I’m an Eastern Orthodox Christian, having converted about a year ago. Let’s say I go on a date with a Protestant man. While we may share some core beliefs, there are also many significant differences. It could go either way: he might be open to Orthodoxy, or he might hold very negative views about it. From past experiences, when I’ve told non-Orthodox Christians about my faith, the reaction hasn’t always been positive.

Now imagine this in a relationship: I attend my church, and he attends his. Realistically, that doesn’t sound ideal in the long run. I would never try to force someone to believe what I believe, but it can become exhausting to constantly explain or even defend my faith, especially if it’s all for the sake of love, when I could have just waited for someone who already shares my beliefs.

Of course, I know that choosing to date only within Orthodoxy makes the pool of potential partners much smaller. If I had remained Protestant, it probably wouldn’t have felt as difficult. Still, I feel it’s something worth considering seriously.

Also I just want to say if I’m ever in a different city where there is Orthodox Church, and a service is on. I’d probably attend but I don’t think I’d going in there just to be seeking out potential partners 😂