Can a non-orthodox (like me) go to their church(es)? Just to
pray or prayer's moments?
I think that the answers is "yes" (actually, I did it last saturday in the afternoon :)...but is right to do this or not? I have to pray "at my churches" only cause we haven't the same faith at all?
Thanks for every comment...
And sorry for the idiot question!!
:)
Bye bye!
Xyz
2007-03-14 07:25:40 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thanks, Judah, i know that i can pray everywhere, but my question was in fact another: if i enter in an orthodox temple so often, although i'm (roman) catholic (for example) and they know it.... I can be considered an "intruse"?
Can any christian pray in every church?
2007-03-14 07:40:03 · update #1
Anyway i had no problem at all!
In fact, the local "priest" (pope?) was glad for my visit!
2007-03-14 07:45:49 · update #2
You are absolutely welcome to attend an Orthodox church, light a candle, chant, venerate icons and even receive the blessed bread at the end of the Divine Liturgy. Unfortunately, you cannot partake of Holy Communion for reasons given below:
"For Orthodox Christians, the Eucharist is a visible sign of unity; to receive the Eucharist in a community to which one does not belong is improper. If one does not accept all that the Church believes and teaches and worships, one cannot make a visible sign of unity with it. The Eucharist is the result of unity, notthe means by which unity is achieved. While many non-Orthodox see this as a sign that the Orthodox Church excludes non-Orthodox from the Eucharist, in reality the opposite is true. Because a non-Orthodox individual has chosen not to embrace all that Orthodox Christianity holds, the non-Orthodox individual makes it impossible for an Orthodox priest to offer him or her communion. It is not so much a matter of Orthodoxy excluding non-Orthodox as it is the non-Orthodox making it impossible for the Orthodox to offer the Eucharist. "
2007-03-14 15:32:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not an idiot ok NOT an idiot, let no one tell you that.
You do not have to pray in a church, consider this passage.
Mat 6:5 "And now about prayer. When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I assure you, that is all the reward they will ever get.
Mat 6:6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.
2007-03-14 07:31:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
some Orthodox jurisdictions will hesitate about letting a Catholic into the nave of the church. A friend of mine was interrogated before allowed into a church building of the HOCNA sect, and even then she wasn't allowed in during their prayers. But HOCNA is a small group.
2007-03-14 08:01:43 · answer #3 · answered by a 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am an orthodox christian...visitors are always welcome...in larger churches people dont always know who is a visitor...there are many ethnic churches that speak english and many english speaking churches.with many converts.
I don't know what your denomination is but orthodox means old...stemming from original church...A legitimate orthodox church...such as the Orthodox Church of America...never refuses entrance into a church.
2007-03-14 07:43:17 · answer #4 · answered by ted 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was raised Orthodox, but my father's side of the family was from another Christian faith. The parish and the pastor always welcomed them.
2007-03-14 07:33:33 · answer #5 · answered by Let Me Think 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm an Evangelical Christian, which is about as "orthodox" as you'll find in the U.S.
Our churches are open to all. There are no special requirements, but do dress conservatively. If you wish to partake of communion, you must be a believer. That's about it.
2007-03-14 07:32:05 · answer #6 · answered by Suzanne: YPA 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I believe that any temple (and churches likewise) are either built on special ground that has a greater energy flow than other, or are obsolete. So, if you are a believer (in any way), it couldn't be bad for you or anyone else if you visit any church. That's how I always felt it...
2007-03-14 07:32:19 · answer #7 · answered by Uros I 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
that is completely perfectly fine. I'm sure God enjoys seeing your face.
Blessed Be, and I would never think this isa n idiotic question. I hope your prayers get answered
2007-03-14 07:29:49 · answer #8 · answered by danksprite420 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should be able to pray in any church
2007-03-14 07:29:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can pray to God any where and if any one tells you you are not welcome in their building they do not know God.
2007-03-14 07:40:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋