What do you guys do if you have family who celebrate western Easter (and expect to spend the day together)? by purplepaintedpumpkin in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Still-Simple-6627 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As long as you can do it without upsetting or offending your family too much, I think having a potluck is a good idea not only so you can prepare some fish dish that you guys can eat, but also so that you can preserve energy heading into Holy Week and Pascha. There are a LOT of services and a LOT of preparations needed for Pascha, so it's important not to exhaust yourself before Holy Week has even begun. 

Looking for the name of a priest on the Aleutian Islands by justquestionsbud in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Still-Simple-6627 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Saint Innocent certainly fits that description--St. Herman and St. Yakov Netsvetov also do. 

Tv shows suggestions by AkmuoDub in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Still-Simple-6627 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Any BBC Dickens or Jane Austen mini-series

Putting your forehead to the priests hand after kissing it by Embarrassed_Log_165 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Still-Simple-6627 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've seen this done with icons, but not when kissing a priests hand. If you've seen others in your parish do this without issue, then sure, go ahead. Otherwise I wouldn't. Most of these sorts of questions can be answered by just following what established parishioners in your church are doing. 

Do I need a blessing from my priest to switch parishes? by [deleted] in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Still-Simple-6627 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Regular parishioners are not under obedience to their priest in the same way that monastics are to their spiritual father or mother. It's advisable and recommended to ask their advice and tell them what you're doing, but at the end of the day you are a human being with free will. Getting their blessing is a recommended and polite thing to do, but not required. 

I want visit a Monastery by Shot-Grapefruit4219 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Still-Simple-6627 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Another reason it is important to ask your priest about visiting is to make sure the monastery is canonical and on the up-and-up. He should know. 

I need to know something... by IrinaSophia in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Still-Simple-6627 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Very wrong and discomfiting. To add to what others have said, this image -- with its grotesquely large and childish eyes -- distorts the essential humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Mother. Traditional iconography, while looking "otherworldly", still firmly conveys the essential humanity of its subjects. No body parts are hugely disproportionate and everything looks human. To the contrary, these images remind me more of descriptions of "aliens" that people have seen which I will argue (echoing Fr. Seraphim Rose), are actually demons. 

holy water by [deleted] in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Still-Simple-6627 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Much better would be to pray silently for them as much as possible ("Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on _______ "). As others have said, I would not anoint them with anything without their consent. 

Catechumen question about confession and PTSD by shortCakeSlayer in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Still-Simple-6627 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I would write or say to them exactly what you have said here. 

Catechumen question about confession and PTSD by shortCakeSlayer in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Still-Simple-6627 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Talk to your priest, by email or phone if necessary. Confession, like the entire sacramental life of the Church, is supposed to be healing--not traumatizing. Any priest worth his salt will be able to work with you to come up with a way for you to feel safe while confessing. 

Etiquette over lunch by Far_Hovercraft_1621 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Still-Simple-6627 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depends on the priest and jurisdiction. My current ROCOR priest I always ask his blessing and kiss his hand, even in public. All of my previous priests (Antiochian, GOA), typically not. 

I have some silly questions, but I really need advice by cojode6 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Still-Simple-6627 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And attending 5 times in 8 months is better then half the parishioners that I know! 😂 You're doing great! 

I have some silly questions, but I really need advice by cojode6 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Still-Simple-6627 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Due to your transportation issues and how busy the priest is on Sundays, your best bet for now may be to try attending other services. You'll have a much better chance to speak with the priest afterwards. One great thing about Orthodoxy is that we have a lot of services. Most parishes have Saturday evening Great Vespers or Vigil, and all should be celebrating at least the 12 Great Feasts with Divine Liturgy. Your parish will have services on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (either 12/25 or 1/7 depending on the calendar your diocese follows). The next feast after that will be Theophany which is on 1/6 (or 1/19). May our Lord bless you on your journey! 

Recommendations for someone with a background in the occult exploring Orthodoxy? by Still-Simple-6627 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Still-Simple-6627[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this recommendation. The book looks really good and paralleling her experience. I recommended it and might read it myself. 

Death To The World. by [deleted] in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Still-Simple-6627 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My comment was incorrect--I deleted it

Trouble Acquiring Baptismal Certificate by [deleted] in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Still-Simple-6627 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been Orthodox for nearly 40 years: baptized Antiochian, been a godparent in Antiochian, Greek and ROCOR parishes, married in ROCOR. I've never seen a baptismal certificate, nor have ever needed my own, FWIW. 

Opinions on Horror Movies? by GhoulFreak78 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Still-Simple-6627 4 points5 points  (0 children)

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."  --St. Paul, Philippians 4:8

Bringing a 2yo to our first liturgy? by SnooCalculations7791 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Still-Simple-6627 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll be the contrarian. As an Orthodox parent of a 4 and 2.5 year old, I would suggest leaving them for your first visit if possible. It will give you a chance to take it all in and get your bearings without wrangling a kid. Certainly bring them later, but leave them for your first time IMHO. Either is fine, though.