A Little UnOrthodox

For 11 months now I've been going to an Orthodox church in Colorado Springs called Saints Constantine and Helen Holy Theophany Orthodox Church. Theophany is the churchy name for when Christ was baptized by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan river. Saint Constantine was the ruler of the Byzantine-Roman empire in the 4th century who ceased the persecutions against the Christian church and even made Christianity the national religion of his empire. Saint Helen was his mother who was a devout Christian herself.

The first time I encountered Orthodoxy I didn't quite know what to make of it. It was very different from my Southern Baptist background. It's always intimidating to step out of one's comfort zone, but I am now glad I did. Things that were once exotic and strange, if not a little bit scary, are now commonplace and comforting. All the bowing, kissing, prostrating, crossing, etc. has become part of my worship when I enter the temple and I can't imagine ever going back to the Protestant realm, though I still cherish the church I was brought up in and have a great deal of respect for it. But there's something about singing hymns and reading prayers that are quite literally a thousand years old. There's a connection to the Saints who gone on before us, who have fought the good fight and are now part of the Cloud of Witnesses that enthrones the Kingdom of Heaven. It's a wonderful, amazing thing to be able to connect myself with those members of the Family of God as I repeat words that have been spoken and sung for nearly two millennia. And I know that until Christ returns again that the body of the Holy Orthodox Church will continue to sing the same songs and repeat the same prayers, connecting Christians of the future to me as well. Cool!


The reason I'm a little UN Orthodox is because I'm not yet a full Orthodox Christian. I'm currently a catechumin in the church. A catechumin is a person who intends to become Orthodox but is still learning about the church and has yet to be baptized into the church. I've been reading and researching a lot, and of course going to church and becoming involved in the services as much as I can. But I'm longing to finally become Orthodox myself and I think it probably won't be much longer before I talk with the priest, Father Anthony, about being baptized into the church. Because I am a Christian already and was baptized (when I was 6) under the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I do not technically HAVE to be re-baptized. I can choose to accept Chrismation (anointing of the oil and the Holy Spirit) instead, but I think I will probably go ahead and be baptized. The baptismal service is incredibly beautiful and meaningful. This period in my life is similar to being engaged. I'm not yet married to the Orthodox church, but the intent to do so is there. It reminds me a little of my own engagement to Koichi. It was a beautiful, sweet time. But there finally comes a point when I start to think, Okay, let's get married already! I'm ready to get married to the Orthodox church.

The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth and of all things visible and invisible.

And in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of light; true God of true God; begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by Whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation came down from Heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. And the third day He arose again, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; Whose Kingdom shall have no end.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spoke by the prophets.

In one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.