First Visits
Everyone who has visited an Orthodox Church for the first time as an older child or adult has a story to tell. Perhaps the memories are of the icons or the incense or the music that’s not exactly like anything you’ve ever experienced before. Perhaps the language and/or the vocabulary raised questions about whether or not this could ever be a good match. Perhaps there was confusion about what was happening all around or delight (or frustration) with the hospitality (or perhaps lack thereof). Author Frederica Mathewes-Green has written a wonderfully helpful article, Twelve Things I Wish I Had Known, which describes what she wishes she had known before her first visit, and some of her reflections. We asked several members (and future members) of St. John’s to share a bit about their memories of their first visit to an Orthodox Church.
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For some people, the first visit evokes positive memories.
"My first visit to St. Johns was for a Pascha (Easter) service in the late ‘90s. I was overwhelmed by the beautiful drama of the Pascha service and the deep theological symbolism of every action and intentionality, and the scriptural allusions of the words used. I was also impressed with the many young families with their children, some sleeping on the chairs, others participating.
"Everything felt 'right' but also 'safe'. I was participating in something so old and so new to me, but it felt like this is the way the resurrection should be celebrated.
"My wife and I were chrismated on the Feast of Ascension 2007. A great joy for me is that one of my daughters and her husband also became Orthodox, so two of my grandchildren are 'cradle' Orthodox!"
Ray Reitz is a former Mennonite pastor, and has served on the parish council and taught the eight-grade Sunday Church school class in years past.
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"My first visit to St. John's was about two months ago. I had previously attended an Antioch Orthodox parish in San Diego about three years ago. I kind of knew what to expect, as it was similar to my visit to the parish in San Diego, except this time I was ready for it. I immediately noticed the beautiful tones of the choir. I felt as if I had stepped right into Heaven. My focus alternated on the Theotokos behind the altar and on Christ in the Dome and then on the beautiful service that is the Divine Liturgy. I truly felt like I was in the presence of God. I was rather overwhelmed and very happy.
"With a Protestant background I felt self-conscious about the many differences and wondered whether I would ever catch on to what I was supposed to be doing, though I immediately knew that this was the place for me. So, my initial positive response was more visceral than theological.I felt THIS is the way to worship God...even if perhaps I didn't really understand what most of it symbolized or just why I felt so happy to be there. I didn't even know who the Theotokos was. Anyway, I have stopped being embarrassed about what I don't know and consider it now to be part of a long, exciting and fulfilling adventure. My journey to membership in the Church will undoubtedly be a long one. I am patient. It will be worth whatever it takes and however long it takes."
Gary Odom
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"St. John's was the first Orthodox Church I had ever visited, and I felt right at home as soon as I walked in the door. I had done a little bit of internet research to get an idea of what a typical service would be like. As for the first service, even though I didn't really know what was going to be done and when, the whole thing still ;felt very natural and everyone was SO welcoming and friendly! My first visit also coincided with one of the Inquirers classes. I remember telling Father Peter that the more I learned about Orthodoxy, the more I realized that it was what I had always believed and that… I am just glad to be home! Currently, I attend almost every Sunday and have been to one Vespers service, one Orthros service and have been at one Baptism. I also come to every Inquirer's class that I can!"
Lisa Gleim
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"My husband and I had hardly even heard of the Orthodox Church until one of our sons told us about it. Our first experience was in a very small Russian Orthodox Church in Alaska. Although there a lot of things that seemed strange or unusual to me about the service, I came away from that first experience with a strong sense that these people believed the Bible—a simple, steadfast belief in the Scriptures& that reminded me of the Mennonite church of my childhood.
"For six months now my husband and I have been attending St. John’s. I see there an emphasis on values such as humility, reverence for God and respect for authority - important values many in America are failing to pass on to our children. I enjoy the choir and I find the Liturgy to be a meaningful way worshiping God."
Lois Clymer
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For others, a first visit can be awkward and uncomfortable, and not what the visitors expected. Here’s a story of one family that walked out after a few minutes at their first Divine Liturgy.
"The narthex was subdued and quiet. We asked if there was a nursery (our children were then ages 5, 2, and not quite 1). When we heard there was none, we were dismayed. Wondering if this church was like the Roman Catholic Church, and not wanting to make a fool of myself, I asked, “Is there communion? Is it closed?” We learned that yes, there was communion, and yes, it was only for Orthodox. We were wary. Still, we crept into the back of the nave and took our place in the last row. The music was…weird. People were crossing themselves quite a bit (we liked that), but we felt conspicuous and uncomfortable.
"When my daughter asked to go to the bathroom, I was relieved to take a break. When I came out of the restroom, my husband was standing in the narthex and said “This is not what we’re looking for. This is…weird.” With that, we decided to hustle to another church to check it out instead. On the way out the door, I grabbed every pamphlet in the tract rack. Yes, I thought we’d never see the place again, but I at least wanted to try to figure out what Orthodoxy was, and how it fit into the American Christian community."
Aly Tapp and her family were chrismated in 2008 on Lazarus Saturday. Aly served as the Director of Christian Education until 2012. You can read more about their first (and second) visits in this article, "Now, THAT'S Joy!"
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Everyone’s experience and reaction to Orthodoxy is unique. For those who have yet to visit an Orthodox Church, be assured that someone at St. John’s has had a similar experience to what you will encounter, similar emotions, similar questions, similar response. We invite you to visit, and share your memories with us.
Article compiled and edited by Brandon Talley and Timm Wenger.
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For some people, the first visit evokes positive memories.
"My first visit to St. Johns was for a Pascha (Easter) service in the late ‘90s. I was overwhelmed by the beautiful drama of the Pascha service and the deep theological symbolism of every action and intentionality, and the scriptural allusions of the words used. I was also impressed with the many young families with their children, some sleeping on the chairs, others participating.
"Everything felt 'right' but also 'safe'. I was participating in something so old and so new to me, but it felt like this is the way the resurrection should be celebrated.
"My wife and I were chrismated on the Feast of Ascension 2007. A great joy for me is that one of my daughters and her husband also became Orthodox, so two of my grandchildren are 'cradle' Orthodox!"
Ray Reitz is a former Mennonite pastor, and has served on the parish council and taught the eight-grade Sunday Church school class in years past.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"My first visit to St. John's was about two months ago. I had previously attended an Antioch Orthodox parish in San Diego about three years ago. I kind of knew what to expect, as it was similar to my visit to the parish in San Diego, except this time I was ready for it. I immediately noticed the beautiful tones of the choir. I felt as if I had stepped right into Heaven. My focus alternated on the Theotokos behind the altar and on Christ in the Dome and then on the beautiful service that is the Divine Liturgy. I truly felt like I was in the presence of God. I was rather overwhelmed and very happy.
"With a Protestant background I felt self-conscious about the many differences and wondered whether I would ever catch on to what I was supposed to be doing, though I immediately knew that this was the place for me. So, my initial positive response was more visceral than theological.I felt THIS is the way to worship God...even if perhaps I didn't really understand what most of it symbolized or just why I felt so happy to be there. I didn't even know who the Theotokos was. Anyway, I have stopped being embarrassed about what I don't know and consider it now to be part of a long, exciting and fulfilling adventure. My journey to membership in the Church will undoubtedly be a long one. I am patient. It will be worth whatever it takes and however long it takes."
Gary Odom
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"St. John's was the first Orthodox Church I had ever visited, and I felt right at home as soon as I walked in the door. I had done a little bit of internet research to get an idea of what a typical service would be like. As for the first service, even though I didn't really know what was going to be done and when, the whole thing still ;felt very natural and everyone was SO welcoming and friendly! My first visit also coincided with one of the Inquirers classes. I remember telling Father Peter that the more I learned about Orthodoxy, the more I realized that it was what I had always believed and that… I am just glad to be home! Currently, I attend almost every Sunday and have been to one Vespers service, one Orthros service and have been at one Baptism. I also come to every Inquirer's class that I can!"
Lisa Gleim
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"My husband and I had hardly even heard of the Orthodox Church until one of our sons told us about it. Our first experience was in a very small Russian Orthodox Church in Alaska. Although there a lot of things that seemed strange or unusual to me about the service, I came away from that first experience with a strong sense that these people believed the Bible—a simple, steadfast belief in the Scriptures& that reminded me of the Mennonite church of my childhood.
"For six months now my husband and I have been attending St. John’s. I see there an emphasis on values such as humility, reverence for God and respect for authority - important values many in America are failing to pass on to our children. I enjoy the choir and I find the Liturgy to be a meaningful way worshiping God."
Lois Clymer
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For others, a first visit can be awkward and uncomfortable, and not what the visitors expected. Here’s a story of one family that walked out after a few minutes at their first Divine Liturgy.
"The narthex was subdued and quiet. We asked if there was a nursery (our children were then ages 5, 2, and not quite 1). When we heard there was none, we were dismayed. Wondering if this church was like the Roman Catholic Church, and not wanting to make a fool of myself, I asked, “Is there communion? Is it closed?” We learned that yes, there was communion, and yes, it was only for Orthodox. We were wary. Still, we crept into the back of the nave and took our place in the last row. The music was…weird. People were crossing themselves quite a bit (we liked that), but we felt conspicuous and uncomfortable.
"When my daughter asked to go to the bathroom, I was relieved to take a break. When I came out of the restroom, my husband was standing in the narthex and said “This is not what we’re looking for. This is…weird.” With that, we decided to hustle to another church to check it out instead. On the way out the door, I grabbed every pamphlet in the tract rack. Yes, I thought we’d never see the place again, but I at least wanted to try to figure out what Orthodoxy was, and how it fit into the American Christian community."
Aly Tapp and her family were chrismated in 2008 on Lazarus Saturday. Aly served as the Director of Christian Education until 2012. You can read more about their first (and second) visits in this article, "Now, THAT'S Joy!"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Everyone’s experience and reaction to Orthodoxy is unique. For those who have yet to visit an Orthodox Church, be assured that someone at St. John’s has had a similar experience to what you will encounter, similar emotions, similar questions, similar response. We invite you to visit, and share your memories with us.
Article compiled and edited by Brandon Talley and Timm Wenger.
