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there is a very interesting and honest article on this subject written by a priest:
[url=http://www.orthodoxengland.org.uk/brorthoc.htm]ON BECOMING AND REMAINING AN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN[/url]
I find that the most difficult thing about being Orthodox is that I have no more excuses. From my protestant upbringing, I believed that I was \"saved\" as if there were some kind of sticker that God put on my head that said \"This one is approved\". Now, I realize that it ain\'t necessarily so - and in order to be found as a workman approved, I better work like a workman.
I\'d really like to Echo Kerygma\'s sentiments about ethnic barriers and distances, I think those are the hard things for me as well. I also think its hard to be Orthodox in a culture that doesn\'t encourage Orthodox values. IE our fasts are different and there have been occasions when my non Orthodox friends haven\'t been as supportive as would have been nice.
Funny story about ethnic barriers, I once did a pilgrimage to a church to see their relic. I get there and something had changed in their schedule and the priest left early with their relic. Oh well things happen. But I had introduced myself and why I was there to a lady there who was closing up the church (secretary perhaps?) who obviously spoke English. First thing she asks me if I was Greek, to which I said yes. She then started talking to me in Greek, to which I told her oh I\'m sorry I\'ve never had a strong opportunity to learn Greek in my life. She said that\'s ok, and continued speaking to me in Greek. LOL no clue what she was saying even when I tried to politely explain again. She was undeterred and said well how are you going to learn if you don\'t learn when you do have a chance. LOL that lesson didn\'t stick well nor did last long.
super-orthodox are a huge stumbling block for me... it\'s very discouraging when someone has read every book in the orthodox library and is ready to tell you about every one of them.. or when their fast consists of water and air... etc
I just get the impression that maybe they\'re not living a balanced orthodox life... certainly I\'m not and am in no place to judge... but I find those folks who are quite the orthodox spectacle to be a distraction from the reality of orthodox living
maybe you can tell I liked that article too ^^
ReaderJohn wrote:
If I'm honest, I have to say that all my problems living an Orthodox life are within me.
My biggest difficulty is myself.
\"Because the spirit is eager, but the flesh weak.\"..
That does not leave me excuses though to nurse the flesh and suffocate the spirit.
I didn\'t read the article yet, but realizing a little more what my Baptism means, I know I am unworthy of such a gift, but I don\'t want to prove ungrateful too.
? agree with you ReaderJohn.but also sometimes people outsise of faith may consider you as an ufo. i mean the way that christians like or at least try to live.
Forgiveness is what I find the most challenging. Can I forgive someone who assaults me or my family? Can I forgive someone who takes another\'s life? Can I forgive myself if I respond to violence with violence?
I know I\'m supposed to. I know I should pray for those people. I know that is why I started attending church and was baptized. I also know how difficult it is.