A Different Religion


Even though many people in Orthodoxy are cultural Christians, just like I was used to in the Episcopal Church, many of the people, clergy, that I have met in Orthodoxy really believe this stuff.

...Even amongst the AngloCatholics, I'm not used to finding people that, by and large, actually believe what they claim to believe. However, when I attend the Divine Liturgy with Fr. Phillips, after 50 + years as a priest, you truly understand that he believes what he preaches, what he worships.... I've heard some sermons from other Orthodox Priests - and it seems like the same.

So, Claudia and I were talking tonight about the entire Orthodox experience to date. I found myself making the remark that it felt like we were joining an entirely different religion.

Wow.

How weird is that? We recite what is (mostly) the same creed. We believe in the Trinity. Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Why do I feel like we are following a different religion? Even though many people in Orthodoxy are cultural Christians, just like I was used to in the Episcopal Church, many of the people, clergy, that I have met in Orthodoxy really believe this stuff.

I'm not used to that in the ECUSA. Even amongst the AngloCatholics, I'm not used to finding people that, by and large, actually believe what they claim to believe. However, when I attend the Divine Liturgy with Fr. Phillips, after 50 + years as a priest, you truly understand that he believes what he preaches, what he worships. I believe - doggone it, I'm nearly moved to tears every week - what he worships and preaches. Fr. Braun, at the Antiochian Orthodox Church that we visited is the same way. I understand that the Priest at the OCA parish in Poway is the same way. I've heard some sermons from other Orthodox Priests - and it seems like the same. How did Western Christianity wander so far way?

What is so weird about believing what we preach?

Posted: Sun - May 7, 2006 at 10:30 PM        

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