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WRT your Chrismation question-Fr. Chris tells me the conversion process typically takes a calendar/liturgical year or so. I'm rather shy about pushing him about it, plus I am enjoying the process of conversion. TTYL, brother. I wish I were as patient with the militant Calvinist types around here as you are. :/ ~hugs~

I just noticed I forgot to wish you Merry Christmas more personally via pm. :/ С днем рождество христова!

Merry Christmas my sweet brother in Christ! Oh what a day it will be, when my Jesus I shall see........ and we walk the vale together!

Merry Christmas my sweet brother in Christ! Oh what a day it will be, when my Jesus I shall see........ and we walk the vale together!

Question for you-I was baptized in a Baptist church in rual Ohio ~1995. Is my baptism valid according to the Orthodox Church? /curious

Is it true that I can ask for a blessing while others are partaking in Eucharist? I heard this somewhere, IDR. Thanks. ~hugs~

Your inbox is full.

I appreciate it, my brother. I do my best to focus my mind where is should be in my scripture reading and prayer. (I really like the beauty and sincerity of Orthodox prayer!)

Thanks for all your help on the forum debates. I hope to be as educated as you are someday.

Greetings! Привет! Had a very enjoyable liturgy today. My ride was on time today, so I got to witness the whole liturgy. Dr Salamy is very interesting. The music and atmosphere uplift me every time. I'm very eager to finish catechumen so I can take communion. Patience is a virtue I'm still developing.

"Tell me something, my friend-what is the Orthodox view of the sacred music J.S. Bach wrote? I attended a performance of the St. Matthew Passion once, and I think it would be inspiring to the Orthodox as well. Just curious because liturgical music, in my experience, is all a cappella, while the Passion is scored for full orchestra and mixed choir. "

God has ordained man to create music, to fill space with the creative spirit of man in musical form!

Most of the liturgical worship (as it was from the beginning) is a capella in imitation of the cries of the prophets and the singing of the angels and the worship of the children of Israel, in chanted word and hymn. But worship can also use musical instruments, as did King David use and the tribe of Israel did and as the Orthodox Church does as well in its daily life of prayer and worship.

Спасибо большой! I will have to watch the whole thing later.I noticed in the second scene there was a fellow intently burning his papers.It reminds me of an old Russian colloquialism-"Manuscripts don't burn".This comes from the life and literature of Mikhail Bulgakov. In the novel "The Master And Margarita, there is a scene where the Master throws his manuscript (a novel about Pontius Pilate and the trial of Yeshua, which becomes a "novel within the novel" as the story unfolds) into a fireplace because he felt it had brought too much trouble into his life. Margarita rescues the manuscript and the Master is later able to finish the novel with Woland's help. In Bulgakov's real life, he did something similar.He once attempted to burn the manuscript of "Master"into a fire,but failed to destroy it.So, the meaning of this proverb/colloquialism is basically "truth cannot be suppressed or destroyed".(if you haven't read Bulgakov, I highly recommend it-and start with "Master") ~hugs~

Tell me something, my friend-what is the Orthodox view of the sacred music J.S. Bach wrote? I attended a performance of the St. Matthew Passion once, and I think it would be inspiring to the Orthodox as well. Just curious because litugical music, in my experience, is all a cappella, while the Passion is scored for full orchestra and mixed choir.

Are all the various orthodox churches in communion with each other? I'm curious because there will be a time eventually when I'm out of town for one reason or another and will want to visiit another church. Thanks! ~hugs~ Hope this isn't too silly a question...I have a lot to learn. :/

I just got back from liturgy! It was a beautiful service. (I'll write about that on the forums in more detail) Thanks for your prayers. You are in mine as well. ~hugs~

Thank you for your prayers, my friend. I have been praying since last night using prayers from my Orthodox prayer book. I'm not sure if it's appropriate for a "newcomer" like myself, but I cross myself in the Orthodox manner every time. Liturgy starts in an hour. I'm nervous and excited about it.

Thanks. I am attending the liturgy in the morning, and I will write about my experience on the forums. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I have found an Orthodox prayer book which I enjoy btw, and I certainly keep you in my prayers.

My friend, I was just curious what I should wear when I attend an Orthodox church? From the videos of liturgy services at the Antiochian church's site, dress seems to range from rather casual to formal. Thanks! xoxo

This post was beautiful http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?427511-Pope-You-don-t-have-to-believe-in-God-to-get-to-heaven&p=5222091&viewfull=1#post5222091

I hope that I will someday have your way with words when it comes to preaching the Faith. The way you write shows your devotion and love of God :)

PS: Your inbox is full!

Just curious what his answer is...

That said, Sola_Fide is still probably closer to what I believe in than most others here, even if I don't always go quite as far.