Joining the Orthodox Church

[Tippy]

Before I ask my question I suppose I should go over my background.

I grew up in the UK in the Church of England. I was distant from faith for a long time and got back to church in Poland and began taking catechism lessons in Catholocism.

I started to become obsessed with the idea of the one 'true' church although over time this concept has become confusing and I do not have adequate answers.

I have, since leaving Poland, become curious in the Orthodox church. I recently attended mass several times though I haven't had a chance to talk to anyone at the church yet.

Can anyone let me know the general protocol for this? I emailed the church in advance but there was not really a moment where anyone was availale.

 

[Samseau]

Well, first off, God bless you and may Christ guide your journey. Second, have you tried talking to the Priest of this parish you are attending? Every Parish has their own process and it would be up to him to guide you along.

That said, on Sundays the Priest will usually be slammed with attention, the best bet is to stay after Church and attend coffee hour. Coffee hour is a great time to make friends and chat with the Priest once he's freed up. I think you should start there.

 

[budoslavic]

Have you checked their website if they have one?

Sometime you will find information and a contact form page for people who are interested in joining.

Also, a church has an office administrator so check to see if there is a phone number on their website.

 

[GoodShepherd]

Before I ask my question I suppose I should go over my background.

I grew up in the UK in the Church of England. I was distant from faith for a long time and got back to church in Poland and began taking catechism lessons in Catholocism.

I started to become obsessed with the idea of the one 'true' church although over time this concept has become confusing and I do not have adequate answers.

I have, since leaving Poland, become curious in the Orthodox church. I recently attended mass several times though I haven't had a chance to talk to anyone at the church yet.

Can anyone let me know the general protocol for this? I emailed the church in advance but there was not really a moment where anyone was availale.

Not mass, you mean the liturgy? In my experience phone calls and emails nobody is really gonna attend to you this way, its not a call center with customer service so you will be disappointed. Go in person, church usually starts 8:30 - 9:00, after the service the priest and deacons usually stay behind for quite a few minutes up too 20min they do closing prayers, after this the priest usually comes out then if he isnt rushing off to another service you can chat with the priest he will help you, first you become an enquirer, then when you serious and are sure you want to join the church you become a catechuman to learn the faith and to make sure that you really want to be baptised and join the church, usually you might even have your faith tested through some trials, being a catechuman usually lasts for months or years.

When your priest says you ready to be baptised then you and him will make arrangements and set a baptism date and you will officially be part of the church, attend church as much as possible during this time, just by partaking of the services and observing you will learn so much without anyone actually speaking to you, with my priest if you dont ask him questions or for advice he wont give you any or impose himself so you must ask dont wait for the priest to come to you, ask for a prayer rope and about setting up a prayer corner and a prayer book and how to use it, this was a great blessing for me to have and was very useful.