Statement

[NadirGP]

I like to write, I really do, even though English is not my first language. The problem is, sometime, I don’t know what to write. When, though the Muses visit me then I have no problem with my writing and its contents.

I do a lot of walking in the morning, before and after breakfast and my best thoughts and inspirations come to me as I walk between five to seven kilometres every day.
When I joined this forum, I thought that I would be able to read and maybe contribute a little with people, who have a different background than mine. After several years dealing, most of time, with people, who are Catholic thus discussing religion or the world affairs from a Catholic point of view, inevitably, one end up somehow biased. Nothing wrong with that until one day, of course, discover that what he/she knew was only half of the equation.

That is I. I am not here to dispute your way of life or to argue about your faith; but to learn how you define yourself as an Orthodox Christian or how you understand Orthodoxy and its history, from the apostolic time to the present day.
Thanks again for you hospitality.
Maranatha

[joasia]

but to learn how you define yourself as an Orthodox Christian or how you understand Orthodoxy and its history, from the apostolic time to the present day.

In a previous post, I did ask you if you had any questions about Orthodoxy and you said:

Not for the moment, I do not have any question about Orthodoxy.

Now, you're saying the above. You joined since Aug 10 and haven't asked any questions about our Orthodox view. I really don't know what to believe. New members who are looking into Orthodoxy jump right in with questions.

[Maria]

Many inquirers, and I remember my own days, are just lurking and browsing, and perhaps even in their misled zeal, are trying to convert the Orthodox to Eastern Catholicism thinking that they can heal the schism. I went through that stage thanks to Catholic Answers.
However, listening to an Orthodox Bishop describe the events of 1054 and 1204 changed my thinking radically, and showed me how I had fallen into prelest. Lord have mercy.

It is when an inquirer begins to become serious about Orthodoxy and is just beginning to consider the catechumenate that they begin to ask serious questions. At that point, their world is in shambles, as they are going through a crisis of faith, and they desperately need our prayers.

Please give some slack to Nadir, and pray for him.

[Priest Antonios]

Many inquirers, and I remember my own days, are just lurking and browsing

I think I registered a whole year before making a single post and that obviously does not count any lurking prior to creating an account.

-Antonios

[Barbara]

Yes, many of us did something like that, Antonios !

I agree, let's give EXTRA EXTRA slack to Nadir, because he's very brave to post here, at all !
It takes a lot to start in and I think he's doing well under the glare of scrutiny !

Keep your heart strong, Nadir, with all that walking and musing !
All will work out as it should. You are welcome to ask or not ask about Orthodoxy.
Different people respond differently ; we can't expect him to immediately jump into the fray.

[Maria]

I like to write, I really do, even though English is not my first language. The problem is, sometime, I don’t know what to write. When, though the Muses visit me then I have no problem with my writing and its contents.

I do a lot of walking in the morning, before and after breakfast and my best thoughts and inspirations come to me as I walk between five to seven kilometres every day.
When I joined this forum, I thought that I would be able to read and maybe contribute a little with people, who have a different background than mine. After several years dealing, most of time, with people, who are Catholic thus discussing religion or the world affairs from a Catholic point of view, inevitably, one end up somehow biased. Nothing wrong with that until one day, of course, discover that what he/she knew was only half of the equation.

That is I. I am not here to dispute your way of life or to argue about your faith; but to learn how you define yourself as an Orthodox Christian or how you understand Orthodoxy and its history, from the apostolic time to the present day.
Thanks again for you hospitality.
Maranatha

Dear Nadir,

You have stated that you have come here to "learn how you define yourself as an Orthodox Christian or how you understand Orthodoxy and its history, from the apostolic time to the present day."

However, in your newest thread on The Jewish People, you seem to be interested only in teaching us about Jews as you understand them, and when we ask you for clarification on the views of St. John Chyrsostom, you refuse to do so stating that it would be off topic. In fact, that thread, instead of being a thread for all of us, has become a sounding board for your point of view only. Anything else, you have labeled "off-topic." Correct me, if I am mistaken, but that is how I perceive this situation.

I would like to see more of your thoughts on Catholicism and why you have come here in the first place. Have you come here to lecture us about The Jewish People, or have you come here to learn about Orthodoxy?

In Christ,
Maria

[Maria]

Many inquirers, and I remember my own days, are just lurking and browsing

I think I registered a whole year before making a single post and that obviously does not count any lurking prior to creating an account.

-Antonios

I have been a member of this forum since 2003 even though I was a member of World Orthodoxy at that time. People were patient and understanding. Since 1994 I would correspond with the HOCNA monks at HTM in ordering their Icons, prayer ropes, books, and/or Incense. They would carefully answer any questions and end me literature from time to time. I also occasionally attended one of the HOCNA parishes in Pomona, California in the early to mid 2000s. I did not enter HOCNA as I was being constantly warned by others who were leery of the "Elder" now defrocked Panteleimon.

In 2011, when two of the hierarchs in California left HOCNA and then joined HOTCA, then my husband and I approached them and asked to be received into True Orthodoxy. Thus, in December 2011, my husband and I took the plunge and were received in True Orthodoxy (HOTCA) through Holy Baptism.