www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Thank you and goodbye

Last week I made a formal request to become a catechumen in the Orthodox church. Thank you for letting me spend some time here and see things from the Byzantine Catholic perspective.

Wishing you all well.
GregChant

I pray that you will work toward unity. God bless and come back and see us from time to time.

Dan L

No reason to leave forever! This board welcomes both Catholics and Orthodox - and especially those somewhere in between!

In His Name,
Stephen

Wishing you many years, GregChant, and reminding you that all the above is perfectly true. Some of the most traditional Orthodox post here, isn't that right, Alice?

Gaudior, in hopes you remain

March 25th, O.S. Feastday of St. Gregory the Dialogist, Pope of Rome


Dear GregChant, My humble suggestion: always remember the word BALANCE ! Somehow most 'converts' forget this word and within a short period of time, they tend to reject EVERYTHING from their former tradition...and then replace it/them with really Orthodox or Catholic things. So out with the Rosary and in with the Chotki...out with the Stations of the Cross and in with the Akathist or Presanctified Liturgy...out with Western Saints---and in with Eastern Saints. I personally think this is a HUGE mistake, if not sinful. Bring WITH you to your new 'Church-home' things that have helped you to draw closer to the Lord and His Holy Mother and the Saints and use them to continue your pilgrimage and your following of the Lord. It's not like your becoming a Hindu after all! I suppose it is a normal stage in spiritual growth to dump everything from one's former tradition, but healthy? Definitely NOT!

When I became Orthodox about 29 years ago, a priest-friend from the Russian Synod Abroad (and a former Jesuit) told me to get rid of everything from my former tradition...and I foolishly did so. Now, I'd like to kick myself in my dupa for having done so...and what's more, recently I was talking to this same priestmonk and he told me that he had just come upstairs from his chapel where he had been praying the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary! He told me that he nows prays it daily and makes the Stations at a nearby Polish Church during Lent too! I think the key here is balance . The Eastern AND Western Fathers (and Mothers) have always cautioned away from 'extremism' especially in the spiritual life, because it is simply UNhealthy. Everything in the spiritual life should be done with a degree of moderation...and if this is not followed, then one opens a whole world of spiritual illness up. Wherever there is charity and kindness and mercy---there---in that VERY place is the 'finger of God' at work.

I would hope that this wonderful Forum can remain a part of your future...as it has been a part of your past! It can still shed light on the new path you are beginning...and many of the men and women here can be a GREAT source of help to you because we have unique experiences that you may wish to learn from...if you have the openness. As my dad used to tell me: "Son if you can listen to my experience---I can save you a LOT of grief and help you avoid a LOT of errors." Unfortunately I didn't always take advantage of that...and I was ALWAYS to poorer for it...and suffered unnecessarily in the end.

Don't go far---it doesn't get much better than it is right here!

With love in Christ,
+Fr. Gregory, who will be praying for you!

Father, bless!!!

Thank you for that post! It is a much needed reminder to we Orthodox converts who CAN tend to cobine zeal sometimes with not much thought or compassion. I have learned SO much from the Orthodox raised in the Church.. They are often the most balanced!!!
I still venerate those Saints in the Western Church which meant so much to me growing and when I was in the Byzantine Catholic Church such as Saint Teresa de Avila and St John of the Cross and the LIttle Flower. Well, Carmelite Spirituality is VERY Eastern, is it not?? INdeed, the example of Carmelite and Benedictine monks and nuns have been so influential in my spiritual life.
I hope and pray for unity (not of the COuncil of FLorence variety) but a unity that OUr Lord wills and of this time and place.

Thank you again for your edfying posts here and keep me in your holy prayers!

Brian Seraphim

Thak you all for your kind words, support, and advice.

I am very grateful for the faith foundation that I received in the Roman Catholic Church. My prayer will always be for unity.

I may just take you up on your offer and continue to fellowship with you all.

Warmest regards.

Greg, You are a wise dude! I've been around a while...and it doesn't get too much better than this. No matter what, you're still our brother in Christ...and always will be!

Much love to you!

In His Holy Name,
+Fr. Gregory

Greg,

Not to put a damper on the well wishes here, but, while I certainly pray God's blessings upon you personally, I cannot in good conscience say congratulations on your move to Orthodoxy.

Mind you, I bear no ill will to any of my Orthodox brothers and sisters, especially those who have come from a Catholic background. But as a Byzantine Catholic, I DO believe in the critical importance of full communion with the Bishop of Rome as well as a unified Christian and Catholic witness.

I too went through a phase a number of years ago when I seriously considered a move to Orthodoxy. I was encouraged (by an Orthodox priest, no less) to reconsider the move for a number of reasons, not the least of which is a lack of a universal and unified teaching and pastoral authority. (He told me, BTW, that if I wanted to, he would chrismate me right away, knowing me as he did.) His thoughts gave me pause and I share them with you to do the same.

There is no question that Orthodoxy offers a very beautiful and even at times fuller expression of Byzantine Christianity, when compared to some manifestations within the current Byzantine Catholic milieu - manifestations which some may regard as anemic in certain places, but not all. Being a Byzantine and a Catholic can be a challenge at times, but it is the challenge of the Cross and to be faithful to the will of Christ for His Church: to be in full communion with Peter and His successors.

Some may regard my views as antiquated or "Uniate", but I stayed for a reason - one my conscience would not let me squelch.

I will keep you in my earnest prayers during this season, hopeful that you come into your catechumenate with an open mind and heart to the will of God in your life.

May God grant you His mercy and peace!

Gordo

Dear GregChant,

Now, don't give up on Gregorian chant because you are joining the East!

Seriously, please keep in mind that the move you make is for spiritual growth, and please, never let the few, but vocal, polemicists and egotists, (which every faith has, ofcourse) that you may enounter influence you against others.

Stay upbeat, and avoid those who are negative but seek out those who are positive--there are so many, glory to God! Many are on this very forum!

Please be a bridge between the East and the West, so that one day you may have contributed in a small way to doing what our Lord wants. Be knowledgeable, and stand firm in what you know that your former faith believes in and what it doesn't believe in.

We once had a lovely Byzantine Catholic young man here that joined Orthodoxy and then became so hateful and rude towards all here that he needed to be intercepted. I don't think that the fundamentalist/hardliner attitude he espoused was spiritual growth at all. Needless to say, I was attacked in a rude manner as not really being Orthodox!

I don't think many of us have yet gotten over his feelings that we were all 'heretics'. :rolleyes: There was no way to get through to him, and it saddened me more than anything else I have ever encountered.

So, welcome to Orthodoxy, but please heed Father Gregory's very wise words about balance...he has many years of experience.

If you don't mind me asking, which jurisdiction will you be joining?

Wishing you many spiritual blessings,
Alice

P.S. Feel free to p.m. me if you have any questions, as I see that we are both from New York.

On the Convert topic: a wise article by Father John Garvey of the OCA'a Bulgarian Diocese i

ttp://www.dneoca.org/articles/typology0197.html

Again, thank you for your warm words of wisdom and advice.

This process has been a long one. I am cradle Roman Catholic, a graduate of a college-seminary, and I spent three years in a RC religious order. I have been married 18 years and have three daughters.

My great-grandparents and one grandmother were Russian Orthodox so I have had some background in Orthodox praxis (I guess it's also genetic). Having studied philosphy, theology, and church history has also been a help to me on this jouney.

While I would rather not get into the specifics as to why the change is happening now, suffice it to say that two years ago (yes I have taken my time)I found a wonderful Church family that is part of the OCA. For me the time time is right, the time is now.

As I stated in my prior post I am grateful for the spiritual foundation that the Roman Catholic Church has given me. I would not be where I am today without it. I do not leave Roman Catholicism with anger or regret but I do journey to Orthodoxy with a sense of renewed faith and a spirit of hope, joy and completeness.

Warmest regards to my Catholic brothers and sisters as you observe these special holy days. And to my Orthodox brothers and sisters, who I hope to fully join soon, I wish you a continued blessed Great Lent.

-GregChant
Chanting the night away.

Dear GregChant,

Our spiritual life has a number of stages and transisitions. The transition to a new spiritual home sometime can be overwelming. My advice to you is to take it one stage at a time. That means do not cut off that which has helped make this transition stage happen, that is support and learning.

As some have told you both EC an Orthodox, like Father Gregory and Alice, there are things in your soon to be former tradition that are perfectly Orthodox. The beauty of it is that somethings that are western are just as much eastern. Saints are shared by common heritage, Like Pope Saint Gregory the Great, Saint Benedict of Nursia, etc. Some will in your new tradition will have to be for "local" veneration.

What will be important are a few things. No matter the church or tradition, your prayer life and how it will be formed under your spiritual father will help you draw closer to Christ and help you live the teachings of the gospel. You must however you are formed, never develop a fanaticism or hatred for that you leave behind. Remember it has played a role in your spiritual formation, and undeniably will be always a part of you. One of the last things you should always remember is that you are called to help unite the church. This can only happen through education, prayer, and understanding.

If you do this, you will grow spiritually, whether you stay were you are, switch rites within the Catholic Church, or formally enter the Orthodox Church. Remember for almost a millineum the church was one. Many things discussed here are of a common foundation, and some are not. All look to educate themselves further and hopefully grow in the understanding of the Church of Christ, making them better prepared to be effective servants of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

I pray that our Lord guides you in your spiritual transition. I pray also that you are not afraid to ask questions not only of your new spiritual family but of those that are here. Many here from what I can see are of your new spiritual family to-be, and others want you to better informed no matter what your choice.

May God richly bless you during this time of spiritual renewal and restoration.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+