Hello, I've been Orthodox for about 10 years. I was baptized Greek Orthodox, though I'm not Greek. One thing that's been hard about going to an Orthodox Church is that if you're not Greek, or Russian, etc. parishioners remind you that you're an outsider-- an xeno. Not with words, but with actions. So I am still Orthodox, I love the faith, but I don't attend Church anymore. Do you have any advice or thoughts about this? Thank you, God Bless, and Christ is Risen! :)
Hello my dear, Christ is Risen!
Unfortunatelly, though in my country I haven’t notice this problem, but exactly the opposite -everyone is very open and friendly to Orthodox Christians from other countries, I have heard quite many incidents like this from my online friends that live in America. But it’s not the rule, really. The majority of us are really hospitable and welcoming. For example, if I was not in Greece right now but there with you, I’d definatelly try to help you with everything, to feel like home in the Holy Orthodox Church. Now, if there are specific people attached only to ethnicity who don’t see others as Orthodox brothers but categorize them as Greeks or not Greeks, well they are not real Orthodox Christians in my opinion. The beauty of Orthodoxy is the fact that you can call brothers in Christ people from other countries and cultures, with a different way of life and heritage but sharing the same Orthodox faith. To feel like brothers and sisters with people that are totally different than you, Greeks, Russians, Americans, Serbians, Koreans, Japaneese, African, Danish and other, but they worship the same God as you, in the same way you do, with the same way that worshipped Him Orthodox Christians many centuries ago - past, present and future is unified!! How cool is that? :)
You can also try to visit another parish in your area if you don’t feel very well in the one you attend now, maybe my American Orthodox followers can help me with this one? Here is a list with all the Orthodox parishes in America, you may find another one. But, please, don’t stop attending the Divine Litugry and other Orthodox services. Don’t stop visiting the house of God, simply because some people may seem unwelcoming: He’s the one who matters, He’s your Saviour and for Him you go to the Church, not for people. So please forgive all of us the weak sinners that aren’t so kind to you, and keep coming to the Church, for Jesus Christ, not for us!
God bless you! Christ is Risen!
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head-d0wn-eyes-up said: If you live in orange county in southern california, St. Paul’s in Irvine is a very welcoming church to non-greek parishioners. Most of the liturgy is said in English with some hymns an
lavidalocaentejas said: It happens in many churches, even Catholic, and Protestant churches.
antonyofva said: I’m a living witness that not all Greek Orthodox are like this, brother/sister! I’m just a white American but my Greek brothers and sisters have taken me in and the full Greek blooded members have been some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. (: praying!
theorthodoxbrit said: People in the Coptic Church face this a lot, I have heard “but you’re not a real copt” a lot before. My advice: Ignore them. Being a Christian requires loving those who mock you, so just show them love in your faith and they will see their error.
![This is the icon of the apostle; it is the image of the disciple of my Saviour, who saw Him in person, who went with Him, and saw Him work miracles, and heard Him preach, saw Him suffer for the salvation of the world, and rise from the dead and ascend into heaven. This is the icon of the martyr; it is the image of that struggler who withstood even to blood for the honor of my Saviour Jesus Christ, and did not spare even his own holy life for His name, and he established our pious faith as true by pouring forth his own blood; and so on.
This word, the Sacred Scripture which I hear, is the word of God, it is the word of His mouth. The mouth of my Lord spoke this, and through it my God speaks to me, “The law of Thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver” (LXX-Ps. 118:72 [KJV-Ps. 119:72]). O Lord, grant me ears to hear Thy holy word.
- From St. Tikon of Zadonsk “Journey to Heaven”
☦Please beloved St. Thomas pray for us!!! ☦](http://24.media.tumblr.com/4d95053b55d82b4137b92e013bdfb379/tumblr_mmp61qB4gI1qmvtcro1_500.jpg)
