Becoming Orthodox

Is becoming Orthodox really as hard as people say?

It is very hard to become Orthodox. It's hard to enter into the life of prayer and fasting, the structure, the regiment, all these things, if you don't want your sins to be revealed.

Do we project our parents onto God?

In every way, Christ was transcendent God and yet intensely interpersonal. He was there connecting with the disciples. He did not hide himself from them. They knew him.

How can you actually know God exists rather than just believing?

If somebody says, "Do you believe in God?" I always feel like that's the dumbest question. What do you mean? God just is. I don't even know how to describe that.

How do I become Orthodox?

I get this question all the time, so I break it down into three easy components. Number one, you come as an inquirer, somebody interested in Orthodoxy.

What should catechumens focus on?

Basically three things. First, prayer: developing a daily prayer rule of morning and evening prayers. Second, fasting: following the church calendar and fasting along with your parish.

What books should a new Orthodox inquirer read?

There are a few go-to books I really recommend. For the historicity, The Orthodox Church by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware is probably the most thorough.

Do I need to be rebaptized when I become Orthodox?

Baptism has historically been defined as the sacrament done by the hands of an Orthodox priest through triple immersion in the Orthodox Church.

What does it actually mean that God is love?

When we say that God is love, we do not mean that God is very loving. We do not mean that God loves us even in the way our parents love us.

What should a new Orthodox convert read first?

When you are new, the emphasis should be 100 percent on reading the Gospels, reading Blessed Theophylact's commentaries on the Gospels, understanding the basics of the Holy Trinity and...

Why did you leave the Protestant church for Orthodoxy?

First, understand: we're not attacking Protestants, who are precious in the sight of God and often well-intentioned.

What advice do you have for Protestants exploring Orthodoxy?

I asked the bishop this question directly, since so many people online are discovering Orthodoxy from a Protestant background, and moving from that ethos to the intensive Orthodox way...

How patient is God with us?

God is patient and long-suffering, not in the way we understand it when we are patient, because we see only a small shadow of God's patience. God's patience is endless.

Do I have to accept everything the Orthodox Church teaches to convert?

Yes, and that was one of the hard claims. The Orthodox Church says, we don't really care what your interpretation is.

What is the hardest part of converting to Orthodoxy?

What are the odds that the church fathers were teaching exactly what the apostles handed on to them? Very high.

What happens if you die outside the Orthodox Church?

If you die outside of the Church, I've said it a million times, that's above my pay grade. What's the consequence of it eternally? I don't know.