July 20th
4:00 AM
13 notes
Reblog
A message from Anonymous
I'm an 18 year old girl, I live in Los Angeles and I've been interested in Orthodoxy for a while but the closest church is a Greek Orthodox one and I'm Hispanic. I don't know how they'll feel if I walk in there and I'm not Greek haha. I'm open to converting. What should I do? Look for a different church?

Hola dear friend! :)

Your nationality is not important if you want to convert to Orthodoxy. I mean, yes, all Orthodox Christians are proud for our heritage, it is a very important part of us, no matter if we are American, Greek, Serbian, Russian etc, but it is important to say that the Church is not an ethnic or national body. It is open to people of all nationalities and backgrounds! That’s why you’ll see Orthodoxy not only in Europe and America, but also in China, in Africa, in Italy, in Spain, in Korea, everywhere! :)

If you decide to attain the services in this specific Greek Orthodox parish, you’ll see how hospitable the Greeks are! But okay, not only the Greeks but all the Orthodox are hospitable. So don’t be afraid! In my opinion, you should visit the parish. If it feels right for you, stay there. If not, search for another parish that the services are entirely in English, like in an OCA or in Antiochian Orthodox parish. It is up to you what you will choose, after all we are all Orthodox, united in Christ, no matter of our language!

If you need anything just let me know! :)

Muchos saludos desde Grecia! (Many greetings from Greece!)

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hospitals-and-scars said: To the anon; I am Greek Orthodox and we have Africans, Asians, Arabians, German, etc in our church :) The ethnicity rarely matters :)

lessonsaboutbeingpatrick said: Some OCA Churches in the greater LA area also use some Spanish in the Liturgy if that would also be an interest! But yes most parishes in the US are convert friendly but it may take a few services for people to notice you’re interested!

tengo-sed said: Ah! i’m hispanic as well! and i go to a greek orthodox church and i love it! :) the greeks and hispanics are so similar in hospitality. it doesn’t matter! go! :)

kkatyaa said: you should definitely check out St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral in LA. I’ve been there a few times and it is just a wonderful parish. I know they do spanish services as well.

kermieandme said: The Antiochian St. Nicholas Cathedral in Los Angeles has a Spanish Liturgy in the mornings in the chapel! There is then a (mostly English, I believe) Liturgy at the main altar after that. You would be quite welcome at either!

#Orthodoxy      #Christianity      #Christian      #ask     
  1. kermieandme said: The Antiochian St. Nicholas Cathedral in Los Angeles has a Spanish Liturgy in the mornings in the chapel! There is then a (mostly English, I believe) Liturgy at the main altar after that. You would be quite welcome at either!
  2. kkatyaa said: you should definitely check out St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral in LA. I’ve been there a few times and it is just a wonderful parish. I know they do spanish services as well.
  3. bahhoui said: Ah! i’m hispanic as well! and i go to a greek orthodox church and i love it! :) the greeks and hispanics are so similar in hospitality. it doesn’t matter! go! :)
  4. theorthodoxgingerbeard said: Some OCA Churches in the greater LA area also use some Spanish in the Liturgy if that would also be an interest! But yes most parishes in the US are convert friendly but it may take a few services for people to notice you’re interested!
  5. simplyorthodox posted this