the nearest one in the U.S. or other country where you may be.
-
-
3
Answer the questions that the priest will ask of you. These will include questions about your path in faith, any other parishes you’ve been to, books you have read and specific reasons why you want to convert to the Orthodox faith.
-
4
Accept the invitation to the church that the priest will offer you. The invitation will be for one year. The priest will appoint one of the fellow members of the church to be your Godfather. During this one year period, you will be encouraged to ask the priest, your Godfather or congregation members any questions you may have.
-
5
When your Godfather and the priest both agree that you are ready to be officially converted, they will inform the Bishop. With the Bishop's approval, you will get baptized and then received by Chrismation (or “Confirmation”) from either the Bishop or the priest. Many of the churches also perform a tonsure, or a ritual shaving of a cross on the head. The entire process can take from six months to over a year, depending on the priest’s evaluation of your conversion.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If you’re getting married as an Orthodox to a Catholic, the Orthodox Church won’t recognize the marriage if it’s performed in a Catholic Church, though the Catholic Church will recognize an Orthodox wedding.
If you’re traveling abroad and want to attend services, get a letter of confirmation from your priest that you are baptized as Orthodox. Remember to show the priest you are visiting the letter before the service or you won’t be able to receive communion
If you are scent-sensitive, be aware that incense is used during services
Resources
- Photo Credit Author:Public Domain - Image courtesy of wikipedia, from the Public Domain
More Like This
Comments
View all 13 Comments-
I work at an agency which is connected to a Orthodox Church (the priest of the church is the executive director and so is all the people who work there except me and 3 others.) What I have learned is that the Orthodox is not more conservative than the Roman Catholic Church. The Orthodox Church is the "first church." The original Christians even before there were Catholics, but from my experience they are far more accepting and realistic as to life in most aspects. The faith itself so far as I understand it it not about a hierarchy the way the Catholic Church is. That isn't to say there aren't different levels just that it doesn't take a priest to absolve you of sin. Also while there are monastics (monks and nuns) who are not allowed to marry, as the church was created before the Catholic church it is not only acceptable, but required for priests, bishops, etc. to marry. The exception to the conservativeness of the religion is that women are not allowed to see the alter only men are. The altar is behind large wooden doors in the church and while men can go into the room and pray at the altar women are not supposed to even see the altar. Not sure how much this answer helps, a lot of specifics to say that no I think the Catholic is more conservative than the Orthodox Church.
-
is the orthodox more conservative than roman catholic.
-
how to change my religion.
-
slavicnation
Jan 10, 2011
Hello everyone! My name is Michael and I was born in Soviet Russia in the late 80's. My mother is Russian orthodox and my father is Russian orthodox by his mother and jewish by his father. I wasn't baptized because we left the country in the early 90's. Ever since we lived in Israel until I decided to immigrate to France. As I can remember my self from my early childhood,till now I was allways interested in my Russian identity, culture and faith. We speak Russian at home and with all of the ex-Soviet Israelis. While living in Israel, I haven't converetd to Judaism or practiced any other religion, but I strongly believe in GOD and in the faith of Orthodox Christianity. Now as I live in France, I want to become an Orthodox, something that I wanted to do all of my life. In eastern France where I live, the only Orthodox Church that is located in my area is Serbian. I have 2 main... -
slavicnation
Jan 10, 2011
Hello everyone! My name is Michael and I was born in Soviet Russia in the late 80's. My mother is Russian orthodox and my father is Russian orthodox by his mother and jewish by his father. I wasn't baptized because we left the country in the early 90's. Ever since we lived in Israel until I decided to immigrate to France. As I can remember my self from my early childhood,till now I was allways interested in my Russian identity, culture and faith. We speak Russian at home and with all of the ex-Soviet Israelis. While living in Israel, I haven't converetd to Judaism or practiced any other religion, but I strongly believe in GOD and in the faith of Orthodox Christianity. Now as I live in France, I want to become an Orthodox, something that I wanted to do all of my life. In eastern France where I live, the only Orthodox Church that is located in my area is Serbian. I have 2 main...
