Finding Our Way
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Moving toward theosis
(becoming like Christ) is hard work. And the only way to learn is together. |
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Why We’re Orthodox
Here’s why some of our parishioners have become Orthodox—or have remained Orthodox from childhood.
(If you'd like to contribute your own story, please email the webmaster.)
(If you'd like to contribute your own story, please email the webmaster.)
I moved from the Old World to the New World, and it seemed that everything changed. Not only that but things keep changing at an ever-faster rate. Searching for an anchor was answered by finding St. Raphael Church, a part of the Orthodox Church that takes change seriously and preserves the truth through the changing environment.
Belonging helped me feel security because I knew that people cared for me, even as a sinner, and not only cared about my needs. We all have His image and journey to do His work. Come join us, we need your help. Newman Abuissa (Syria)
Belonging helped me feel security because I knew that people cared for me, even as a sinner, and not only cared about my needs. We all have His image and journey to do His work. Come join us, we need your help. Newman Abuissa (Syria)
I grew up a "none," perhaps nominally Protestant, not belonging to any one church. I began attending a United Church of Christ in middle school with one of my friends but stopped when I got to college. I was disenchanted with the number of denominations of Christianity, and I figured that since none of them could agree with one another, then none of them were correct. I was a staunch atheist for several years.
I studied Russian and lived in Russia for two years, so I was aware of Orthodoxy, but it wasn’t until I met my husband, who grew up in the Republic of Georgia, that I started trying to learn about it. It was a steep learning curve—so much of what I’d grown up assuming about Christianity was challenged by Orthodoxy. Slowly, it all began to make sense.
I converted in July 2009, in Georgia. In 2010, I moved back to Iowa with my husband, and I began attending St. Raphael Church regularly. I found myself truly able to enter into the beauty and mystery of the church, since I understood the language and had a kind and understanding priest who was more than willing to answer my many questions. Alli Rockwell (United States)
More stories to come.
I studied Russian and lived in Russia for two years, so I was aware of Orthodoxy, but it wasn’t until I met my husband, who grew up in the Republic of Georgia, that I started trying to learn about it. It was a steep learning curve—so much of what I’d grown up assuming about Christianity was challenged by Orthodoxy. Slowly, it all began to make sense.
I converted in July 2009, in Georgia. In 2010, I moved back to Iowa with my husband, and I began attending St. Raphael Church regularly. I found myself truly able to enter into the beauty and mystery of the church, since I understood the language and had a kind and understanding priest who was more than willing to answer my many questions. Alli Rockwell (United States)
More stories to come.
How to Become Orthodox
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First, come and experience the church’s services as frequently as you can. This is the best way to learn what Orthodox Christians believe and how we put it into practice. “Introduction to Orthodoxy” classes are offered for inquirers. And visit the "Helpful Links" section below and our Visitor FAQs page.
When both you and our priest, Father Ignatius, feel you’re ready to become sacramentally united to the Orthodox Church (that is, to be a member), you’ll become a catechumen. During this time, which usually lasts 6 to 12 months, you may be asked to come to classes and/or to read certain books. Once you’ve been properly prepared, you can join the Orthodox Church. If you’ve been baptized in another Christian church that uses a traditional trinitarian formula (“in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”), you will make a first sacramental confession, be anointed with oil in the sacrament of chrismation, and receive your first Eucharist as an Orthodox Christian. If you’ve never been baptized or have been baptized in a church that doesn’t baptize in the name of the Trinity, you will be baptized and participate in the sacraments mentioned above. |
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A Few Words on Fasting
Why Fast
Fasting has been an integral part of Christian spiritual practice from the beginning of the faith. We fast to see our own weakness more clearly, to be more focused in prayer, to remind ourselves that our appetites and passions do not have to rule over us. Fasting is not an end in itself. It doesn’t make us holy or earn us favor with God. It is a means to an end, a tool, an aid. The end or the goal is union with God. Fasting combined with prayer helps us to see Him a little more clearly. Jesus said, "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly" (Matthew 6:17-18)
How to Fast
Orthodox Christians practice two main types of fasting. First, typically we refrain from all food and drink from bedtime the night before receiving the Eucharist on Sunday until after receiving it. In this way, the precious Communion of Christ is the first food and drink to pass through the lips of the faithful on that day. The second type of fasting is a diet simplification. On certain days of the week and at certain times of the year, the Church asks us not to eat meat, fish, dairy, eggs, and sometimes also olive oil and wine. Wednesdays and Fridays are fasting days throughout most of the year. (This practice was handed down by the apostles and is mentioned in the first/second Christian document, known as the Didache.) We fast on Wednesdays, assuming that this was the day of the week that Judas decided to betray Jesus, and on Friday, as this was the day Jesus was crucified. There are lengthier fast periods throughout the year, the longest being Lent, the preparatory time leading up to Easter.
Fasting should never endanger us physically. If you have medical concerns that mean these fasting guidelines could jeopardize your health, consult with your priest. Often the sick, the very young, the very old, and pregnant and nursing mothers are exempt from fasting.
Fasting has been an integral part of Christian spiritual practice from the beginning of the faith. We fast to see our own weakness more clearly, to be more focused in prayer, to remind ourselves that our appetites and passions do not have to rule over us. Fasting is not an end in itself. It doesn’t make us holy or earn us favor with God. It is a means to an end, a tool, an aid. The end or the goal is union with God. Fasting combined with prayer helps us to see Him a little more clearly. Jesus said, "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly" (Matthew 6:17-18)
How to Fast
Orthodox Christians practice two main types of fasting. First, typically we refrain from all food and drink from bedtime the night before receiving the Eucharist on Sunday until after receiving it. In this way, the precious Communion of Christ is the first food and drink to pass through the lips of the faithful on that day. The second type of fasting is a diet simplification. On certain days of the week and at certain times of the year, the Church asks us not to eat meat, fish, dairy, eggs, and sometimes also olive oil and wine. Wednesdays and Fridays are fasting days throughout most of the year. (This practice was handed down by the apostles and is mentioned in the first/second Christian document, known as the Didache.) We fast on Wednesdays, assuming that this was the day of the week that Judas decided to betray Jesus, and on Friday, as this was the day Jesus was crucified. There are lengthier fast periods throughout the year, the longest being Lent, the preparatory time leading up to Easter.
Fasting should never endanger us physically. If you have medical concerns that mean these fasting guidelines could jeopardize your health, consult with your priest. Often the sick, the very young, the very old, and pregnant and nursing mothers are exempt from fasting.
Helpful Links
Orthodoxy 101
Orthodox Intro: Published by Ancient Faith Ministries, this website is designed to give the most basic information about the Orthodox Christian life, to give newcomers reliable answers to introductory questions, and to connect them to real life in an Orthodox Christian Church.
Discover Christian Orthodoxy: All sorts of helpful information about Orthodoxy, becoming Orthodox, what the Church is, feasts and fasts, Liturgy and the Sacraments, our role models, and more
About Orthodoxy: A thorough exploration of the truths we hold
Journey to Orthodoxy: Conversion stories and lots of information on Orthodoxy
Orthodox Intro: Published by Ancient Faith Ministries, this website is designed to give the most basic information about the Orthodox Christian life, to give newcomers reliable answers to introductory questions, and to connect them to real life in an Orthodox Christian Church.
Discover Christian Orthodoxy: All sorts of helpful information about Orthodoxy, becoming Orthodox, what the Church is, feasts and fasts, Liturgy and the Sacraments, our role models, and more
About Orthodoxy: A thorough exploration of the truths we hold
Journey to Orthodoxy: Conversion stories and lots of information on Orthodoxy
Prayer and Devotional Resources
Orthodox Prayers: Many prayers, daily Scripture readings, and a “Thought for the Day” from our Antiochian Archdiocese.
The Prologue of Ochrid: The full title of this devotional book describes it well: The Prologue of Ohrid: Lives of Saints, Hymns, Reflections and Homilies for Every Day of the Year
Various Private Prayers: Links to some common Orthodox prayers
Daily Liturgics: Daily saints, readings, and prayers from our Antiochian Archdiocese
Orthodox Prayers: Many prayers, daily Scripture readings, and a “Thought for the Day” from our Antiochian Archdiocese.
The Prologue of Ochrid: The full title of this devotional book describes it well: The Prologue of Ohrid: Lives of Saints, Hymns, Reflections and Homilies for Every Day of the Year
Various Private Prayers: Links to some common Orthodox prayers
Daily Liturgics: Daily saints, readings, and prayers from our Antiochian Archdiocese
Publishers and Stores
Saint Herman Press: One of the best and most important Orthodox publishers
Ancient Faith Publishing: An excellent source of generally less academic and more popular-level Orthodox books
Death to the World: A 'zine that inspires truth seeking and soul searching amid the modern age of nihilism and despair
St. Paisius Monastery Gift Shop: An especially good place to purchase prayer ropes and other unique Orthodox items.
Iconograms: Orthodox e-greeting cards hosted by the Greek Archdiocese website
Saint Herman Press: One of the best and most important Orthodox publishers
Ancient Faith Publishing: An excellent source of generally less academic and more popular-level Orthodox books
Death to the World: A 'zine that inspires truth seeking and soul searching amid the modern age of nihilism and despair
St. Paisius Monastery Gift Shop: An especially good place to purchase prayer ropes and other unique Orthodox items.
Iconograms: Orthodox e-greeting cards hosted by the Greek Archdiocese website
Saints and Icons
Feasts and Saints: Loads of information on the individual saints and feasts as well as on icons representing them
On the Holy Icons: An introduction to icons, their history, and the idea that we are called to be living icons
Feasts and Saints: Loads of information on the individual saints and feasts as well as on icons representing them
On the Holy Icons: An introduction to icons, their history, and the idea that we are called to be living icons
General
OrthodoxWiki: A Wikipedia-style site full of all things Orthodox
Ancient Faith Ministries: Includes Orthodox podcasts, online radio programming, blogs, books, and films
Orthodox Christian Information Center: A vast repository of articles on Orthodoxy
In Communion: The website of the Orthodox Peace Fellowship, including article on many topics, such as abortion, war, and poverty
6 Reasons Why Tithing is Good for an Orthodox Parish: An article about tithing, the ancient practice of giving 10 percent of our income
OrthodoxWiki: A Wikipedia-style site full of all things Orthodox
Ancient Faith Ministries: Includes Orthodox podcasts, online radio programming, blogs, books, and films
Orthodox Christian Information Center: A vast repository of articles on Orthodoxy
In Communion: The website of the Orthodox Peace Fellowship, including article on many topics, such as abortion, war, and poverty
6 Reasons Why Tithing is Good for an Orthodox Parish: An article about tithing, the ancient practice of giving 10 percent of our income
