Dear Odo,
Welcome to the road of Holy Orthodoxy (Greek Orthodox Church in your case). Let me introduce myself. I am a Greek Orthodox Christian, a descendant of 25 consecutive generations of Greek Orthodox priests serving the Holy Sepulcher Church in Jerusalem. I myself am not a priest at this time. For the past 10 years or so I have been praying with the Coptic Orthodox Christians in my area, as I have studied their theology and find it truly Orthodox, though they prefer to use the wording of St. Cyril regarding the nature of Christ. I have not �converted� to the Coptic Church; as there is nothing to �convert to. Both their church and ours is Orthodox, so I am a Greek Orthodox that prays with the Coptic Church. Much like Theodora, wife of Emperor Justinian did in the 6th century. For those that will jump on my statement and attack the Orthodoxy of the Copts, please read this joint statement by both the Coptic and Eastern orthodox theologian regarding their agreed statement of faith:
http://www.uk-christian.net/boc/2church.shtml http://www.uk-christian.net/boc/dialogue.shtml The reason I am writing this post is because I saw your question regarding conversion to Eastern Orthodoxy and your dilemma regarding your wife being a Baptist and refusing Orthodoxy. Your concern is not unique nor are you the first to ask these questions. I would like to refer you to some articles that directly address these concerns of yours with your wife.
When �debating� with a protestant regarding truth of Orthodoxy vs the protestant church, a number of topics will usually surface such as Holy Tradition vs Scripture (sola scriptora), intersession of the saints, the True Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist, Sacraments etc. Usually the protestants are week in the following areas: early church history, difference between Orthodox and catholic theology, how the Church operated and dealt with heresies prior to the canonization of the Holy scripture. Once the protestants see that Holy Tradition in conjunction with scripture constituted church teaching, they begin to see that many of their (protestant) beliefs are new innovations and not genuine Christian teaching as given by Christ through the Disciples and Apostles. So I will recommend for you a few web sites that deal with this issue:
http://www.protomartyr.org/finding.html http://www.samford.edu/groups/global/ewcmreport/articles/ew03204.htm http://www.sspeterandpaulonline.com/traditionfaq http://www.antiochian.org/missions/Resources/ProtestantQuestions.pdf http://www.fhc.org/holycrossmonastery/upload/en/apologetics_links.html http://www.philthompson.net/pages/becoming/ http://www.craton.net/journey/ http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/inquirers/ http://shop.store.yahoo.com/conciliarpress/becor1.html In short, when dealing with your Baptist wife, she will raise the same objections to Orthodoxy that these sites state. Only when she realizes who and how the Bible was put together (Church history) will she realize that the reformation wasn�t the start of the true church. This is the theme you will find in all these apologetic sites and stories of conversions.
As for you living with your wife, St Paul make it very clear that if you being an (Orthodox) believer are able to live with you (unbelieving) wife then it is acceptable to dwell with her and a believing husband can lead his wife to Orthodoxy by example. Once she becomes Orthodox, the Church will probably anoint you both to sanctify your marriage making it a sacramental bond.
I hope this helps. If you would like more information, please feel free to contact me by e-mail at: eros111@aol.com
ODO, welcome home to Orthodoxy.
In Christ
Dimitrius
