Being Recieved into Orthodoxy

[John the Russian]

Our spiritual father from ROCOR said there was no official time period. It depended on when he thought you were ready. A lot had to do with how quickly you got through all the reading and who you had around you for support (Godparents) that could continue to instruct you in orthodoxy. i guesse in the Marines you won't have many potential orthodox to help you.

[PFC Nektarios]

There are in Orthodox Chaplins in the military, my parish priest gave me an email address to another priest to find out, because there is no way on earth Im going to go to a papist liturgy while in boot camp. If there is not Orthodox Liturgy during my 3 month "vacation" in boot camp im SOL because I cant leave the base, so if thats the case I wont be able to go to church for 3 months! Oh well...

In Christ
Daniel

[Joe Zollars]

I was under the impression from my cousin who was a Chaplains Assistant in the Army (Formerly stationed at a peace keeping base in Germany--just retired last month) that the military had to provide opportunities to attend religios services of ones choice if none were available on base. I could be wrong though.

Semper Fi!
Nicholas Zollars

[PFC Nektarios]

During any other time yes, but not during boot camp, Unfortuanatley.
If thats the case that there is no Orthodox Liturgy I am SOL and will be missing the divine liturgy for 3 months!

I will find out pretty soon though.

In Christ
Daniel

[Justin Kissel]

Some words by Saint Raphael of Brooklyn:

As to members of the Holy Orthodox Church living in areas beyond the reach of Orthodox clergy, I direct that the ancient custom of our Holy Church be observed, namely, in cases of extreme necessity, that is, danger of death, children may be baptized by some pious Orthodox layman, or even by the parent of the child, by immersion three times in the names of the (Persons of the) Holy Trinity, and in case of death such baptism is valid; but, if the child should live, he must be brought to an Orthodox priest for the Sacrament of Chrismation.

In the case of the death of an Orthodox person where no priest of the Holy Orthodox Church can be had, a pious layman may read over the corpse, for the comfort of the relatives and the instruction of the persons present, Psalm 90 and Psalm 118, and add thereto the Trisagion ("Holy God, Holy Mighty," etc.). But let it be noted that as soon as possible the relative must notify some Orthodox bishop or priest and request him to serve the Liturgy and Funeral for the repose of the soul of the departed in his cathedral or parish Church.

As to Holy Matrimony, if there be any parties united in wedlock outside the pale of the holy Orthodox Church because of the remoteness of Orthodox centers from their home, I direct that as soon as possible they either invite an Orthodox priest or go to where he resides and receive from his hands the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony; otherwise they will be considered excommunicated until they submit to the Orthodox Church's rule.

I further direct that Orthodox Christians should not make it a practice to attend the services of other religious bodies, so that there be no confusion concerning the teaching or doctrines. Instead, I order that the head of each household, or a member, may read the special prayers which can be found in the Hours in the Holy Orthodox Service Book, and such other devotional books as have been set forth by the authority of the Holy Orthodox Church. - Pastoral Letter

He was speaking in a different context, but I think his directions are applicable in our own context as well.

[Savva24]

Dear OrthodoxLearner,

I Congratulate you with joy on your entrance to Holy Orthodoxy. I hope you adjust smoothly to Orthodox life and find a good parish to make a home in.

I see many people giving you advice and telling you which path they think you should choose. I will not add my voice to theirs in this as I think the Hiermonk who is guiding you (from your description I have a good idea who he is by the way ) should be the main voice for you to listen to.

I will say one thing though that I hope will not be taken the wrong way. Please accept it as just a thought and concern. I see already that you have love and respect for the Holy Tradition of the Church. The Antiochian Jurisdiction in America is probably the most liberal of all the jurisdictions in our country. Never mind the possible heretical communion with Non-Chaldeconians or whatever, my concern is more practical. Namely, that it is very difficult to be a part of something where you do not have oneness of mind with those you are taking part with. I personally have lived in an environment where I have had to be in a parish where I (with similar sentiments as yours) could not agree with the priest and parish and I find it very difficult to work on yourself in such an environment where people think they know better than the guidelines of the Church. It may be that your parish Antiochian priest is a Traditionalist like you said, and therefore perhaps the parish is a healthy one for you to be in. But the chances are that if you scratch the surface, there could be a great deal that would not sit well with you as he is a servant of his bishops.

Either way I do urge you to listen to your guiding hieromonk. This is a step for you either way, whether you remain in the Antiochian church or move on to ROCOR eventually (a move I would personally recommend), you are moving; you are making steps in the right direction.

God bless you.

With prayers and good will,

Nicholas (Savva)

[PFC Nektarios]

Thank you,

For now I am gonna stay in the Antiochian Church, If there happens to be a "Traditionalist" Orthodox Parish near me when I get stationed then I will attend that.

In Christ
OL