Help

[Christina Williams]

I am new to Orthodoxy........to cut a long story short it was through prayer and fasting that I came to know the O'dox .but I live far from an Orthodox Community and desperately need Bible Study and to meet with others for worship.

When I cannot get to the church where I was chrismated I attend the local Anglican one and sometimes an RC one..because I HAVE to go to church, I also attend their group meetings because I am hungry.

The problem has started because I am absorbing non Orthodox beliefs..........as my priest carefully put it I am drinking at poisoned wells. (It was he who recommended me to this site).

The trouble is I cant settle, I need to hear about God, about Jesus, I need to be with other believers .........sorry I'm rambling..any advice...?

[Trinitarian God]

Hi,

My name is Vassos Theodosiou,

I am a Greek Orthodox and study the Gods word, if you need any advised on places to go or study just let me know.

In Christ

[Fr Raphael Vereshack]

I am new to Orthodoxy........to cut a long story short it was through prayer and fasting that I came to know the O'dox .but I live far from an Orthodox Community and desperately need Bible Study and to meet with others for worship.

When I cannot get to the church where I was chrismated I attend the local Anglican one and sometimes an RC one..because I HAVE to go to church, I also attend their group meetings because I am hungry.

The problem has started because I am absorbing non Orthodox beliefs..........as my priest carefully put it I am drinking at poisoned wells. (It was he who recommended me to this site).

The trouble is I cant settle, I need to hear about God, about Jesus, I need to be with other believers .........sorry I'm rambling..any advice...?

If possible you should move closer to where your parish is.

Isolation is a so much a constant factor for so many of our Orthodox people. With God's help and some extra work on their part they can sustain a real Orthodox life.

But long term not attending the parish or attending only very rarely will not sustain a person's faith. To feel the warmth of the fire we need to be sure we're closer to the fire.

In Christ- Fr Raphael

[Father David Moser]

I live far from an Orthodox Community and desperately need Bible Study and to meet with others for worship.
When I cannot get to the church where I was chrismated I attend the local Anglican one and sometimes an RC one..
The problem has started because I am absorbing non Orthodox beliefs....any advice...?

I know your situation - I've been there myself. I would suggest that you travel to the nearest Orthodox parish (however far that may be) on a regular basis - say once a month for the divine services. When I was in that situation we drove to the nearest Church every other weekend - but then it was only about 2 or so hours away (across a mountain pass which made winter driving sometimes "tricky"). I have some parishioners who drive about 6-8 hours and stay the weekend (or longer for Holy Week and Pascha) whenever they can. Secondly, make some Orthodox friends and use every communication device you have to stay in touch (telephone, email, IM, even old fashioned pen and paper letters) regularly. Have a regular program of reading Orthodox spiritual writings. On our "off weeks" we would have the "reader's services" (services done without a priest) at home in front of the icon corner - check out Fr John Whiteford's webpage for resources: http://pages.prodigy.net/frjohnwhiteford/services.htm and once you get familiar with them, start inviting some of your friends from the Anglican and RC congregations to worship with you on occasion. Attend conferences whenever you can. Also, remember that you can be friends with people of other confessions without joining them in worship, etc. Fellowship and friendship with people of like mind - Orthodox or not - can help (although it doesn't replace the worship of the parish community).

Just a few suggestions - but it will at least get you started thinking.

[Anthony]

I lived in north eastern England for several years when I first became Orthodox, so I can sympathize with the problem. This was some time ago, so you will be more familiar with the current scene than I am, but a great help was the (women's) Monastery of the Assumption in Normanby (Whitby). An appropriate thought today as today is their feast.:)

[Christina Williams]

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions. Fortunately this weekend there is a Liturgy at Grimsby which I will be attending although the bus service has been axed several times it has just received another reprieve until 23rd Sept.

I will try and get peoples email addresses..that was a good idea....and I will also try and get in touch with the Monastery at Whitby which is an excellent suggestion.

Re the worship......I need to go to church. I do go early for private prayer but I also stay for the services..is this wrong?

Thank you again

God be with you all

ChristinA

[Trinitarian God]

It’s absolutely not wrong to stay for the service; Just FYI this website is very well known and very helpful.


http://www.goarch.org

[Trinitarian God]

FYI,

If you can try and buy this Bible Study Book, its so good and used buy allot of orthodox, It called The Orthodox Study Bible, new Testament and Psalms, New King James Version (Nelson 1292) as this is the closest translated interpretation from the Original written Greek New Testament and used widely by Orthodox, its so kool it Amplifies the Bible so you understand even more, it has morning and evening prays as well.


Glory be to the Trinitarian God
Now and Ever
and to the Ages of Ages
Amen