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jwbirk
Starting Member
USA
10 Posts |
 Posted - 09/21/2005 : 13:27:33
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[quote]Originally posted by parascheva1014
We have something that we do at my church that I don't really know if other churches do this as well or not. Maybe it's an Antiochian thing or it just could be a Holy Cross thing.
When someone comes to visit usually several members in the parish will give the person a piece of blessed bread.
___
I have been to your church (I attend SS.Constantine and Helen usually) and this impressed me and made me feel very welcome. I have seen this in other Antiochian churches, but never in the Greek (I'm Greek Orthodox). I have also had priests (not at Holy Cross) ask everyone who is not from the parish introduce themselves after Liturgy, during announcments, and this I have found to be very uncomfortable.
I think that one must be very sensitive when approaching a newcomer. One of the things that helped me accept Orthodoxy was that I could come and go on my own terms, without worrying that someone might try to involve me in 'fellowship' or other social activities after Liturgy. I feel very differently now, but when I was Protestant I was quite sensitive to any pressure to 'become involved', and would not attend churches a second time if someone approached me after services. Not everyone is initially looking for community and warmth.
JWBirk
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sigyn
Junior Member
USA
112 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2005 : 20:40:39
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I like community and warmth, but the All Saints isn't pushy. They were very nice to me, showed me where the ladies room was, invited me to join everyone for the brunch after church and to the Bible Study. I was made to feel welcome but in no way pressured. Of course if anyone in the church is pushy it is me.
I used to work in sales and I'm no wallflower. |
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admin
Forum Admin
138 Posts |
Posted - 09/23/2005 : 11:36:44
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| I know how you feel there. I'm unlikely to find anyone push I'm such an extrovert. |
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calmwaters
Starting Member
4 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2006 : 10:39:32
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| Hi all. New to this forum and a recent convert to Orthodoxy. I had been protestant all my life up until a year ago. I attended an Antiochian Orthodox mission parish with a lot of questions and concerns on my mind. Didn't really know what to expect. The people were warm and friendly. They were attentive to my questions and directed me to the answers. They showed me their library and some good books I could take home to read. Some of the big questions/concerns I had were concerning Mary, Icons, and Holy Communion (changing bread/wine into Body and Blood of Jesus). I think that was important for me to have those questions answered early. Also, they advise the reason that only members of the Orthodox Church should take part in Holy Communion in a kind way on their bulletin. They then invite the guest to come to receive a blessing after the service is over. Also, handing out blessed bread for those not being able to receive Holy Communion was something that really stood out in my mind. It shows that we wish others to join and receive the true Light. . |
Edited by - calmwaters on 08/23/2006 11:01:31 |
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chrisc
Starting Member
USA
14 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2007 : 23:37:58
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I've been to an OCA church and a Greek Orthodox Church and was warmly welcomed in both. The Priests made arrangements later on to meet with me privately to discuss my inquiry into Orthodox Christianity.
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Anthony
Starting Member
USA
35 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2007 : 08:25:59
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This is a great post topic! Seems like the question "Are you new to Orthodoxy or new to this parish?" might be appropriate. also, a freindly "Good morning" is always welcome. I attend a Greek parish. Have been there over a year. There are some very friendly people and some ones who frown at me still. If some of the freindly ones could talk to the 'old guard' and tell them to relax a little it would benefit any parish emmencely.
Sitting with someone, especially through Orthros (and offering them a prayer book) is great. Having the priest recommend any or all the events for the upcoming week goes a long way to legitamising an activity. Visitors will come to those more often if the preist does this.
Respectfully,
Anthony |
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Emanuel
Junior Member
USA
338 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2007 : 22:39:37
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| On Pascha we had several newcomers, people I had never seen before, including a black couple at Midnight Resurrection Liturgy who I went out of my way to welcome, to say "Christ is Risen!" (the man said, "He sure is!", enthusiastically) and told him that they were always welcome and to please come back. As choirmaster and chanter I think they also appreciated the fact that I and my choir sang much of the service in English. After all, are we going to act as the Church or think that Orthodoxy is just for people of certain ethnic backgrounds only???? |
Edited by - Emanuel on 04/11/2007 22:42:41 |
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Emanuel
Junior Member
USA
338 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2007 : 22:51:21
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quote:
Originally posted by MarkB
By the way, the parish we attended is Greek Orthodox:
http://www.annunciationgoc.org/
MarkB, please do me a BIG BIG favor. Please tell Fr. Michael Pastrikos hello for me! I tried to email him a few months ago but I don't think he got it. I have known him since his days at St. Constantine and Helen in Mansfield, OH back in the early 1980's, and his former parish before coming to you (St. Haralambos, Canton, OH) was the parish I grew up in. He and I are old friends! Please give him a message for me: tell him that I have decided to pursue the Holy Diaconate. Just mention my first name and that I am the choir director from the Massillon, OH St. George parish. He will know immediately who you are referring to. Thanks!!! |
Edited by - Emanuel on 04/11/2007 22:54:13 |
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Borislav
Starting Member
USA
29 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2007 : 21:01:02
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If the people at our Orthodox Parishes were doing what they are supposed to be, that is praying, they would not have the time to go telling others that they are dressed improperly.
I can not stand it when that happens, although I am all for dressing appropriately for Church, but when some one says something mean spirited it is hard for me to restrain myself.
I've seen people chased out of Orthodox Churches by the Baba squads, its not a pretty site, and many of those chased away never come back.
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macacic
Moderator
USA
1968 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2007 : 22:00:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Borislav
...but when some one says something mean spirited it is hard for me to restrain myself.
You don't want to lower yourself to their level, of course.
Maybe we should try asking "Would it have been better if I hadn't bothered to come at all?"
If they say "Yes", tell them that you are going to ask the priest if that is correct and make sure they know you are going to tell him what they said to you. Perhaps the fear they will feel will give them a foreshadowing of standing before the Judgment! It may do them a lot of good. |
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George
Junior Member
USA
446 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2007 : 13:44:40
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| Borislav, hi from your fellow Ukrainian! --George |
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Borislav
Starting Member
USA
29 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2007 : 14:22:54
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Hello,
Duzhe Pryemno George!
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George
Junior Member
USA
446 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2007 : 15:15:13
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I meni duzhe pryjemno z Vamy zustritysya, pane Borislave.
Moja elektronna adresa gpinchuk@muw.edu, zavzhdy budu radyj obminyatysya lystamy.
--Heorhij |
Edited by - George on 08/05/2007 15:15:44 |
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Borislav
Starting Member
USA
29 Posts |
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Ioana
Starting Member
5 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2010 : 21:08:44
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In addition to the things mentioned so far, we also have a visitor's card ready to ask the visitor to fill out. Then we take it to the priest who welcomes the visitor by name at the end of the liturgy before we leave.
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. |
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How welcome do guests feel in Orthodox Churches
