From Baptist to Orthodox {Why Did You Become Orthodox?} - John Maddex 

i had the same feeling at my first Traditional Latin Mass (Catholic) which is as old as the Liturgy of St John Chrysostom

@@marcokite That you must preface Latin Mass with "Traditional" speaks to the problem. ;)

I recently found Celtic Christianity which I have found has strong ties to the Orthodox Church all the way back to the desert father's

@@aristotlesfourcauses6323 What a moronic comment.

@@marcokite The TLM is from the mid last millennium. The Orthodox Western Rite Divine Liturgies are from first millennium. Please come home. ☦

You owe 3, 4x more to God than other converts. Because you came from a very weird "Christian " denomination through a weird Orthodox Church aka "Arabic". Consider the even cradle Orthodox when they can hear Arabic, they think only of Muslims and terrorism. 1 Convert to Orthodoxy stands for 1000 born Orthodox.

So glad you found your way home from Arianism. +

I also come from a Jehovah's Witness background! Currently hoping to start catechism soon

I’m happy to see you made the best of their lack of hospitality. As an Orthodox convert, I’m grateful I was more warmly welcomed. I was in a period of my life where I didn’t have much resiliency against people’s indifference. Many people seeking Christ are really quite broken

My first experience in an Orthodox Church was in Russia. The service was in Old Church Slavonic!

@@oppressedaussiebattler3561 thank you for your encouragement, my friend. Christ be with you. ☦️

@@IAMFISH92 When I always see you brother battling for the truth and trying your hardest for the true faith how can I as a brother of yours not encourage you. I know you will do just fine as you have done leading to where you are now . Glory to God Christ be with you too ☦️

All is going in Gods timing+ Demons attack the TRUTH as this is what they fear/ we don’t judge the people but must resist in the temptations whatever they may be -+ pray and keep them in your prayers , fall , get up again and again+ Let all Glory be to God+++

Hy, I don't want to give advice from books, this would be easy. But eventough is hard, love in Christ is the only that can cover, help, develop. And prayer. It's hard, but at the end of it you will not regret it. (And bonus, you might get the ocasion to be humiliated 😄)

A man’s enemies will be members of their own family.

"In your patience possess ye your souls"!

@@ProtectingVeil can you tell me where this quote comes from? I am embarassed not to know.. Thank you. All such stories help me and my husband.. And there are so many wonderful Orthodox comments here..

Luke 21:19

I’m literally the same

I Went From Independent Baptist --> charismatic --> Conservative Non-Denominational --> Greek Orthodox!!

HEBREW MYTHS BECAME REAL? WEEKLY BRAINWASHING MAKES YOU WELL EDUCATED IN YOUR ROLE AS SERVANT FOR CHRISTIAN HUSTLERS? TYPE BIBLE CRITICISM ONLINE AND LEARN THAT THE CLEVER ANCIENT JEWS CREATED JEHOVAH GOD IN 950 BCE, THEN THEY STOLE SATAN FROM THE GREEK MYTH OF HADES, STUPID. YOU ACTUALLY SUFFER FROM CHRISTIAN OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER AND RABID PARANOIA. SEE YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT YOUR INVISIBLE ENEMY SATAN AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOUR DOCTORS SAYS, OK? I AM WAITING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 200,000 RAPED ALTAR BOYS FOUND THE CHRISTIAN CULT A PAIN IN THE ASS.......................

Many years!! 😊🙏❤️☦️

🙏🏻☦

JESUS says the Sabbath is holy. POPE says that Sunday is holy. 7th day Sabbath = (Exodus 20:8-11) 1st day Sunday = (Mark 7:7)

Somebody give @@protestant7778 a cookie!

@@weekendwarrior2959 Proverbs 26 comes to mind.

Serbians unlike Greeks do not have name days. Instead the family celebrates a patriot saint that has been handed down through generations, for example St. Nikola is the most celebrated on the 19th Dec. each year. In the morning you make the bread "pogača" and attend a church service for that saint. They are held throughout the mornings about 20 minute service. The bread gets blessed and a cross is cut into the back of the pogača and drops of wine are placed at the four points of the cross. You go home with the bread and light a candle and enjoy the celebration with family and friends. Usually the head of the house hold should be standing all day until the candle is extinguished by two pieces of pogača.

@@SLVBULL ...❤️🌹yes, "name day", or "imendan", celebrated in Russia, too, and i guess, in some other orthodox religion states,along with the Greece, ...Sveti Nikola,❤️🌹,slava tebi, ...Thank you to mentioning that ,too...my father's family saint protector....❤️🌹

Godspeed! 🙏☦️

But here maybe they live the same but few those whos been teach how really to be saved

​@@antoniohitty8877 or maybe your judgement of who is saved and who isn't is just wrong.

Perfectly said

The Culture Shock is because American Culture is so backwards to Orthodoxy. I am glad I dived in. I only regret not doing it sooner.

Just go. You'll gain everything and loose nothing. Will be a shift in the way you'll understand and see things

I was raised RC, and was chrismated into Orthodoxy in 1974. Never looked back or considered returning to the very unhappy Roman Catholic Church. I pray that some of your better bishops renounce those papist heresies and return to Orthodoxy under the “Western Rite.” Yes, it will be “legal” for Western Rite Orthodox churches to mix some Latin hymns and prayers with English!

Holy Orthodoxy is Christ's Holy Church. 😊

If you are a "proud Catholic" then be sure that actually you are only proud.

I pray the Good Sheppard will find you, put you on His shoulders, and carry you home

A buffet Christian

Matthew, read John 11: 25-26. In those verses you find the key to salvation.

@@SLVBULL, that's an asinine thing for you to have written. If you're a Christian, it's only because of the grace of God. I would think you would have a greater awareness of your own total dependence on God than to make such a comment. It's unloving, to say the least.

The true faith and Church is Eastern Orthodoxy which Jesus established to the apostoles, the other churches don't have apostolic succession nor the power of the Holy Spirit. Let the millions of saints, stories of miracles and beautiful and simple traditions and the Holy Mysteries of the Church strengthen your faith. Don't lose hope, for to keep your faith in this age is to be a martyr. I would recommend you to become a member of the Orthodox Church via triple immersion baptism.. So stay strong my friend! Read about the recent saints like Paisios and Porphyrios for spiritual benefit and relief. The channels ''Orthodox Teaching of the Elders'', ''Gregory Decapolite'', ''Nicodems Hagiorite'' among others will surely be of benefit aswell.

What do you mean by "saved"?

@@TheFeralcatz I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour in response to the Gospel message. He changed my life. I Trust you'll forgive me if I don't go into details

@@noelenliva2670 Judas followed Jesus too.

@@TheFeralcatz Yes Judas physically followed Jesus for 3 years and then he betrayed Jesus and hung himself. Obviously he had not accepted Christ as his Lord and Saviour, otherwise he would not have betrayed him. Judas was not faithful to the end.

@@noelenliva2670 That's the key, you must be faithful to the end. So if it's not the end yet, how are you saved?

Talking about protestants i see

JESUS says the Sabbath is holy. POPE says that Sunday is holy. 7th day Sabbath = (Exodus 20:8-11) 1st day Sunday = (Mark 7:7)

If they are baptized and/or Chrismated Orthodox.

It is not a holy war. The Orthodox Church around the world has condemned Russia's agression.

Patriarch Kirill has NOT condoned the killing of anyone and has repeatedly called for peace and a swift end to the war.

Don’t mix the orthodox way of life because it is not a religion with “Kiril “Russian hegemony or church or any others in case of Russian patriarch he’s controlled by FSB (KGB) because he worked for them before. Your salvation is between you and your priest and people around you and our Lord. And this is our strength one holly priest or monk is more important then 10 patriarch.

Not everyone in the church agrees with Kirill’s identification of Putin. Pope Francis canceled his June meeting with Kirill, which was meant to happen in Lebanon. European human rights activists Willy Fautre and Patricia Duval of Human Rights Without Frontiers have accused Kirill of “inciting aggression and crimes against humanity by his outspoken support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.” They are urging his indictment at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

@@guvnc1 Yes Kiril is blessing tanks and planes to go to war for some time already, of course Bartholomew is controlled by the CIA but at least he’s not blessing thanks and airplanes to kill fellow Christians in the world my church which is the Romanian church has been very critical of Kiril and those that pray for war’s. Putin wants to clean Ukraine from any Ukrainian because they are not Russian this is not first time in 1932 Stalin did the same but not by war but by starvation “ is called HOLODOMOR” Russian don’t want to take any responsibility.

Can you give us some of the bible quotes that influanced you?

@@mitchellsmith4690 I was being smart elek, 😉. I'm actually Eastern Orthodox. But, from what I understand about Wicca, they do acknowledge things that's biblical it seems. I met some pagans, where the ones have always been very personable, so no problem. But to answer your question, woe to those that rape the earth. You're to use the earth as not abusing it. A righteous man regards the life of his beast. Then in the book of Isaiah, it speaks of God's Mountain where the lion will eat straw like the ox and I think says shall lay down with the lamb. Other words no violence or blood. Which before the flood, people did not eat animal meat, only the meat of plants. The Bible also talks how the earth, the living creatures as animals and such hear God's voice. Some can refute the earth, where I question if maybe the earth doesn't have life. Understand like some see everything as God, where there's just natural weather patterns. But, there's where someone, I forget who mentioned something to do with weather, where God was not in any of it. Which does make that distinction. Then consider Balaam's ass (I think same as a donkey), where an angel was blocking the way, Balaam beat him, but then his ass was given the ability to speak to Balaam, where he's like why are you besting me. You usually will not hear these things in churches! But I just recall another verse, where it's forbidden to cut a tree down with a birds nest that has young. There "might" be another verse that states just a birds nest. There's a lot about nature in the Bible, but many are not interested in the whole truth. Yet, it's there. Then Wicca may have witches, but witchcraft is forbidden. Which Simon the Sorcerer, where if I recall, he used his sorcery for evil, maybe scaring people and such. Which some clergy automatically will denounce something completely if it is not culturally or societally is not accepted or if it steps on anyone's toes. Say big money doing construction, destroying birds nests and such. Especially if they give well or affiliated with others that do. Which you might like to look at the first among equals, which used to be the Pope. But it's Bishop Bartholomew, where he does not have status or prestige as I understand it, but of all the Orthodox bishops, he is the first among equals. Which he's been called the Green bishop or something like that. Where he's environmentally conscious. None of this detracts from how we are supposed to regard each other and these things, but it's a fuller picture. Which we're supposed to have regard for each other and care for each other, as well as other things. Which I like the people at my church. I just do not get there as I'd like. Now some folks that are pagan seem like they might have had some bad experiences in life, even darkness, which a person can't help what's been done to them. Which by true doctrine, we should be a light to others, not trying to impose ourselves. So if you ever experience such, know it isn't what's supposed to be. Yet, any number of church folks can be spooked by what's unfamiliar to them, just like anyone else, so it takes people awhile to get used to each other and longer to feel comfortable. As I understand any number delving into witchcraft don't do it for the sake of evil, but as a means to protect themselves. A person can't help if they're insecure and such. Which it the faith, we're supposed to comfort each other and relieve hardships. I mention all this so you do not hold anything against God if those who profess him give you a bad taste. Which I'll say this, referring to the masculine, that's simply language when referring to God, where God is a spirit, who also has feminine traits, as he's a whole spirit. Which if you'd like to see an image of God, look up Galatians chapter 5, around verse 26, the fruits of the spirit. He's actually a real.good God. Kind, merciful, etc. I hope this helps.

@@mitchellsmith4690 I should say this, I've seen things of nature that many Christians would doubt or believe. I mean I've seen creatures act like friends. Which really turns me from eating meat. I've seen plenty of things, where really I would prefer to be one with nature than the world. Then few ever have divine experiences, but I've had enough, where I have to suspect spiritual actions. Which Wicca, just like a church is just a name. I say that as there are many like identity and affiliation with something, which occurs in church. If wiccans get close to God, that's fine. As there's emphasis put on the feminine, but God is a spirit, reference to him in the masculine is simply English, language, that's it. Where God does display feminine traits. Then like do no harm, it might be better said than do unto others as you'd have done unto you. As it has basis, yet the true faith, it is a concept of not causing harm to others, it really really does.

Of course, it does, people often move around a lot in Protestantism and don't stay in one sect or Church. Most Protestants I know don't even listen to teachers that are of their sect exclusively, but from anyone as long as it fits their personal paradigm.

That's the origin of Protestantism: Catholic Church that has killed millions, traded hollyness for money etc. They've become more diluted than the already washed Catholic Church.

Thanks to God!

Glory to God.

Truly HE IS RISEN+++ Let all Glory be to God+++ ICXC NIKA

Welcome home. We've been waiting for you!

JESUS says the Sabbath is holy. POPE says that Sunday is holy. 7th day Sabbath = (Exodus 20:8-11) 1st day Sunday = (Mark 7:7)

@@protestant7778 whatever. Hic non habes potestatum daemon.

Michael Barber 😃Sabbath in the New Testament! JESUS kept the sabbath! 👉(Luke 4:16) The Disciples kept the sabbath! 👉(Luke 23:56) The Gentiles kept the sabbath! 👉(Acts 13:42) Paul kept the sabbath! 👉(Acts 17:2) Hebrews 4:4 = 7th day sabbath! For if JESUS had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. ~ Hebrews 4:8 KJV ☝️Jesus never changed it! There remaineth therefore a rest for the people of God. ~ Hebrews 4:9 ☝️Remaineth = to remain the same! For he that is entered into his His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His. ~ Hebrews 4:10 ☝️ (Gen. 2:2,3) + (Exo. 20:10) = Heb. 4:10 I would like to share one Old Testament scripture with you. 😃We will all keep Sabbath in HEAVEN! 👉(Isaiah 66:23) Peace be with you🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

@@protestant7778 Go ahead and keep the Sabbath rest on Saturday. This doesn't mean you have to worship on Saturday. You can worship on Sunday and celebrate the resurrection and still rest from all your work on Saturday. The two are not mutually exclusive. You seem to not know the difference between resting and worshipping. Why would worship and celebrate the resurrection on the day of rest/burial?

JESUS says the Sabbath is holy. POPE says that Sunday is holy. 7th day Sabbath = (Exodus 20:8-11) 1st day Sunday = (Mark 7:7)

@@protestant7778 ok, good job. Sabbath is the day of rest and the first/eighth day is the day of celebration. Do you think the resurrection is not holy? Do you think Christ's death is more important than his resurrection? The resurrection is the very core Christianity. If Christ was not raised from the dead, the entire Christian faith falls apart and Christians should be pitied more than anyone. It is His resurrection that gives us our confidence that death has been defeated and that we will one day be resurrected with Him. Every Sunday is a mini-Easter.

@@protestant7778 Which brand of Denomination' or so-called' Man-made non-denomination..sect' group version or/movement or Form of Reformned_ Deformed' Protestant'ism is the One True faith. This is a simple answer.. but I'm asking you this Question you have a little more than 18,000 of them Lol' and I'm being Conservative" Lol.'

@@weekendwarrior2959 He's espousing.. or attempting to put forth the embrace of Man-made Chaos' and Division' Fragmentation/Splintering' Confusion" and human/fallible_error-errosion" disagreement and trying to convince you all to believe these So-called' "churches" that are, and (were*) Man-made & founded by Men' and in (some cases groups of men and even Women and Men or-just Women. It's Laughable and Ridiculous." And they will justify it by saying THE BIBLE!" THE BIBLE*

Christian Orthodoxy Denominations will save NOBODY! Stop asking me who's my favorite football & basketball team??? What Gang am I from? I don't watch sports! I read the Bible, stop running behind your denomination! If I have errors, please kindly call me out on it using the BIBLE!!! Let's stick to the BOOK! I don't play "my denomination is better than yours"

I will pray for you. Also, talk with your local Orthodox priest. Do not be discouraged if they are Greek, Russian, Serbian, Romanian, etc. We are all one church.

Fart

That's what I don't understand, people saying the Orthodox churches have continued the doctrines and teachings of the early Church. How so? The earliest Christians met in homes, did not have priests, and Jesus said to call no man on earth "Father" because we have one Father in Heaven. There was a gap of 50 years between those early churches in the NT, and the rise of the Orthodox churches. History is silent between 70 AD and 120 AD, so how did they emerge after that time and be so different?

You can be aligned with the Orthodox Faith, there is no Greek Orthodox Faith. There is only the Orthodox Faith. Greek can be the jurisdiction or the language used for Divine Services only.

indeed you are right(coming from a Greek) but you are just two years late@@ppn194 😎😎

sums up my conversion from being protestant to the Traditional Catholic Church, under the pope but ignoring the Vatican II nonsense. i had the same feeling at my first Traditional Latin Mass (Catholic) which is as old as the Liturgy of St John Chrysostom

@@marcokite You can’t reject V2.

@@marcokite Yeah, this doesn’t work. If you are Catholic you have to fully embrace Vatican 2.

Glory to God! Godspeed 🙏

Xpristos anesti !!

@@louofm1 Alithos Anesti ✝️

God bless you and welcome home to the Orthodox Church.

On steroids and hallucinogenics!

funny comparation but it's not very accurate ...Roman Catholicism came out from orthodox catholicism - not the other way around... Church of Rome was one of the patriarchal sees of One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church ..Rome split and came out a thousand years a go

@aleksandar stavric I agree with you Roman Catholicism is Orthodoxy on steroids, not the other way around. Most Orthodox wish their church had the political power & clout that the Vatican has ( that is, those Orthodox who pay more attention to politics & current events than faith & spirituality ).

Don't be amazed, because we will hear a lot of people whom will come back to Orthodoxy The First and The True Church. Amen.

This was a personal testimony on why he himself became Orthodox. He's not trying to convince anyone to become Orthodox.

JESUS says the Sabbath is holy. POPE says that Sunday is holy. 7th day Sabbath = (Exodus 20:8-11) 1st day Sunday = (Mark 7:7)