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File: 43c1c000d7cee89⋯.jpg (117.89 KB, 600x1224, 25:51, b0f5d16b0bb518381ce4f99d60….jpg)

What to do Christanon 01/21/18 (Sun) 15:10:22 aa3671 No.592110

I've been going to an orthodox for many months now and enjoy it. I've became integrated into the community, speak with the priests every week, attend cathechisms, etc. I felt at home there and grew in Christ. However today I went to a big catholic basilica and I just got struck out of the blue by a crisis of "faith" (denomimation). I saw all the beauty, the huge crowd of people praying, crying, and I just asked myself: why am I not catholic? Surely beauty is a way to God no? I don't know why but I was shaken in my heart and I am not sure that Orthodoxy is actually for me.

Was it just a e s t h e t i c? Or a message from God? Can I ever be catholic and not believe in the infaillibility of the pope? What about purgatory and shit? Help a brother, I feel lost. I would also feel like I am betraying my orthodox community which I grew close to

Christanon 01/21/18 (Sun) 15:15:52 d05707 No.592112

It was just aesthetic. It's like seeing a big solitaire, or a big show. "Wow, look at all the people, smiling, look at how it looks"

It takes time to experience what the saints of the orthodox church have experienced. It's very hard and requires hardship but the feeling of Union with God is incomparable with your sight being stimulated. Or heck, even ears. People think that if a priest sings well, that means something. Well, it's nice, but it's just sound. It's not God's Grace. Like the basilica you saw, it's just masonry and coloured glass.

Christanon 01/21/18 (Sun) 15:33:17 a29361 No.592113

God made the world and called it "kalos," which means "good" but also "beautiful." If you found divine beauty expressed at a Catholic Mass better than at a Divine Liturgy, what can I say?

>people crying during a Mass

What's next, clapping?

If you're having a crisis of faith, look into that which interests you. Then you'll be able to judge better where you should go next.

Christanon 01/21/18 (Sun) 15:36:07 85d29f No.592116

YouTube embed. Click thumbnail to play.

I'm surprised you'd be struck by the beauty of a Catholic Mass if you're used to Orthodox Divine Liturgy. Did you attend a Latin Mass or the ordinary Mass? Orthodoxy is usually considered the most beauty-focused tradition (at least since Novus Ordo) - here's an obviously biased video which puts that point across.

Christanon 01/21/18 (Sun) 15:39:10 a29361 No.592118

>>592116

The Novus Ordo masses I see are often as good as the Divine Liturgy, I can see why OP would feel that way. Especially if that was in a cathedral.

Christanon 01/21/18 (Sun) 15:42:26 3ff38f No.592120

>>592110

BEGOME

In all seriousness, do not change for a sudden urge. Pray for at least a week before making any decision.

Christanon 01/21/18 (Sun) 15:47:51 13d6aa No.592122

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>>592110

I attended orthodox services early in my conversion, so I can sympathize with you. The fact of the matter is that one choice is correct, the other is not. Catholicism is the way to go.

Here's some pics regarding papal infallibility:

Christanon 01/21/18 (Sun) 15:54:21 13d6aa No.592124

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>>592110

Do your research, but most importantly, take your time and pray about this. I will pray for you as well.

Pics concerning purgatory:

Christanon 01/21/18 (Sun) 16:32:50 6799b0 No.592133

File: afe19a8a030f5e1⋯.jpg (9.42 KB, 225x225, 1:1, 12777360.jpg)

>>592110

Its a temporary feeling when you experience something new, especially if its quite close to you. I had similar experience when I was in Poland.

1:Don't make decisions swiftly on this sole experience

2:Remember that aesthetics and Godliness don't always correlate. Babylonians had massive temple complexes with elaborate Zigurats, while altars of Israelites were literally dirt and rocks.

>>592113

>What's next, clapping?

kek

Christanon 01/21/18 (Sun) 16:50:12 a29361 No.592141

>>592124

>that second pic

It's forgetting one thing: that Purgatory is distinct from Paradise (Heaven) and Hades (Hell).

Christanon 01/21/18 (Sun) 16:56:04 248675 No.592145

God calls all to his Church and the catholic faith, using different ways for different people. It seems like God is showing you something here. Yes you do have to leave behind all your non catholic beliefs and adopt all catholic doas in order to be Catholic.

Christanon 01/21/18 (Sun) 17:01:46 248675 No.592146

>>592141

Hades is the underworld for the pre messiah dead, not Hell which is the fiery lake.

Christanon 01/21/18 (Sun) 18:02:15 13d6aa No.592167

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>>592141

Not necessarily. Some Orthodox perspective on the subject:

Christanon 01/21/18 (Sun) 18:08:44 6799b0 No.592171

>>592167

Sorry, but first two dont mention post mortem purification.

Seraphim Rose is… least to say not a very good place to discuss something seriously.

As for the Isaac of Nineveh, I need to see the exact verse and work itself, for I have read it, but I found no such thing as "purification" in his works, but only two states, comparable with sun reacting on wax and clay. but I do found teaching of apocatastasis (naturally, not origenistic) in his works

Christanon 01/21/18 (Sun) 18:10:42 22f9a7 No.592172

I wouldn't recommend you take this line of thought seriously. It's something that happened once and I'm certain that you didn't get everything out of the service, since you were probably feeling "touched". Beauty is a nice ideal and it's great but it's not going to carry you on a deep, fundamental level. It can't be the core of your thoughts or considerations- it exists only when you're there, really. What about the rest of your time? What about the actual sacrifices you have to make and beliefs you have to change? It's no good thinking this way- it's not sustainable.