You have quite a story. In your telling of it we can also get some glimpses into the history of the church here in America and understand it better. In symbolic language perhaps we can say that the tradition gives meaning to the history and history gives body to the tradition. Thank you for writing this.
Hi Taidhg, thank you for your heartfelt response. I’m from a very different background from you, so I’m hesitant to say too much in response. Just because I have a little experience scaling the north slope of a mountain doesn’t mean I have anything helpful to say to someone approaching the southern slope where the terrain is its own. One thing you say really doesn’t make sense to me though: that you’re in your early twenties and you’re running out of time. If you’re in your early twenties, how could you possibly be running out of time? It’s not like the Holy Spirit is leaving on a train and if you don’t catch it He won’t be present in your life anymore. Make the best decisions that you can as they come, and God will bless you. Be grateful for your family and do what you can to protect and provide for them. You are very fortunate in this regard. If you’re interested in the Orthodox Church and your wife is not antagonistic? That’s brilliant! And if she came to be disinterested? Well that can definitely be a hardship, but you would only have that in common with, like, every other married guy I meet on the internet. Lots of other guys are in this position; it’s like a generational phenomenon. You would have tons of support. So there’s no cause to fear going to the Divine Liturgy; that’s the normal way to test out the Church. But it’s not a matter of “supposed to”; go if you desire to. Any parish of any kind, moreover, that doesn’t like the sound of crying children hates life and will die within a generation. That’s another thing not to worry about.
Have faith. Even if you were strongly interested in Orthodoxy but felt that under the constraints of your situation, the best move for your family would be to return to your hometown, God could have a special reason for arranging things this way. “All is lost” is basically never the result of any decision made in one’s early twenties, I assure you. Give God’s redemptive powers a little credit. If you’re to be a Christian, that means you’re on a journey. Be excited! Be grateful! But like I said, I’m not familiar with your terrain over there; take my words critically and please forgive me if I’ve got something wrong.
Two things that I promise: I will pray for you, and I will mispronounce your name while doing so. Please pray for me, a sinner.
Thank you, Katie, your words are very kind. I'm sorry to hear of your "ruin", but it seems you are in a great place now with a loving husband; I'm very happy for you. Glory be to God.
Your faith, humility, and spiritual fortitude are an inspiration, Cormac. Thank you for sharing your story.
You have quite a story. In your telling of it we can also get some glimpses into the history of the church here in America and understand it better. In symbolic language perhaps we can say that the tradition gives meaning to the history and history gives body to the tradition. Thank you for writing this.
No doubt an immensely helpful story for one about to be received into the Church, all awkward and dreamy naivete. Deepest thanks for telling it.
Hi Taidhg, thank you for your heartfelt response. I’m from a very different background from you, so I’m hesitant to say too much in response. Just because I have a little experience scaling the north slope of a mountain doesn’t mean I have anything helpful to say to someone approaching the southern slope where the terrain is its own. One thing you say really doesn’t make sense to me though: that you’re in your early twenties and you’re running out of time. If you’re in your early twenties, how could you possibly be running out of time? It’s not like the Holy Spirit is leaving on a train and if you don’t catch it He won’t be present in your life anymore. Make the best decisions that you can as they come, and God will bless you. Be grateful for your family and do what you can to protect and provide for them. You are very fortunate in this regard. If you’re interested in the Orthodox Church and your wife is not antagonistic? That’s brilliant! And if she came to be disinterested? Well that can definitely be a hardship, but you would only have that in common with, like, every other married guy I meet on the internet. Lots of other guys are in this position; it’s like a generational phenomenon. You would have tons of support. So there’s no cause to fear going to the Divine Liturgy; that’s the normal way to test out the Church. But it’s not a matter of “supposed to”; go if you desire to. Any parish of any kind, moreover, that doesn’t like the sound of crying children hates life and will die within a generation. That’s another thing not to worry about.
Have faith. Even if you were strongly interested in Orthodoxy but felt that under the constraints of your situation, the best move for your family would be to return to your hometown, God could have a special reason for arranging things this way. “All is lost” is basically never the result of any decision made in one’s early twenties, I assure you. Give God’s redemptive powers a little credit. If you’re to be a Christian, that means you’re on a journey. Be excited! Be grateful! But like I said, I’m not familiar with your terrain over there; take my words critically and please forgive me if I’ve got something wrong.
Two things that I promise: I will pray for you, and I will mispronounce your name while doing so. Please pray for me, a sinner.
Thank you, Katie, your words are very kind. I'm sorry to hear of your "ruin", but it seems you are in a great place now with a loving husband; I'm very happy for you. Glory be to God.