/christian/ - Christian Discussion and Fellowship

God will zap your dick if you don't decide already.

>>565185

Stand in the back at first. Let people approach you instead if you are anxious. Some of those people will be just like us here, so no need to get nervous. We are all here to help each other out.

Think of this as a test from God. Actually some prophets had always this stuff

>but iI stutter when I talk!

>but I'm too young!

And the priest can look intimidating but he isn't. Actually, priest are the most kind people I have ever interacted with. Granted, never met any orthodox priest, only roman catholics, but I bet they are the same.

>>565185

I forgot to add that you can email the priest to set up an interview or at least have some dialog before meeting. Being familiar with each other before meeting can help reduce the apprehension. I actually did this and it helped a lot.

>>565185

Don't worry about "sticking out" or anything. Just sit in the narthex if you're uncomfortable and watch. When the priest gives the blessing, go up and ask if you can talk with him afterwards.

Or do what >>565197 suggests and email the priest first and arrange a meeting. I hope you continue to pursue the Orthodox Church!

>Begome

>>565193

I can confirm for you that they are very kind people

Just bee urself. No seriously, stop being a lazy sodomite (like me, no homo, though), go for it!

>>565188 (checked)

So. It is written.

Churches often get visitors, it's not unusual. It might take going a few times, but once people start seeing you again and again, especially if you're making an effort to participate, they'll appreciate your presence greatly. And a priest certainly will appreciate you expressing you want to convert even if the congregation doesn't warm up to you (which is highly unlikely anyways unless it's an ethnic church with zero diversity). You have to make your desire to convert truly known though, so do try as best you can to stick your neck out. If you look like you want to BEGOME, people will respond in kind.

Just barging myself in was how I got myself rooted in Catholicism. It took going a number of times before more than a couple people noticed I even existed, and talking to the priest some in private, but it eventually paid off. I went on a holy day of obligation that apparently was exceptional for a non-Catholic, which caught the priest's eye, and he introduced me to the congregation. Then I was swarmed with people after Mass greeting me, asking if I wanted a ride to go with them to church the next week, and so on. Basically the turning point is when people started noticing I wasn't just a visitor, so I suggest you try your best to appear as more than just a visitor yourself.

Anybody have any good spaghetti stories?

>>565185

>tfw too shy to pray

>>565636

Spaghetti is the cross I bear, when I was doing the RCIA/getting confirmed at the church in >>565610 I had the following problem

>Anon its a tradition that you choose a confirmation name.

>So Just pick a saint who inspires you

>Still kind of shy, mumble/stutter out Martin of Tours

>Oh Maturinus, are you sure you want that one?

>Too shy to contradict him and prolong the ordeal so I just say yes.

And thats how my confirmation saint is the Patron of clowns who is invoked for dealing with infertility instead of the kickass Martin of Tours. Still unsure about whether he did this deliberately

Learn to ignore your fears and walk forward.

>>565675

Nice stories. Ill share one i just remembered:

Its common practice to go and venerate the icon upon entering/exiting the church, and theres a little box for money. So, the first time i decided to ask my priest for a conversation, we enter the church and he says Go to the icon. I just blurt out I don't have money in a serious way. He just kinda rolled with it and i figured it oit later…

>>565670

>tfw too shameful after sinning to pray

I don't know why I'm like this, since not praying lead you to even more sins… I feel like a traitor everytime, especially when I swear to Him I'll overcome fapping but then I ultimately fail

>>575188

You should be fearful of coughing Jesus all over the place.

>>565675

> Grew up Catholic

> Join Anglican church

> Present for communion

> left over right, as taught

> "Right Hand!" from the priest

>>575383

True Struggle

>>565636

On my third visit to the local Orthodox church, I started thinking deeply about the sermon (about the Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25–37), so much so that when the priest said hello to me and welcomed me back I simply stared at him for a solid minute. He surely thinks I weird, but he seems to like me.