What do you wish more people understood about Orthodoxy?

Discussion · 24

Opinions are anonymous retellings of real comments from the original discussion. The same colour marks the same participant.

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• − opinion#1068 97 likes at the source

  Taking part in the Holy Sacraments with people of other denominations is a sin that requires confession and repentance. We are not united in one Church or one faith. We're called to love everyone, but love must never come at the cost of compromising the Orthodox faith and its teachings.

  • − opinion#1070

    Does attending or being involved (best man for example) in a non-Orthodox wedding count as this?
  • − opinion#1071 3 likes at the source

    We can attend out of respect but we should not take part in their worship service.
  • − opinion#1072 4 likes at the source

    By the letter of the law yes, but in this case mercy would trump dogma. Of course confirm with your priest, but mine said that insulting your friend like that would more than likely permanently estrange them from you and the church. Attending still brings the possibility of conversion later.
  • − opinion#1073 2 likes at the source

    I think it's best to seek guidance from your spiritual father. Nowadays it's common to have three or four groomsmen at a wedding. However, I believe being the best man may be considered a sin, since it involves direct participation in the sacrament. But again, I strongly recommend checking with your spiritual father for a clear and proper answer.
• − opinion#1069 65 likes at the source

  That orthodoxy is just the cultural expression of christianity in Eastern Europe, something foreign to western people. It's not. Orthodoxy is christianity.
• − opinion#1067 22 likes at the source

  As a former Protestant, I know the Orthodox faith often gets treated like a religious cult, and it was the Iconoclastic teachings of Protestants that kept me from looking into it earlier.

  • − opinion#1074 4 likes at the source

    Same here. Wife and I converted from the protest faith 3 years ago. I love how they "chastise" Orthodox for icons and say we "worship" idols and then pass around little plastic Jesus.
  • − opinion#1075 3 likes at the source

    I never got to experience "plastic Jesus", we did "communion" with grape juice and cheap bread, and it was up to us to know what it was for. Sincere people, I pray they all find the true church.
• − opinion#1064 17 likes at the source

  My Protestant parents: "We just wish you had a real relationship with Jesus."
• − opinion#1063 12 likes at the source

  We "worship" icons. Like my father says, if you're really stupid enough to think I worship a piece of wood, then I don't have time for this conversation.

  • − opinion#1076 2 likes at the source

    I find it troubling that people can't have a conversation. I truly don't believe Christ would refuse the conversation. I have found that arrogance is rooted in the inability to have a conversation.
  • − opinion#1077

    Matthew 7:6.... you sure about what you said? Proverbs 26:4-5? Many other verses in Proverbs. Matthew 23:17, we didn't see Jesus arguing with people who were clearly in the wrong.
• − opinion#1059 9 likes at the source

  It's not my job to correct anyone. I just invite them to church, and if they have questions they can ask the church father or one of the Deacons. Christ is King ☦️ glory to God!

  • − opinion#1078 1 likes at the source

    Christ calls all of us to proclaim the Gospel: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). And St. Peter tells us to "always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15). Inviting someone to church is good, but as Orthodox Christians we should also be willing to explain the Faith and correct misunderstandings with humility.
  • − opinion#1079 1 likes at the source

    I'm only a catechumen, forgive me, I'm still learning. By the grace of God hopefully I'll be baptized this year. But I still don't feel worthy to correct those around me. If I understand they are participating or practicing heresy I can explain that to them. Still going to invite them to church and have them ask the Church Father questions.
  • − opinion#1080 1 likes at the source

    "With humility" congratulations, so many other comments lack humility. I believe wholeheartedly that when celebrating the "mystery", humility is a prerequisite. Otherwise arrogance is blinding and unforgiving. Faith is so important yet without wisdom it can be used as a weapon. Examine human history.
• − opinion#1065 6 likes at the source

  As a catholic, before studying more about religion, I thought Orthodox people just followed the Old Testament. Now I even consider my faith half orthodox, so imagine how misinformed we all are in the west. To be clear, obviously not everyone is that misinformed, but I think I speak for a majority.
• − opinion#1066 5 likes at the source

  The difference between us and Catholics and Protestants. Protestants think we're wrong and they're right, and they think we're Catholics.
• − opinion#1060 3 likes at the source

  That Orthodoxy isn't tied to an ethnicity or nationality. I think some people inside the church need to learn that too.
• − opinion#1061 1 likes at the source

  That you can never really reach even the lowest levels of Theosis or orthopraxis until you first accept that you're wrong about everything, and that you chose to be, and that you can't deride anyone else for this transgression since you transgressed in much the same way yourself. Also, the old ladies at any parish are usually the nicest, most welcoming people, they'll cook for you if you need it!
• − opinion#1062 1 likes at the source

  I wish more Americans would step back and realize we're not the top authority, especially in our Protestant churches. There are other cultures around Orthodoxy way older than the US. I call this the "Americanized religions-political doctrine". America is best, Israel is best, we do everything best, and if you don't support all that and the churches that do, you're unamerican and a heretic. Screw that. Sooo glad I stepped into orthodoxy.
• − opinion#1057

  That Orthodoxy is the original Christian faith, practiced the way the disciples taught it back when there was no bible yet. The bible, written centuries after the disciples, is integral but needs to be backed up by the original Christian practices like fasting and the holy Eucharist.
• − opinion#1058

  That some priest you happened to see on youtube must have all the best answers for you, must be a great man, must have projects worth donating to. It gets really frustrating being asked "Do you know father so and so from your area? I saw him on youtube, I visited once, he's great!" when that same person caused you unjust trouble in your own parish life.