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Are you interested in Orthodoxy?

You are not alone. Each year the number of Western Christians finding a secure, stable and transforming life in Orthodoxy is growing. The British Orthodox Church is made up almost entirely of converts from a wide range of Christian backgrounds, other religions and no faith at all. We have all come together to find the fulness of the Christian life in Orthodoxy.

We are very glad that you have taken the time to visit our website and we hope that these resources will help you understand a little more of what Orthodoxy is all about, experience something of our spiritual life, and even discover how you can be a part of real Christianity for yourself.

Orthodoxy has so much to offer the modern world. It has a stability of faith and doctrine that rejects our preoccupation with the immediate. Orthodoxy does not change its moral base to reflect the mores of those around us, rather it demands that we ourselves be transformed day by day. So the practice of any form of homosexuality, or indeed the practice of heterosexuality outside marriage, is not condoned. There is no agitation for the ordination of women. The Bible remains the central pillar of Church teaching, and the traditional doctrines about Christ are vigorously defended. Our life in the Church has the aim of transforming us, we do not seek to make the Church merely reflect our own spiritual mediocrity.

If you have any questions then please make sure you ask them. We will do our very best to support your spiritual pilgrimage as best we can.

 

Perhaps you have been reading and praying about becoming Orthodox. Perhaps you have already committed yourself to praying Orthodox daily prayers, either alone or in a group. Now you have understood enough and experienced enough to know that you would like to receive formal instruction as a catechumen.

It is always best to receive such instruction in a face-to-face relationship with a priest, but the British Orthodox Church are well aware that not everyone is fortunate to be in close proximity to an Orthodox community. The British Orthodox Church commits itself to making every effort to provide whatever instruction is appropriate and possible within the situations of any enquirers who come to us seeking help.

The basis of our instruction is a catechetical study guide and workbook, which is supported by correspondence by post or email, telephone conversations, face-to-face meetings when they are possible, together with opportunities for experiencing Orthodox worship.

Instruction will also include study of the Bible and Church Fathers, and the provision of a reading list tailored to the circumstances and background of each enquirer.

If a group of people seek instruction then this will be taken into account and materials will be proposed for group study, as well as the individual materials.

Wherever possible we will seek to provide personal contact with clergy of the British Orthodox Church, we may also suggest contact with other Orthodox Churches in the area of an enquirer so as to provide the necessary contact with Orthodox Christians.

If you seek instruction we will send an initial pack of materials and will require a personal response to a range of questions about your background and circumstances, and what has lead you to seek Orthodox Christianity. This will allow us to develop a tailored instruction plan and also demonstrates the commitment of an enquirer to the process of instruction.

You might also want to read about the British Orthodox Fellowship, a community of friends, enquirers and members of the British Orthodox Church, with a shared interest in experiencing the Orthodox Faith, wherever you are and at your own pace.

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