Oh the Orthodox proselytize. That’s how I was involved for so long at one time (about 6 yrs intensely. Never “left” but I never left anything I first join]
Although, my first encounter was when I was JUST ABOUT to be catechized into the Roman Catholic church. I was working at Seton Hall University, a Catholic university in NJ, and at lunch, on the day I was going to declare my intent, I looked at the yellow pages JUST to be sure I hadn’t missed any major churches from my church hopping days… and one stood out that I knew nothing about.
I made a phone call. Priest’s wife answered. Father is out blessing houses. I was intrigued. The rest took over on its own.
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But I won’t push because this is your journey. I had mine and it took me to unimaginable places. Still does.
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You probably wouldn’t care for the Orthodox treatment of war. While the Church has been tolerant of Christian soldiers protecting the innocent and consider many to be martyrs, it’s nevertheless a regretful thing regardless. She’s not a pacifist but does not have a just war doctrine either.
https://orthodoxwiki.org/Just_war
http://www.desertwisdom.org/dttw/
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What drew me most was the monasticism though, not the parish stuff. Wisdom of Desert Fathers were huge for me and they’re shared in both East and West (anything prior to 1054 is “safe” to share as there was Communion then)
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Politically though ,I’m more in line with https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unitarian_Universalism and Quaker and such. Episcopal would be my compromise spot as they have aspects of both.
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UU’s interesting. It was my 2nd stop after being raised Methodist. [first stop was Baha’i – one of my teachers took me to a few meetings. Wasn’t my thing but I admire a number of their programs].
There’s the Christian UU (still just called UU) which you wouldn’t be able to distinguish from a low Episcopal, Methodist, basic Presbyterian, Congregationalist, pre-fundamentalist Southern Baptist (not fire+brimstone but more Jimmy Carter era). Think of the churches in “Family Circus” and it’s like that.
Then there’s UU that you’re thinking of. Some of them are political, some are “where to go when you’re spiritual but not religious”, type of thing. They, too, look similar to standard left-leaning Christian but with a lot more experimentation.
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I don’t know of Canticle for Leibowitz but I just looked it up. Looks like an interesting read.
I was attracted to Orthodox monasticism because of its simplicity. I stayed at one for a bit and I really enjoyed the lifestyle.
Prayers start at sundown (Vespers), you eat, then Compline before bed, then Midnight prayer if you’re awake.
Then, wake up around 5am and you go to prayers. You stand in these booths with armrests and listen and sing. Good way to wake up and greet the day. (Matins).
Then First Hour, around 7am with the sunrise, Third Hour around 9am, Sixth Hour around noon,
Then Ninth Hour around 3pm which is special because that’s when Jesus died on the cross,
That’s a day.
Inbetween, there’s work, or reading or hobbies.
One elderly monk had an ancient Mac set to BIG FONT and was writing his book.
Another played the piano.
Some made beeswax candles or messed around with the bees, another did Icon painting, etc.
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ah, here. This is where. Resaca, GA. The standing booths on the sides don’t look like much but they were surprisingly comfortable. It was easy to stand there, even 1/2 asleep and do prayers, chanting, singing and stuff.
I could never tell if I was in it for 5 mins or 3 hrs. Truly a multi-sensory experience, as if Time itself folded together into a single eternal moment.
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