Why Should I Convert To Greek Orthodox?

Question

I am a Baptist Christian. However, I am looking towards converting to Greek Orthodox because I find their traditions beautiful. They seem to be a cross between Protestantism and Catholicism.

What are some reasons why Greek or even Eastern Orthodoxy is a better choice than Protestant and even Catholic denominations? Specific examples, please.

By the way, I asked a similar question previously: "How do I convert to Greek Orthodox?" That was a generic question and now, I am specifically looking for reasons why the Orthodox Church would be a good choice.

I like it because of their beautiful chants and songs, their churches and mainly their beliefs. Their interpretation of the Bible and other things Christians kind of match with my own. But I still want feedback because I am not experienced with the religion at all.

By the way, I asked a similar question previously: "How do I convert to Greek Orthodox?" That was a generic question and now, I am specifically looking for reasons why the Orthodox Church would be a good choice.

I like it because of their beautiful chants and songs, their churches and mainly their beliefs. Their interpretation of the Bible and other things Christian kind of match with my own. But I still want feedback because I am not experienced with the religion at all.

Answer 1

I converted to the Greek Orthodox church from a protestant church. It's been the best decision I've made. I believe that the Orthodox church, not just the Greek Orthodox church gives you the most direct path to God. You will find that it is very understanding to the weaknesses of man.
Our teachings have been set up and unchanged from the last Ecumenical council hundreds of years ago. The challenges people faced then are really the same as what we face now.
Sometimes the church is very ethnic but once you see through that you can participate in the treasure of Christianity.

Answer 2

I am an atheist, but I was a Greek Catholic.

For starters, there is no practical difference between Catholicism and Orthodoxy. Roman rite Catholicism does outwardly look different, but the content is the same. Orthodoxy is very much not a cross between Protestantism and Catholicism.

The whole purpose of Orthodoxy is to proclaim the word of Jesus as it was originally proclaimed. The original hearers were middle eastern peasants who lived a very symbolic and mythic life. All of that early symbolism is still alive and well in Orthodoxy.

Orthodoxy is not superior to Catholicism in any respect, save one. There is a strong emphasis on the apostolic and other early Fathers. It is a Christianity largely unchanged from the beginning of Christianity. Unlike Roman Catholicism it does not seek to understand the mysteries, it just accepts them.

I cannot speak about the Copts or the Thomas Christians, but about the Eastern Orthodox, Maronites and Roman Catholics I might be able to provide a framework.

Greek Catholics and Eastern Orthodox are the singers to God. The Maronites are God's poets and the Romans are God's teachers. The entire reason preaching is important in Protestantism is this very Roman focus on the pedagogic part of belief. Protestants just took it to the extreme.

I am an athiest, but if I were Christian I would not even begin to consider Protestantism. It is a break in the historical belief system given by the apostles and handed down. That is the reason there are 42,000 Protestant denominations. They are no longer anchored to the original Christians.

Orthodox and Catholic, for that matter, traditions are beautiful because they are 2000 years old almost and stretch back to the beginning as it was originally proclaimed.

Roman rite Catholics' service was written by Peter. The Greek Catholic and Greek Orthodox service was written by James. The Coptic service was written by Mark and the Thomas Christians use the services left by Thomas. They have been shrunk down by all the groups, but they haven't changed materially in 2000 years. When the Novus Ordo was published for Roman Catholics, it was actually a restoration and excising. It further restored certain services that had all but disappeared and put them back into the mainstream.

Answer 3

I am speaking from the perspective of someone who has changed religions.

If you are finding the traditions and practices of the Greek/Eastern Orthodox Church (there is no real difference other than language) speak to YOUR heart and soul more than your current denomination, by all means explore it. Be aware that although the Orthodox Churches are the second largest single Christian denomination worldwide, they are a LOT harder to find in most communities in the US than the denomination you are currently a part of, so it may be difficult to find a support network if you are not in a major urban area.

I would advise you to research the beliefs thoroughly before making any farther steps. You can try this website http://www.goarch.org for additional information on the beliefs of the Orthodox and also for locations of churches near you.

Answer 4

First, "Greek Orthodoxy" is just one of many jurisdictions that is part of "Eastern Orthodoxy". That is, all Greek Orthodox are Eastern Orthodox, although not all Eastern Orthodox are Greek Orthodox. But all are Orthodox, of one Church (with a few grumpy Old Calendarists running around playing "Orthodoxer than thou" at all of the rest of us). If you want information regarding Orthodoxy, I suggest the website http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/inquirers/ and try the specific pages http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/inquirers/inq_evangelicals.aspx and http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/inquirers/inq_allprots.aspx

I also have to say that the "ethnic" component can vary greatly from parish to parish in the USA. I, for one, was not given a "Greek name" when I converted. I did adopt a Saint as my patron, but he was an Irish saint (Fiacc). There is no Orthodox doctrine requiring that one must have a Greek, Russian, or other specific ethnicity of name or patron. Likewise, I never felt any real pressure to "become Greek", nor was I left out for not being Greek in the first place. As I said, the ethnic component varies from parish to parish.

Answer 5

Since i am born into the Greek Orthodox religion it is more stricter to become Greek Orthodox first you have to be baptize in the Church and the priest will give you a Greek name your first name will be change the religion is similar to the Russian Orthodox and it a very strict religion to me it is a better choice also i am Greek and born into Greek Orthodox in America the religion is less strict in Greece it is more strict in Greece to be buried in Greece to have a blessing from the priest you must marry in the Church and be baptize also be a Greek Orthodox and must die by natural causes if you commit suicide you are bury outside the graves alone when a priest dies he is buried in standing position read more about the religion and then decide but this is my religion and i accepts the ways

Answer 6

I understand what you're saying, but you need to at least invest time in studying church history before taking the jump from Baptist to Eastern Orthodox. Do you even know how there came to be a Roman Catholic church and a Greek Orthodox church? Please show some respect to yourself, to your Baptist roots and your future possible beliefs. Be respectful and study some history first. If you need some help write me.

Answer 7

1)The Catholic and Orthodox churches differ with the Pope as head of all churches and the bishops and synodic councels as the decision makers of the Orthodox church.
2)differences in the Nicene creed about the phrase, "and the Holy Spirit the Lord the giver of life who proceeds from the Father.."
3)The Catholic church believes that Mary was born sinless but the Orthodox church believes that she was born of original sin and was capable of sin. But, Christ was concieved by the Holy Spirit and that makes him sinless.
4)Traditions of the Orthodox remained binding to the apostalic tradition but the Catholic church moved toward change.
5)Orthodox priests can marry, Catholic priest cannot.
6)the belief of purgatory by the Catholics and going to a level of actual heaven or hell by the Orthodox's until the second coming of Christ
7)The Holy Eucarist is not recieved by Catholic children until their first communion where Orthodox babies can take it when they are babtized

There are other minor differences also but you can probably ask a priest to answer them for you.

Answer 8

I am Greek... Greek Orthodoxy doesn't have pope. They don't believe that the highest - ranked priest, the archbishop of Greece or the patriarch of Constantinople (Istanbul) is infallible like Catholics believe (I think)... This is the main difference. But there aren't a lot of differences with Catholicism. In fact they were separated mostly for political reasons and they differ in traditions and their saints

Answer 9

the catholic church and orthodox are very similar.. in the sense the use of the images.. and we follow the same creed.. the differences are in the doctrines about the Pope, and the rites.. as a catholic, I consider the orthodox churches part of the catholicism.. because we are similar... the Roman catholic we follow the Pope.. the orthodox churches are independece.. if you want to be orthodox or roman catholic.. it's Ok.. we are part of the truth

Answer 10

If you ask me, you are making a good choice. And I'm not even Orthodox.

However...(and this was unfortunately a deal-breaker for me) - the Orthodox TEND to be very ethnic....if you are not Russian, you will never be fully accepted by Russian Orthodoxy. Same goes for Greek, Ukrainian, Antiochian, etc.

Your experience may vary...and I pray that it does.