Finding Home in the Orthodox Church

All my life, I've never had a strong sense of belonging. I never quite fit in. Making it in social groups has always been difficult.

I never felt like I was a part of something, until I found the Orthodox Church. After studying Orthodox Christianity for a little while, I decided I needed to check it out. I went to an Orthodox Divine Liturgy for the first time on October 15, 2006. When I did, I saw something I had never seen before. Truly reverent worship. The music was moving and powerful. There was no need to re-invent faith or worship and everything was authentic and genuine.

After a year of catechises and regular dialogue with the local parish priest, I was baptized. That was a beautiful day. I had never been baptized before I became an Orthodox Christian. As it turns out, that was fine, because the Orthodox rite of baptism is so much more awesome than any other practice that I am aware of. The service was about an hour long!

The traditional Orthodox form of baptism is by three full immersions in the name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. We are buried with Him through Baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we should walk in the newness of life.

As soon as I came out of the water, I opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was light. Then, a white vestment was put on me and I was chrismated and tonsured. The Chrism is the sweetest smelling oil I have ever smelled. This is like Confirmation in the West. When the priest anointed me, there was a feeling of warmth and love that cannot be described. It reminded me of the description of St. Seraphim of Sarov in the snow in Russia being warmed by the Holy Spirit.

This was the first time I had a sense of purpose and belonging. There was nothing I had to offer, but everything necessary for salvation was freely offered to me. I became a part of a spiritual family where there is warmth and love.