Introductions from 2009

[M.C. Steenberg]

Welcome to the Discussion Community! Please use this thread to introduce yourself to other members of the forum.

[Thoumass Stephanou]

God bless all.
My name is Tom and I am new to the forum. I was born in England but originate from Cyprus. Raised as a greek orthodox but am continuously learning and living the orthodox ways.
Peace and love with all of you this new year and lets hope we can touch the hearts of non believers so they can find God too.

[Nina]

Welcome, welcome Tom! Thank God you are here! We look forward to learn from you. :)

[Bill Cherry]

:)

My name is Bill. I live in Ogden, Utah. Which is a suburb of Salt Lake City.
(Where the Mormons are!)

I'm just a carpenter. I found this forum while doing research for discussions in another forum I am in. (Catholic Answers Forum-I post there as 'That One Guy'-in case anyone is interested)

I found these forums to be very interesting. I think they will be a good supplement to my walk with Christ.

Thank you for allowing me to join. :D

[Alice]

Welcome Bill. :)

God bless you.

In Christ our Saviour,
Alice

[Father David Moser]

:)

My name is Bill. I live in Ogden, Utah. Which is a suburb of Salt Lake City.
(Where the Mormons are!)

Ogden is a "suburb" of SLC?! Well, if Ogden is a suburb then the whole of Utah must be a suburb of SLC. Oh, and my son (who lives in SLC) tells me that most of the Mormons don't actually live in the city but are in the "suburbs" (Bigger houses, etc, are available and so on) leaving the city itself for the new, mostly non-Mormon, residents. Welcome to the list.

Fr David Moser

[Owen Jones]

Wasn't Jesus "just a carpenter?"

[Theodora E.]

Hello! I've been lurking and reading here for several years, but finally decided to become a member (I've had a situation come up in my personal life)! I've been Orthodox 5+ years. I'm a member of a lovely OCA parish - very active (I live three miles from church so I've got no excuse to not be there!) - among other things, I'm in choir and just took over the women's group.

Theodora E (aka TE)

[Paul Cowan]

Welcome TE. Glad you came out of the "closet". :)

[Josh Sundheim]

Greetings!

My name is Josh and I'm from Columbus, OH. I've been Orthodox since my Christmation on Holy Saturday 2008. My wife and infant son were baptised that day as well. We attend an OCA parish (heavy on the Russian tradition no small thanks to our Serbian priest, Fr. Miroljub) in Columbus, OH but will be visiting with some of the other local parishes as time allows.

:)

[P. Lawrence]

Hello,

I’m Patwin Lawrence and I live in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Originally, I’m from South Carolina, my home state.

I have been interested in Orthodoxy for nearly five years. I was raised in the Baptist Church until about age six and then my family converted to Pentecostalism. In college, I became Anglican. After moving to Minnesota from South Carolina, I left the Episcopal Church for a local Church of Christ. The minister was a former Roman Catholic who always talked about the early church and early church fathers. As a person who loves history (that was my major in college) the early church fathers peaked my interest. After reading the fathers for over a year or so, I went back to the Anglican Church.

As an African-American, a YouTube video answering the question ‘Is Christianity a white man’s religion’ peaked my interest in Orthodoxy even more! Currently, I ‘m reading ‘An Unbroken Circle’ and ‘Wade in the River’ by Father Altschul.

I look forward to learning a lot on this website!

[D. W. Dickens]

I'm a recent convert in Southern California. I am fairly certain that I have little to offer apart from my previous mistakes. I'm not sure I'll do more than lurk. But I deeply appreciate the opportunity to "sit and listen" which is still a sort of participation.

:)

God bless.

[M.C. Steenberg]

A warm welcome to the several new members of late. May your time here be fruitful!

[Davor]

Hi everyone, my name is Davor, I have known about monachos.net for a number of years and have enjoyed it very much! I really appreciate all the people that have contributed to it as it is truely a unique place on the web.

I would just like to say a few things about myself, I was born in the former republic of Yugoslavia, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I'm Serbian Orthodox, I am now living in the republic of Armenia as a Peace Corps Volunteer.

The internet here is scatchy to say the least, so I will most likely not be an active poster while in Armenia. I have read numerouse books on Orthodoxy and I am familier with many aspects of the faith and Churhc life, however I would consider myself a novice in faith.

I would also consider myself extreamly lucky as there is a Russian Orthodox Church in the city that I'm living in Armenia, a priest comes once a month (every firist Sunday) from Yerevan and conducts service. Thats it from me for now, I will enojoy exploring the updated monachos site and reading the forums (via my phone, phone internet is really cheap, realiable and widely avaliable in Armenia :cool:)!

God bless !

[Penny B.]

Greetings. I grew up a cradle Roman Catholic. I wasn't much of anything for twenty years, and then a nominal Catholic for 18 months. Last night I became a Greek Orthodox catechumen. I am looking forward to learning about the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Patristics, Orthodox Theology, and finding my way in the faith. I am very happy to have a warm, energetic, and gentle Spiritual Father, and an very warm and welcoming church in my town. Also looking forward to reading all these threads here, my priest sent me to this site to explore it. :)

[M.C. Steenberg]

Greetings Penny, David, and our other newer members (those who have not yet introduced yourselves - do consider letting us know who you are!). May you feel very welcome here; and all look forward to your participation.

INXC, Dcn Matthew

[Daniel Harrison]

Hello,

My name is Nektarios, I am newly returned from the forum after being away for about 4-5 years.
I am an Orthdoox Christian in the Antiochian Archdiocese, I was converted to Holy Orthodoxy,
by our dear hieromonk Father Averky before his blessed repose.

In Christ
Nektarios

[Thoumass Stephanou]

Welcome all fellow new members. Im sure your stay here will be very pleasant as there are some amazing people on this forum.
In Christ

[Pietru Farrugia]

Hello all. Having an interest in Orthodox Christianity and the traditions of the Eastern Catholic churches, and, after reading a few threads, I've decided to join these forums. I'm a student in London, originally from Malta; 'Pietru' is Maltese for 'Peter'. Coming from a Catholic country/culture, I don't know much about your traditions in practice (although there is an Greek Catholic community on the island) and so I hope to learn from all of you. Blessings in Christ,

PF

[Stephen Wendland]

Greetings all,

I have been following several threads over the past few months and find myself using this site every time that I have a question that I don't want to bother my priest about, which is quite often. I also find the site to be a good starter for research and I look forward to being able to use this valuable resource.
I enjoy the way everything is put together and the tight moderation which adds to it's credibility, thus making this a good place for reliable information on the Orthodox faith. By the way, I have been Orthodox in my heart and mind for about 12 years but was chrismated only 3 years ago along with my family. The depth of knowledge and experience in the church never ceases to amaze me.

In Christ, Stephen

[M.C. Steenberg]

A warm welcome to Stephen, Pietru, and other new members. We all look forward to your participation.

INXC, Dcn Matthew

[Kseniya M.]

Hi, I haven't tried to post yet. I found out about Monachos.net last year from the Orthodox Circle toolbar and just recently joined.

I've been Orthodox since January 1997, currently living in upstate NY with my Greek Catholic husband and our three children, who are mostly getting ready to fly from the nest. Our youngest is looking to join the Coast Guard this fall; our middle son is graduating from college this May and has decided to take a year to get a job and an apartment "to practice being a grownup before going to grad school"; our oldest is on leave from college to sort out emotional difficulties; and I also have an older son from a previous marriage who lives and works in Idaho. I'm just a housewife -- hubby is a systems analyst for a Fortune 100 company.

I recently began to attend the tiny ROCOR parish in my town, mainly because I have severe environmental chemical issues, including a severe allergy to perfume, and practically nobody at the ROCOR parish wears anything strongly scented. I pretty much can't go anywhere else anymore, too many people wear too much perfume and I end up incapacitated.

I like quilting, knitting, and counted thread needlework. I used to bicycle 120 or so miles a week until I fell just wrong and injured a hip, so now I walk with a cane. And that's pretty much everything about me.

[Andrew D. Morrell]

Thank you, Fr Matthew. This forum has been a daily read: first I lurked, then I joined (a year ago)... and recently, I've even posted. While communicating in a forum is generally not "my thing", this venue has been an invaluable tool, providing many resources as well as leading to many face-to-face conversation starters with my priest, his priest and others older and far wiser in Orthodoxy than I will ever be.

Also, this being what it is - an online forum - I am >amazed< at how little downtime I've seen Monachos suffer! I believe the only recent glitch was the renewal issue (my wife and I went through withdrawal pains). What a testimony to the efforts you and the moderators (all clearly covered by the protection of God)... and all for our benefit.

Again, thank you for all your steadfast and diligent labor. We are blessed beyond measure by this small, illuminated piece of the internet. Truly, you have a teacher's heart.

In Christ,
Andrew

[M.C. Steenberg]

A warm welcome to the many new members of late - both those who have already said 'hello', and those yet to do so. We all look forward to your contribution to the community.

INXC, Dcn Matthew

[Katie L.]

Hello! I'm not exactly sure what to say here, but ah well. As you can see, I'm Katie, although my patron is St. Mary of Egypt...I've been Orthodox for about 6 years, though only recently have really decided/confronted/learned about what I believe. So, I'm quite doubtful that I have much to offer in the discussions and such, so I may end up just lurking...some of you might know me from OrthodoXCircle, btw. :)

[Clay Bond]

I was raised (pre-V2) Catholic, and was Chrismated in 1984 in an Antiochian parish. I live now in Pennsylvania, and attend an OCA parish (so does that make me OCA or Antiochian? I wondered when I checked afffiliation.) And my 'n' key is not well, so please excuse missing 'n's.

God bless!

[Michael Cook]

New to the community - but not new to Monachos. My time on this site over the last several years, helped us cross the line to Orthodoxy. I look forward to your friendship and your conversations.

Peace in Christ

Michael

[M. P. Howland]

χαιρε!

My name is Matt and I live in the state of Wisconsin, USA. I am not of the Orthodox tradition, however i have a deeply rooted appreciation for your beautiful liturgy. I do like to attend services at the Serbian Orthodox Church as often as i can. I am of the Lutheran tradition, the more conservative kind here in the United States. I am going to be attending Seminary next year. I am well read in κοινη Greek and also Biblical Hebrew. I look forward to participating in and learning from this community.

Peace and Joy in the Suffering Christ,

Matt

[Andreas]

hello my fathers and friends in christ
it is an honour and a blessing to find and be a part of such a great community of knowlegable GOD loving people may god bless you and have mercy on me

IC XC
NI KA

andreas

[Antanas Blužas OFM]

Pax et Bonum!

My name is Antanas and I come from Lithuania, where Catholic and Orthodox traditions are living like sisters (sometimes withought people realising it). At the moment I am living in Canterbury, UK and doing MA Theology at the Franciscan International Study Centre. It is my sixth and the last year in UK. I am also a Franciscan Friar. (For those who do not know the Order of Friars Minor was founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1209). Last year in June I was ordained deacon and now preparing for the ordination to the priesthood.
I came accros this forum quite recently together with Ancient Faith Radio and wonderfull podcasts by Fr. Dcn. Matthew Steenberg, when I was looking for something on the internet. This forum is useful especially for my MA thesis, nevertheless I am sure that I will stay here even when I will finish my academic studies.

God bless you all!
Fraternally yours, Br. Dcn. Antanas Blužas OFM
T

[Evangelia P.]

Hi All,

My name is Evangelia and I am of greek heritage and baptised orthodox - I live In London UK.
My fiancee and I are due to get married during the summer in Greece and have Orthodox wedding. He is to become baptised and this is part of the reason I joined the community initially, to seek more of an understanding of the process he must go through. We are in regular contact with our local priest too. In the meantime though, this process has really renewed and made my own faith stronger. It has also lead me to take a much more in depth look at traditions I have grown up with and at times, perhaps, taken for granted, it is an exciting journey.

Evangelia

[Mike Fulton]

Hello all!

Well it is a long time coming in trying to join after being prodded by my fellow altar server Paul Cowan (thanks Paul!)

My name is Mike Fulton and I have been Orthodox since 2004 where I converted from Roman Catholicism after becoming frustrated with the post-Vatican II church. My wife and I attend St. Joseph's Antiochian Orthodox Church where I serve as a reader and acolyte. I'm also a teacher by profession, instructing students in World Geography, Economics, and US Government.

Recently, I was given a blessing by His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP to apply to seminary to begin the path towards priestly ordination. Just a few weeks ago I was given notice from Holy Cross in Brookline, MA of my acceptance. My wife and I plan on making the big move in August so that I can start the fall semester.

My interests include liturgical theology, patristics, Athonite incense production, and 20th century saints (paticularly St. Nectarios of Aegina). I also have a sick fascination with cultology (particulary Mormonism, Dispensationalism, Islam, and the Baha'i Faith), and responding to such beliefs from Orthodox perspective.

Thank you for the welcome. May you all have a blessed Holy Week and a Glorious Pascha.

[Paul Cowan]

Welcome Reader Michael. (It's about time) :cool:

All right ya'll, that's another Texan on board. We're tipping the scales down here. Ya'll need to start promoting out there.

Paul

[Owen Jones]

Dear Mike,

I hope you continue your interests in seminary because people in the pews need to learn more about cultology, because by comparing we learn more about our own faith and are less susceptible to quackery. But I also would encourage every seminarian to realize that all of this learning is not necessarily going to allow you to connect with your people on the feeling level, which is what everyone really wants and needs, and this is a necessary precondition really to learning. What we all really need to know is -- does God or anyone else really love me? Can I be of any use to God? Am I the only one who feels this way? Or do other people have the same struggles? When I am anxious or fearful, or suffer temptations, what should I do, in the practical sense. What kind of practical knowledge can you give me, based on your own experience, for making progress in my spiritual life.

I'm not sure this is really taught in seminary. I think too often seminarians are taught what to believe, and what they need to teach their flock to believe, as if information about it were enough.

ENOUGH OF MY SERMON! May you feel God's presence during Pascha and experience holy tears!

[Mike Fulton]

Dear Mike,

I hope you continue your interests in seminary because people in the pews need to learn more about cultology, because by comparing we learn more about our own faith and are less susceptible to quackery. But I also would encourage every seminarian to realize that all of this learning is not necessarily going to allow you to connect with your people on the feeling level, which is what everyone really wants and needs, and this is a necessary precondition really to learning. What we all really need to know is -- does God or anyone else really love me? Can I be of any use to God? Am I the only one who feels this way? Or do other people have the same struggles? When I am anxious or fearful, or suffer temptations, what should I do, in the practical sense. What kind of practical knowledge can you give me, based on your own experience, for making progress in my spiritual life.

I'm not sure this is really taught in seminary. I think too often seminarians are taught what to believe, and what they need to teach their flock to believe, as if information about it were enough.

ENOUGH OF MY SERMON! May you feel God's presence during Pascha and experience holy tears!

Well, cultology is only a random interest that I do have. Albeit, useless. :rolleyes: It is right up there with studying bonzai trees.

Ultimately, it is the job of the clergy, as well as the Christian in general, to radiate to other people the things that you spoke of. Helping others see Christ within themselves and "preaching Christ crucified" should be the mission of the Church.

I wouldn't know what seminaries teach as I have yet to attend a seminary.

Christos Anesti!

In the Risen Christ,

Rdr. Mike

[Douglas B.]

Christ is risen!

I've been Orthodox for 18 years now (actually, this coming June 4th will mark my 18th year). I was brought into the Church through the Antiochian Church and due to a move am now in the OCA. Although I've been "in" the Church for all these years, I don't feel very knowledgeable about the faith... at least, not knowledgeable enough to make much of a contribution to the discussions. I'm simply here to learn from others. Thank you for allowing me to become a member. Peace be with you.

[Anton_A]

Hello. My name is Anton Arkhipov, I am an orthodox christian from Ukraine, Dnepropetrovsk.
I am a volunteer of cancer children's hospital in my town. I look forward to your help in a number of legal and organization issues.
Mu work - computer service, also I am a postgraduate student of Dnepropetrovsk national university.

Sorry for not perfect English.

[Jonathan Hayward]

I would like to introduce myself. I am a former theology student. I was pursuing a doctorate with the intent of being able to help form Orthodox clergy. (It would take long enough that I might be liturgically formed and more Orthodox after the time my studies would take!) I spent some time at Cambridge (I think I briefly met Matthew Steenberg at an IOCS weekend), and then had a considerably rough experience at another university that kept me from obtaining the degree I enrolled for. I am now programming and taking some time to heal, in a job where the Lord has provided richer blessings than I would have thought would ever happen.

I am not in the academia that I sought, but I believe God is at work; if I am now out of academic theology, I am struggling with the theology that is ascesis. And I am continuing to write on my website at JonathansCorner.com (http://JonathansCorner.com/).

From my "What's New" page, the last pieces of theology and apologetics are,


The Law of Attraction: A Dialogue with an Eastern Orthodox Christian Mystic (http://jonathanscorner.com/attraction/) (definitely an apologetics work)
An Open Letter to Catholics on Orthodoxy and Ecumenism (http://JonathansCorner.com/ecumenism/) (sorry if this is controversial)
How to Survive an Economic Depression (http://JonathansCorner.com/survive/) (theology gives the best answer to that question)
Doxology (http://JonathansCorner.com/doxology/) (if you read one piece, read this)
Exotic Golden Ages and Restoring Harmony with Nature: Anatomy of a Passion (http://JonathansCorner.com/exotic/) (out of something I've learned needed repenting)
Technonomicon: Technology, Nature, Ascesis (http://jonathanscorner.com/technonomicon/) (ascesis, salvation, and the American love affair with cool gadgets)

I still have a sense that I am reaching for Orthodox theology and not reaching it... but a Protestant friend commented that work such as on my website is "my ministry", and I believe that what I leave behind may be what I am building on my website at JonathansCorner.com (http://JonathansCorner.com/), and I invite you to visit.

Христос воскресе! Χριστος ανεστη!

Love, Jonathan

[Jonathan Hayward]

I hope you continue your interests in seminary because people in the pews need to learn more about cultology, because by comparing we learn more about our own faith and are less susceptible to quackery.

One random note: I have, or rather have had, a perhaps-too-major interest in cultology. Part of why I backed off (besides, for instance, the unedifying character of reading heretical documents even if to the end of strengthening Orthodox faith) has to do with an insight I heard many years ago.

When the United States Department of Treasury is training agents from other federal agencies to be able to detect counterfeit bills, they don't show them a taxonomy of telltale cues to recognize all the different fakes because there are simply too many to keep track of. What they do instead is show the agents every intimate detail of real bills until they have come to a point of eating, sleeping, and breathing genuine U.S. Treasury bills, and when an agent who has done that sees a counterfeit bill, it simply looks wrong.

The more time has passed, the more wisdom I've seen in that.

[Richard H.]

Hello All,

After a few months of lurking, I've finally decided to register. This sort of mirrors my own spiritual journey - after a couple of years of casually reading about Orthodox spirituality, followed by almost a year of dipping my toes into the waters of Orthodoxy, I have recently asked my Parish Priest-to-be to receive me into the Orthodox Church. From toe-dipping, to diving in head first, as it were.

Born and raised as an Anglican (from the separated-but-longing-to-be-reunited-with-Rome end of the Church of England), I have been RC for 19 years. I was about to enter a religious community before God pulled the rug out from under my feet and I'm still wondering when I'm going to hit the ground.

I have some questions about Orthodox theology (the first of many, I'm sure), and my PP2b suggested that Monachos.net would be a good place to enquire, as an adjunct to my catechesis, and so I will go and pore through the archives a little and then get stuck in. And may God have mercy upon me.

Christ is Risen!
Richard

[M.C. Steenberg]

Welcome, Richard. It is good to have you here, and I am certain I am not the only one who looks forward to your contributions.

He is risen, indeed!

INXC, Dcn Matthew

[Father David Moser]

I have recently asked my Parish Priest-to-be to receive me into the Orthodox Church. From toe-dipping, to diving in head first, as it were.

Of course in Orthodoxy that would be diving in three times.:)

Fr David Moser

[Olga Hatz]

Hi, my name is Olga, and I'm from Sydney, Australia. I'm 27 and I was born and raised Greek Orthodox but I still feel I have much to learn, and that I will never stop learning. It seems to me I will ask more questions on this forum rather that try to answer them Please be patient with me and thank you for letting me join!

[Nina]

Welcome Olga dearest. :)

[Panayota K.]

Hello to the Monachos.net community!
I was searching the net for information about the monastery of Essex and your link was the first that appeared. After reading a few topics I decided to join you. I have to say it was a very pleasant surprise to find Orthodox brothers and sisters from around the world. I was deeply moved..
A few things about me; I am a Greek teacher, live in Thessaloniki and hope to visit many monasteries outside Greece (the one in Essex being the first one!!!). Although I was baptised only months after I was born, I only began to realise what this means when I was sixteen. And this beautiful journey to the essence of our faith continues...

May God bless us all
Panayota

[Nina]

Welcome dear Panayota. :)

[Peter M]

Hi,
My name is Peter, Brother Pete to many, and I am from NJ.

I came from a fundamental baptist church and was a frequent evangelist, prison preacher, door-knocker and Sunday school teacher. I have also been an American Baptist, and I grew up as a non-practicing Roman Catholic. (I spent more time being a reprobate than anything else :mad: and initially got "saved" because of incredibly pressing problems in my life that gave me very little hope.)

I'm not sure why I ended up becoming Orthodox, I just did. I happened on a few vigils in the ROCOR church near me, and by the time I hit my first divine liturgy, I knew that I couldn't go back to a preach-and-sing type church. Those days were over. I was always interested in finding the true Church, and there were many unsatisfying variations to the faith, and that seemed in conflict with the Holy Scripture, Let there be no divisions among you.

I was chrismated on Lazarus Saturday in April; my one-year-old was also baptized and received that day as well:). My wife was recently chrismated and we are well on our way.

I've been somewhat of a lurker for a while, and I enjoy reading this site, to get me out of the daily doldrums of work, which is in a niche business segment associated with transportation and finance.

IC XC,

Brother Pete

[Alice]

Welcome Peter!--to Orthodoxy and also to this forum! *wink*

In Christ,
Alice

P.S. I don't get the 'Brother Pete' stuff ?!?!? (*confused*)

[Peter M]

Hi,

Forget the "Brother Pete." Just an old nickname from my Baptist days. I see it causes confusion so I'm dropping it! You can call me Pete. Thanks!;)

[Jonathan Hayward]

Hi,

Forget the "Brother Pete." Just an old nickname from my Baptist days. I see it causes confusion so I'm dropping it! You can call me Pete. Thanks!;)
I didn't mind it! I liked it.

But anyways, welcome to the forum. Or welcome to writing on the forum, or whatever welcome is appropriate!

Christos Jonathan

[David James]

I also was received into Orthodoxy on Lazarus Saturday - in 1969! Forty years long have I grieved the Lord, and continued to err in my heart, for I have not learned His ways.

David James


Hi,
I was chrismated on Lazarus Saturday in April; my one-year-old was also baptized and received that day as well:). My wife was recently chrismated and we are well on our way.

I've been somewhat of a lurker for a while, and I enjoy reading this site, to get me out of the daily doldrums of work, which is in a niche business segment associated with transportation and finance.

IC XC,

Brother Pete

[Etsi JC Brigid W.]

Hello. I'm Etsi, wife of 15yrs and mother to many children. I'm from another Christian tradition, but have been attending a Greek Orthodox Church with my husband, who has been leaning that direction for some time (let's just say, I saw this coming ;) ). My children are loving it and I've been learning a lot. Someone from another Orthodox board recommended Monachos.net to me.

[Peter M]

Welcome aboard! Pleased to have you here. I came from a different Christian tradition and helped lead my wife into the Church as well. May God bless you in this most holy pursuit!
:)

[Jonathan Hayward]

Hello. I'm Etsi, wife of 15yrs and mother to many children. I'm from another Christian tradition, but have been attending a Greek Orthodox Church with my husband, who has been leaning that direction for some time (let's just say, I saw this coming ;) ). My children are loving it and I've been learning a lot. Someone from another Orthodox board recommended Monachos.net to me.
Welcome on board!

Christos Jonathan

[Preston Neel]

Hey everyone,

I'm currently an undergraduate pursuing degrees in Religious Studies and History. Until recently, I was a very motivated Traditional Catholic (http://fisheaters.com/traditionalcatholicism.html) but am currently sorting through some serious difficulties with Catholic ecclesiology and the current state of the Roman Catholic Church. I've been studying Orthodoxy and find that its nothing like the "propaganda" I heard in the RCC. I attended my first Divine Liturgy this past Sunday at a local (Antiochian) Orthodox parish. [I found out later that the priest there is the son of the famous Fr. Peter Gillquist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_E._Gillquist).]

The "weirdest" thing about attending the Divine Liturgy was hearing the service in English, as I've only attended the Traditional Latin Mass for the past couple of years. I've also found it strange in studying Orthodoxy that I can actually trust the hierarchy; a person trying to live as loyal to Catholic tradition and dogma must be selective about the authors he reads. I'm moving very, very slowly, but there's a good chance I might end up converting. This is very difficult to say, because I was the staunchest of hardline Catholics and felt a little guilty for attending the Divine Liturgy.

I will probably be around asking questions, so be patient with me!

[Ryan]

Hi Preston, and welcome. I look forward to discussing any questions you have. I should warn you, though, that the Orthodox Church is not without controversies and issues of its own- not on the scale of the Roman Catholic Church, of course, but they're there. From time to time, hierarchs may say questionable things or squabble with each other. We are human, of course. ;)

[Alexandros]

Hello, everyone!

My name is Alexandros, and I'm a half-Greek, half-German student living in Germany. I'm 17 years old. I was baptized in the Church of Greece, but I have been approaching Orthodoxy only very slowly during the past years. However, I feel like I'm slowly getting there. I'm looking forward to some interesting discussions.

IC XC
NI KA

Alex

[Jonathan Hayward]

Hello, everyone!

My name is Alexandros, and I'm a half-Greek, half-German student living in Germany. I'm 17 years old. I was baptized in the Church of Greece, but I have been approaching Orthodoxy only very slowly during the past years. However, I feel like I'm slowly getting there. I'm looking forward to some interesting discussions.

IC XC
NI KA

Alex
Welcome home!

Christos Jonathan

[Fady Samir]

HI!! My name is Fady Samir (Fady means Redeemer :) ) , Coptic Orthodox. I was born in Cairo , Egypt and still living in it (unfortunately!!,ihm)
IGCSE Diploma Student (17 years old)
I am very glad with such a superb ,literally magnificent, forum. What motivated me to join this forum , that I am a seeker of truth (without exaggerating). Currently, I have many reasons to be Coptic but few to be Greek. I think this forum may become in handy.
I am in dilemma really, to be a Greek Orthodox , I must collect as much information and evidences then compare them with the evidences of authenticity of Coptic Orthodox church. I try to view the controversial aspects from a neutral view. Kindly, I'll display the controversial points and require as many topics and threads regarding the current issues:
1) Proving the neutralism and truth of Chalcedonies commandments (in other words,proving that Pope Dioscoros is actually guilty)
2) Deep explanation of "Theosis" with reference to the Fathers' writings
3) Against the inerrancy of the Holy Bible (that's an exceedingly important topic)
4) Against the Original sin

:D I pray to the Holy LORD that I'd benefit from you and who knows maybe after 2 or 3 years be a Greek Orthodox.

In Christ,,

[Nina]

Welcome Fady. We have another friend here who converted from OO to Orthodoxy. His name is Mina Monir. It is so nice to see that this forum is a place where people from different countries feel at home.

[Mina Mounir]

Hello, everyone!

My name is Alexandros, and I'm a half-Greek, half-German student living in Germany. I'm 17 years old. I was baptized in the Church of Greece, but I have been approaching Orthodoxy only very slowly during the past years. However, I feel like I'm slowly getting there. I'm looking forward to some interesting discussions.

IC XC
NI KA

Alex
Welcome Alexandros ...

[Fady Samir]

Welcome Fady. We have another friend here who converted from OO to Orthodoxy. His name is Mina Monir. It is so nice to see that this forum is a place where people from different countries feel at home.

Hi Nina,,
Thank you for replying. :) Sure I know Mr.Monir but I wish that he would post his conversion story on this forum. So it would be so beneficial not only for me but for many "truth seekers".
In Christ,,


Hello, everyone!

My name is Alexandros, and I'm a half-Greek, half-German student living in Germany. I'm 17 years old. I was baptized in the Church of Greece, but I have been approaching Orthodoxy only very slowly during the past years. However, I feel like I'm slowly getting there. I'm looking forward to some interesting discussions.

IC XC
NI KA

Alex

Hi Buddy,,
What a splendid coincidence :)!! I am a 17 year old teen like you.
It feels good to find people sharing your same age and by the way, you have a very nice name
In Christ,,
Fady

[Spiros Rally]

Hello,
I am Greek Orthodox or at least try to be. I am looking for a place where I can easily find information on the faith and answer questions as I try to teach my children about God and Orthodoxy. Sunday School doesn't seem to be enough. Just started reading some posts and searched on interesting topics - seems like the right place.

All the best to everyone.

Spiros.

[Sophia C.]

Hello all - just a quick note to introduce myself
I, like many I am sure, have browsed the site for some time but never registered (and to find directions to St John the Baptist monastery in Essex!! - which I am pleased to say I recently visited for the first time and was blessed to find the spiritual Father that I have been seeking and needing).

With love in Christ, our God
Sophia

P.S. I hope I am posting this is the right place! Forgive me if not

[M.C. Steenberg]

Dear Fados, Spiros, Sophia and other new members,

Many greetings and a warm welcome. We are glad you are here, and look forward to your contributions to the Community.

INXC, Dcn Matthew

[Margaret S.]

Hello all - just a quick note to introduce myself.....
P.S. I hope I am posting this is the right place! Forgive me if not

Welcome, Sophia. Absolutely the right place. Essex is wonderful, isn't it? One of the sisters there remembered my name after ten years!

Regards
Margaret
in Edinburgh

[Sophia C.]

Fr Dcn Matthew and Margaret - thank you for your warm welcomes.

Margaret, the monastery visit was such a blessing to me. I called again this evening to arrange another visit. My niece said I was glowing when I returned and my eyes shining - I could see it too! It was wonderful to be immersed in prayer and then difficult to return to normal life and the struggle of daily prayer (always feeling like I never quite make the grade, but reminded always that there is no condemnation for those in Christ and always striving for a closer relationship with our wonderful God.) The mountain-top experience is something we all need and I look forward to my next visit.

Sophia
Cornwall, England

[Jacob]

Hello friends,
My name is Jacob. I am a Protestant but became interested in Orthodoxy after reading David Hart, Jaroslav Pelikan, and Daniel Clendennin. I have found reading Eastern guys to be invigorating and to my limited ability have tried to put it in practice. I do have questions on "why do the Orthodox do ________?" They are not meant to be debative, but informative.

Peace,
Jacob

[M.C. Steenberg]

Welcome, Jacob.

[Kevin Minnick]

Hello Everyone,


My Name is Kevin. I am a recent convert from Roman Catholicism and started attending a parish in the OCA back in January.

I have 3 children (one more about to make her appearance in 2 weeks) and a beautiful wife of 7 years. I've been looking for an Orthodox forum for a while, and then I stumbled upon this one yesterday.

I look forward to learning and getting to know some of the members here !

God bless,

Kevin:D

[Michael Woods]

Welcome to the Discussion Community! Please use this thread to introduce yourself to other members of the forum.

Dear All,

My name is Michael Woods. I am a new member, that truly enjoys being around others that want to service, and communicate with God. It is such a wonderful feeling to be able to learn and talk about the wonderful Creator and all his creation.

In Christ,
Michael

[Panayota K.]

Fr Dcn Matthew and Margaret - thank you for your warm welcomes.

Margaret, the monastery visit was such a blessing to me. I called again this evening to arrange another visit. My niece said I was glowing when I returned and my eyes shining - I could see it too! It was wonderful to be immersed in prayer and then difficult to return to normal life and the struggle of daily prayer (always feeling like I never quite make the grade, but reminded always that there is no condemnation for those in Christ and always striving for a closer relationship with our wonderful God.) The mountain-top experience is something we all need and I look forward to my next visit.

Sophia
Cornwall, England

Welcome Sophia!
I hope you find everything you want and need in this site. There are truely plenty!
I just wanted to say that I too visited the monastery of Essex on July and it was as you described! A deeply blessed experience! And I am planning to go again! I guess one time is not enough..!

Panayota

[Antonios]

Welcome Kevin, Michael, and all new members. God bless you!

[R. Schutt]

Hey there,

My name is Ryan and I'm a student at Trinity Western University in Langley, BC. I'm majoring in religious studies (more specifically Christianity & Culture) after a stint in political science for my first few years.

I grew up Baptist, came to university and had my world turned upside down. I went througha crisis of faith, almost became agnostic, the only thing keeping me from leaving Christianity being my discovery of the Roman Catholic Church and its theology. I nearly became Catholic, but I realized that I had not given due attention to the Eastern Church. In order to be intellectually and spiritually honest with myself, I realized I had to study the Eastern church.

I look forward to learning more as I explore Eastern Christianity! The little that I have touched upon, I have been pleasantly surprised and excited!

Ryan

[Antonios]

Welcome Ryan! 'Come and see!'

[Nicolaj]

Wellcome all new members.

In Christ, Nicolaj

[Jeremy Troy]

Hello everyone,

My name is Jeremy. I'm a philosophy student in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and I am currently a catechumen at St George Antiochian Orthodox Church.

[Panayota K.]

Welcome Jeremy! :)

[Brian Patrick Mitchell]

I'm Dn. Patrick Mitchell. I'm a writer in Washington, D.C., and serve at St. Nicholas Cathedral. I was raised Church of Christ (Campbellite) and converted in 1990, as a result of a tour in Turkey while in the Army.

I'm happy to have found an Orthodox discussion site where the posters treat each other kindly. (I know of at least four where they don't.) My deeply felt thanks to all who make this site possible.

In Christ, DnP

[Mary M.]

Welcome to the Discussion Community! Please use this thread to introduce yourself to other members of the forum.

Hi All,
I'm Mary and I'm an inquirer into Orthodoxy. I've been lurking for a few months, and, I must say, this is, hands down, the most civil and informative board I've seen in years. I'm really looking forward to becoming a part of the Monachos.net community.

In Christ,
Mary M.

[Jonathan Hayward]

I'm Dn. Patrick Mitchell. I'm a writer in Washington, D.C., and serve at St. Nicholas Cathedral. I was raised Church of Christ (Campbellite) and converted in 1990, as a result of a tour in Turkey while in the Army.

I'm happy to have found an Orthodox discussion site where the posters treat each other kindly. (I know of at least four where they don't.) My deeply felt thanks to all who make this site possible.

In Christ, DnP

If you're not familiar with it, you may (or may not) be interested in OrthodoXCircle.com. I haven't been active on it for a while, but I would characterize the differences as saying that OrthodoXCircle is a friendly socializing place, vaguely like Facebook, while Monachos is social as an aspect of being a forum emphasizing patristics.

Christos Jonathan

[Brian Patrick Mitchell]

If you're not familiar with it, you may (or may not) be interested in OrthodoXCircle.com. I haven't been active on it for a while, but I would characterize the differences as saying that OrthodoXCircle is a friendly socializing place, vaguely like Facebook, while Monachos is social as an aspect of being a forum emphasizing patristics.

Christos Jonathan

Thanks. I wasn't aware of OrthodoXCircle and will check it out.

DnP

[David Robles]

Hello everyone :)
I would like to thank Fr. Deacon Matthew, all the moderators and the members for receiving me in your community. I am an Orthodox layman. I was baptized in 1998 for Pascha. In the fall of 1996, I was invited to a conversation with an Orthodox Christian. My friend and I were trying to prove to the Orthodox, that Calvinism was the correct approach to scripture. But my Orthodox friend led me instead to the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, the Orthodox Church.
I love the Church Fathers so I think this community is the right place for me. I thank you all again, for your hospitality.
In Christ
David

[Momchil Tanchev]

Hello to everyone at monachos.net!

I've been born in Bulgaria and became a member of the Orthodox Church at the age of 7 or 8. Almost all my conscious life I've been a believer though I rarely visited churches. At the age of 23 after discontinuing my education at the Medical University of Sofia I joined a group of zealots. Though I soon stopped to look for their company, under their influence I began to confess and commune regularly. At the moment I work as a translator from English into Bulgarian.

Unworthy, but orthodox,
Momchil

[Sydney (Nicoletta) F.]

Greetings in Christ!

I am an Orthodox Christian student at the University of Limerick, and I am working on an MA in chant. I'm originally from the US (I was born and raised in Arizona and went to college in Minnesota). I currently attend a small Antiochian mission parish, and we are working on outreach. I would love to hear from any other Orthodox Christians in Ireland who happen to be on this forum.

A few "fun facts": I am a convert from the Lutheran church. I am a triplet. I am totally blind from birth (feel free to ask any questions that you may have regarding this).

Enough about me! :-) I look forward to getting to know the wonderful people in this community, to learning, and to contributing what little I can.

Glory to God!!

Nicoletta

[Savvas]

Hello from me as well, I am an orthodox Christian from Greece, and living in Newcastle upon tyne (U.K) at the moment after finishing my degree in the university. I found this forum when I was searching for any information about the monastery in Essex that I would like to visit soon.

Greetings to all !

[Panayota K.]

Welcome all to our family! Looking forward to your comments!

In Christ
Panayota

[Dimitrios Georgios K.]

Hello all! I am a Greek Orthodox, currently studying Molecular Biology and Genetics at the Demokritus University of Thrace. I feel very thankful for having found this forum.

Greetings to all!

[Georgios Nassar]

Hello. My name is George, I orthodox from Russia. I for the first time at a foreign orthodox forum. I here to learn as there live my orthodox brothers from other countries. Sorry my bad English.
Whether there are here orthodox brothers from the Middle East (from Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Palestine)?
Русским соотечественникам и сербским братьям сердечное приветствие.
وإنني أرحب الاخوة الارثوذكس العرب.

[Paul Cowan]

A big welcome to all our new members. May you find what you seek and participate so we can find what we seek.

Paul

[Amalia]

Hello,

My name is Amalia, I come from Romania but I live in Germany where I am finishing my studies. I am very happy to have found this website and be able to learn so much from it!
I have no friends in the area who are actually interested in orthodoxy, so I am glad to be able to get in contact with orthodox people from all around the world on this forum.

In Christ,
Amalia

[Speros]

Please keep in mind, I am no way anti-Orthodox. There will always be a place for Orthodoxy in my heart, just as there is a place for the Roman Catholic Church in which I was raised. In my junior year of high school, I started attending the Orthodox church simply because the well loved priest at my Catholic parish retired, and the priest scandal at the time made me question the trustworthiness of the Roman Church in America.

I was seventeen years old at the time, and visited the Orthodox church because a friend from school had a deacon there as her father and she invited me. Also, my father's side of the family is Orthodox. I did not become serious about Orthodoxy, in terms of insisting that Orthodoxy alone is the one true faith, until my junior and senior year of college, when I was away from home for the first time and the uncertainty and anxiety of my circumstances caused me to insist on a rigid understanding of the faith. The priests I became involved with in college were questionable, and gave me a warped view of what it means to be a Christian.

At the reception of my friend's wedding, during my final quarter of college, I had the most profound spiritual experience of my life. It's possible that I was experiencing heat exhaustion or some other natural cause, but I was convinced of feeling the profound presence of the love, joy, and peace of Christ in the room. I actually had to leave and eat outside for a few minutes because I felt so overwhelmed by it. This was not a presence that was monarchical and condemning, but one of grace and freedom. It's as if Jesus himself was present at this wedding feast. The hours that passed by felt like minutes, as if I had entered eternity. I was Orthodox at the time and had no similar experience in an Orthodox setting. This spiritual experience was at a Protestant wedding service among Protestant friends who despite my foolish sectarianism, had come to accept me and care about my well being.

When I came home from college and reflected on my experiences and my mistakes, in how I offended fellow Christians, I came to realize that Christ is beyond our sectarianism. As I've said before, I haven't moved from the Orthodox team to the Protestant team. I feel that I've transcended teams to rely on Christ alone. (1 Tim 2:5) I do not claim that Protestantism is the only true way to understand the Christian faith. I'd only contend that it's one legitimate interpretation among several possible interpretations. All that matters is your love of Christ and whether you follow his commandments.

The central point of the Protestant Reformation, that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone as found in Scripture alone, is firmly supported by the early church fathers. Luther and Calvin were among the most well read patristic scholars of their time and often appealed to the fathers in their writings. Based on careful research, the Reformers sincerely believed that they were restoring ancient Christian faith. They did not rely on themselves for Scriptural interpretation, but defended what they found to be the early patristic witness.

This is a collection of quotes from the church fathers that the Reformers appealed to in defense of their Reformation:

The "Lutheran" Solas in the Church Fathers (http://www.issuesetcarchive.org/issues_site/resource/archives/weedon.htm)

[M.C. Steenberg]

Welcome to our newer members. May this place be helpful to you in your desire to learn more of Orthodoxy in her patristic and monastic heritage.

INXC, Dcn Matthew