Which Orthodox church to join

[Hyegirl]

I know the Eastern Orthodox are not in communion with the Oriental Orthodox, but if you were/wanted to be Orthodox, but the Armenian Church was not an option, would you join the Coptic, Greek, or Antiochian church, or Orthodox Church of America?

[Mos]

Re: Which Orthodox church to join

How can Armenian Church not be an option? The only true church is the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church!

[Hyegirl]

Re: Which Orthodox church to join

How can Armenian Church not be an option?

Language for now, drive time, working two jobs during the week and having a mid-day Sunday study group for a class I need to pass for a job. It's for the future. I know there are a couple of Armenians at the local Coptic church and the local Greek church. I have not been to any others yet.

The only true church is the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church!

Oh, is that why it is in communion with the Coptic, Syriac, Indian Malankara, and Ethiopian Orthodox churches?

[Sip]

Re: Which Orthodox church to join

There can only be one True path. You must choose wisely.

Just the fact that there are so many random churches around should tell you something about them all

[Hyegirl]

Re: Which Orthodox church to join

Random? I have hardly set foot in a Protestant/non-denom church in a couple of years.

[Mos]

Re: Which Orthodox church to join

Oh, is that why it is in communion with the Coptic, Syriac, Indian Malankara, and Ethiopian Orthodox churches?

What does that matter? Our church in fact is rather independent in nature. We have very little to none interaction with those churches.

[Hyegirl]

Re: Which Orthodox church to join

Interesting note about the independence of the Armenian church. The pics don't add much (though they are quite lovely naturally). I have already seen a lot of them online from when I first went to an Armenian Orthodox church a year and a half ago, before an injury, the reassignment of the deacon I was talking with, an almost complete change in my schedule, and a more strongly realized career need to learn another language than Armenian (or any of my other fav languages).

[yerazhishda]

Re: Which Orthodox church to join

Interesting note about the independence of the Armenian church. The pics don't add much (though they are quite lovely naturally). I have already seen a lot of them online from when I first went to an Armenian Orthodox church a year and a half ago, before an injury, the reassignment of the deacon I was talking with, an almost complete change in my schedule, and a more strongly realized career need to learn another language than Armenian (or any of my other fav languages).

In the Holy Writ there is something about "giving up everything you have for the pearl of great price". The Armenian Church is that great pearl. I would suggest you go to an Armenian Orthodox Church, I don't understand how there is even another option. It is the greatest institution on the face of the earth. You can follow along with the English translation in the liturgy books until you can fit in the time (are you SURE you don't have 30 minutes per day?) to learn Armenian. Plus you will learn a lot of language just by listening every week.

How can you choose to give up Grigor Narekatsi, Nersess of Lambron, and Nersess Shnorhali? We have such a treasure in our own church. Narekatsi's "Book of Lamentations" is such an expression of Armenian Christianity and is basically inexhaustible in content.

You shouldn't view the Armenian Church as an obstacle to overcome. Heck, even many people from the OCA (American Orthodox which is a jurisdiction of its own, born out of the Russian tradition) find that understanding Orthodoxy and the Liturgy as taken them 5 or more years...

I would strongly argue against joining Coptic/Syriac church, based on the fact that although sometimes they might do their liturgies in English, there is a lot of cultural baggage that comes along with these churches which as an American-born person, you will probably not understand. It is a different world-view, where as 9 times out of 10 the Armenian Church usually bridges that gap for Americans. Even if you happen to stumble upon a more "foreign" Armenian church, at least you will be learning YOUR culture! Also, Antiochian church is not in communion with us, they are in communion with the Greeks.

[jgk3]

Re: Which Orthodox church to join

I'd check em all out, I'd probably learn something interesting

[Hyegirl]

Re: Which Orthodox church to join

I'd check em all out, I'd probably learn something interesting

Huh. I forgot about this thread. I'm going to check out others, but my chrismation will be Armenian, and is coming up soon. My Armenian is still bad, but I visited one with an American-born priest when I stayed at a friend's place for an event.