www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Hey Everyone! I'm a new teen!

Re-baptism is strickly forbidden. If one was never baptized, one could be baptized for the first time.

Axios

Dad gum it.

priest can make exceptions

yay!

Dear Teen,

Shouldn't you be out dunking yourself in a lake in this heat somewhere?

You're going to give teenagers a bad name you know

Alex

Don't worry OC, I've done that WAY too much this summer. I work as a lifeguard, plus we've been to our lakehouse a lot this summer. Don't worry, I'm a normal teen: sports, outdoor activities, hangin' out with friends...just somehow I find the time to visit this little corner of the internet.

Soli Deo Gloria,
ChristTeen287

Dear Christ Teen,
as your father is of Sicilian origin, and in the eastern tradition, you always are identified by the church of your father, you have a patristic claim to the Italo-Albanian Greek Catholic rite of the Catholic church. If you have a love and a draw to the spirit of the east, then look into becomeing an Italo-Greek. It is the church of your ancestors. There are only a few Italo-Greek churches in this country and the authenticity of their liturgical tradition has been called into question, however, as an Italo-Greek you would be a byzantine catholic and could attend or serve any church of the byzantine rite; Melkite, Ruthenian, Ukranian, etc. The Italo-Greeks have an interesting history and we could use more of them in this country. Pray on it, research it, let me know what you think.

In Christ,
Athanasius

Athanasius,

The Italo-Greek church sounds great, but my dad's family are Roman Catholics, not Eastern Catholics. They are from Spadafora, Sicily (a small coastal town near Messina) and attended a Roman parish called San Pietro, I believe. What is the ratio of Roman Catholics/Eastern Catholics in Sicily? How much more prevalent is the Roman tradition? We are visiting Sicily and Greece over Christmas, so I'll try to attend a Divine Liturgy in one of the two places.

Soli Deo Gratia,
ChristTeen287

ChristTeen287,

I must throw in my two cents on St. George in Birmingham, AL.

I quite honestly owe my salvation to that Church and its parish community. I was very similar to yourself. I was born into a family where my Father was Roman Catholic and my Mother was protestant. Spent much of my youth in the Epsicopal Church, but I was always looking for more.

If the Rose that replied is who I think it is...then most of my salvation quite honestly lies within her hands. The Rose I knew was one who spent countless hours explaining the faith to me, the traditions and inspiring me with her kindness. St. George was a place in which I was received openly by all the members and it is only due to where I live that I do not belong to this Church myself. To this day I hold all Churchs I visit up to the level of faith that I witnessed at St. George.

Should you be able to join them I would highly recommend it. They are my home away from home and I miss them. Every Sunday when I go to my local Church I think of them and wish that I could be part of that family on a regular basis. I truely believe that Christ is working in their parish on a Daily basis.

Yours in Christ,

Jeff

Jeff,

Wow, St. George's really sounds great. How big of a church is it (physically and congregationally)?

Soli Deo Gratia,
ChristTeen287

Rose, I think that if it is determined that a valid baptism exists there is no "re-baptism." This seems to be the Catholic norm.

Perhaps you are referring to a "conditional baptism"?

Dear Jeff,

I am not Rosalee Ritchey, who is the one I think you are remembering. How long since you have been at St. Geroges. We have been there since 1986. Rosilea is dynamite when it comes to explaining our faith. Mary Grace Ritchey reads the forum, but does not respond. (I'm telling on you Mary Grace, hehe), also Rickey and JoAnn Shahid read the posts I believe. So there is a representaion from St. George here.

They have worked even harder to maintain the fullness of the worship. And did considerable restoration on the church about 6 years ago. It is even more beautiful.

The youth group stays very busy. Fr.Deacon Seraphim's wife , Annette Ritchey is the youth adviser. She does a great job, and it keeps her busy.

We are a growing parrish. I beleive that outside of kids getting married and having their own families, it is because the truth is spoke and there is no apologies for it. It seems as though we have a continous stream of folks coming in.

Mary Grace Ritchey is also an excellent teacher of the faith. I have gained so much from her knowledge and insight, she has tremendous wisdom of the Church. Since she is a former school teacher, as Rosalee is now, they are both able to express the knowledge in a very humble manner, which makes learning from them even more enjoyable.

Well enough of my chattereing. Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers for St. Georges. We continue to remember all of the past and present parishiners in prayer.

Sincerely,
Rose Cholewinski

[ 08-19-2002: Message edited by: Rose ]

Dear Bob,

You are right. I was conditionaly baptized since I was unable to obtain my baptismal certificate. I converted from the Southern Baptist, and could not remember the name of the church I was baptized in, there had just been too many churches as I was growing up.

Rose

Dear Rose,

My apologies for my assumption. I attended St. George from 1988 - 1993 off and on. I still attend whenever I am in town.

Kevin Ritchey is my Best Friend going all the way back to High School where we met. In Fact he and his wife Lisa are God parents to my Daughter.

Give my best to everyone.

Hi Jeff,

No apologies, I only wish I had the knowledge she has in her litte finger nail.(not coveting though)

Then we must know you. Were you in the youth group at St. George while you were there with Mike and Rose. Our son your age is William Cholewinski, he would have been in the group with you.

That is great that you have kept such a close friendship with Kevin and Lisa. You have heard then that Sam and Carolyn are expecting. What a miracle.

Rose