Connecting with Orthodoxy can be a challenge for many North Americans due to various reasons. Some individuals mistakenly believe that Eastern Orthodoxy is too focused on ethnicity, failing to recognize the significant diversification of the faith in North America in recent times. Consequently, they may feel hesitant to participate in the Divine Liturgy or other services at a local Orthodox Church. However, it is important to note that numerous parishes, particularly within the OCA (Orthodox Church in America) Jurisdiction, have embraced minimal ethnic influences and have become highly Americanized. In my perspective, the Orthodox faith is now more accessible than ever in the present day, catering to a wide range of individuals.
Despite the increased accessibility of the Orthodox faith, there are certain regions in the United States and Canada where the presence of Orthodox parishes is still limited. This can pose a challenge for individuals who wish to engage with Orthodox Christianity in these areas. Connecting with the faith might seem like an insurmountable task for those living in such regions. However, there are various reasons why individuals might prefer to explore Orthodoxy from a distance rather than attending a physical parish. For instance, someone who desires to convert to Orthodoxy but lacks the support of their family may find it more beneficial to contemplate the faith remotely.
For this reason, I have decided to compile a list of five actions that individuals can take in order to incorporate Orthodoxy into their lives, even when physically attending an Orthodox church is not possible.
1. Pray the Jesus Prayer
The classical form of the Jesus Prayer is:
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
The Jesus Prayer has been a central practice in the Orthodox Christian tradition for centuries, offering believers a way to cultivate a deeper relationship with God through simple yet profound words. The essence of this prayer lies in its ability to bring the practitioner into a state of inner peace and communion with the divine. By focusing on the repetition of the prayer, individuals can quiet their minds and open their hearts to the presence of God within them.
The wisdom of the Jesus Prayer lies in its accessibility to all, regardless of their background or education. It is a universal prayer that transcends language barriers and theological differences, inviting all who seek solace and guidance to turn to God in humility and faith. Through the practice of the Jesus Prayer, believers can experience the transformative power of divine love and mercy in their lives, leading them closer to the source of all creation.
The website of Saint Vladimir’s Seminary provides a comprehensive analysis of the prayer, delving into its history and offering different approaches to reciting it. In the renowned book “The Way of the Pilgrim”, the protagonist is depicted reciting the prayer a staggering 1200 times daily during a particular period. This showcases the deep spiritual commitment and dedication to prayer that is central to the narrative.
2. Stream the Divine Liturgy or Vespers online.
Truly, if you can’t participate in the Divine Liturgy, Vespers or other Canons and Services in person, you can capture some of the beauty by viewing them online. The great thing about this option is that you can select the parish that resonates with you most, and you are not limited to those located in your immediate vicinity. Many parishes stream their Divine Liturgy live via YouTube and perhaps Rumble. I highly recommend finding a quiet spot where you can nestle in and observe the beauty that is the Divine Liturgy undisturbed!
My personal favorite choice for viewing the Liturgy online, is Saint Jonah Orthodox Church in Spring Texas, which is the home parish of Fr. John Whiteford, who I love very much. But there are many, many parishes that stream their services, and I would be more than happy to provide a list of wonderful live streams for anyone interested.
3. Read Orthodox Books
A terrific way to get in touch with the Orthodox faith is to read about the faith. Specifically, I recommend books from the early Church Fathers, Desert Fathers or well published and influential Church Theologians such as Fr. Thomas Hopko, Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann and Metropolitan Kallistos Ware.
Someone truly interested in Orthodoxy may want to start by ordering a copy of the Orthodox Study Bible. There is a wonderful version available in the Ancient Faith Store, but you can also find the St. Athanasius Academy version on Amazon and other sites where you purchase books.
For the purposes of this article, which I am gearing towards Orthodox “inquirers” I am going to recommend the following three books:
The Orthodox Church: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity by Timothy Ware
Timothy Ware's book, published half a century ago, has become the go-to introduction to the Orthodox Church in English-speaking countries. The author emphasizes the importance of understanding Orthodoxy before any potential reunion between Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches, as it remains a topic of great interest among western Christians. In the updated edition, he delves into Orthodox perspectives on various topics including Ecumenical Councils, Sacraments, Free Will, Purgatory, the Papacy, and the relationships between different Orthodox Churches.
The Way of a Pilgrim & The Pilgrim Continues His Way
The Pilgrim's Tale, also known as The Way of a Pilgrim, is a 19th-century Russian work that follows the journey of a traveling pilgrim practicing the Jesus Prayer through Ukraine, Russia, and Siberia. It remains uncertain whether the book is a literal account of a single pilgrim or a fictional story used to teach the practice of continuous inner prayer and connection with God. The original Russian text, or a copy of it, was found at a Mount Athos monastery in Greece during the 19th century and was first published in Kazan in 1884 under the title Candid Narratives of a Pilgrim to His Spiritual Father. This book is a must read for someone wanting to get to the root of how Orthodox Christians approach prayer.
How to Be a Sinner by Peter Bouteneff
In many aspects of our church community, we often refer to ourselves as "sinners." However, embracing the identity of a sinner, when approached in the correct manner, can lead to a sense of inner peace, a clear conscience, and a deeper love for those around us. This insightful guide delves into important themes such as guilt, shame, and the importance of self-care, offering a compassionate perspective that encourages reflection on one's life through the lens of surrendering to the mercy of God. Authored by a highly respected professor of Orthodox theology with international recognition, this book has the ability to resonate with individuals from all walks of life, providing guidance and wisdom regardless of where they may currently find themselves on their spiritual journey.
There are many other books I can recommend, and if one would like to view a more comprehensive recommendation list, you can find it on my previous article;
4. Create an Icon Corner and Venerate
Not everyone may find this recommendation suitable. For instance, an individual who prefers to explore the Orthodox faith in a more private manner, without drawing attention to their spiritual journey, might not be inclined to embark on renovating a section of their living space to honor Christ Pantocrator and Theotokos. However, for someone fully committed to embracing Orthodoxy but lacking a nearby parish to participate in communal worship, establishing an Icon corner at home can be a wonderful alternative.
There are four main vendors that I always recommend for Icons, and between each of them, one will have choices galore.
Legacy Icons
Legacy is a top name in Orthodox products. They offer hand-crafted icons, a large selection of incense, beeswax candles, and other Christian gifts. I find Legacy to be a little more expensive than other vendors, but they have a great selection and because of the sheer size of their operation, you can count on quality customer service if you need to contact them. My family has purchased multiple Icons, as well as censors and candles from Legacy and we have always been happy with the product we have received.Uncut Mountain Supply
Uncut Mountain Supply is a family owned business which began back in 2004 with a blessing and a great deal of help from the ever-memorable Elder Ephraim of Mt. Athos and Arizona. Many of the icons in their catalogue were graciously donated by St. Anthony's Monastery. Because they are family owned, it may take a little longer to receive your product from Uncut Mountain, but they create quality Icons. My family has made one purchase from Uncut Mountain and we were very happy with the finished product, but it did take a while to arrive.Ancient Faith Store
Most everyone in the Orthodox Church probably knows about Ancient Faith. The store is a division of Ancient Faith Ministries. In addition to the books, audiobooks, booklets, and brochures published by Ancient Faith Publishing, they offer their own lines of icons, recordings, cards, and calendars, as well as a curated selection of fine Orthodox books from other publishers and gift and liturgical products from around the world. Ancient Faith Store bills itself as “your one-stop shop for everything you need to bring the fullness of Orthodox doctrine and practice into your home.”St. Macarius OCA
This shop is my personal favorite and I try to support the Sisters of this Monastery every chance I get. Not only do I love their icons, but they have an extremely compelling story, and I urge everyone to take a look at it:
SEE THEIR STORY HERE
5. Listen to Ancient Faith Radio
One of my favorite sources of Orthodox content is Ancient Faith Radio. It is to us Orthodox what Sacred Heart Radio and EWTN is to Roman Catholics. Whether driving to or from work, sitting at your desk or just relaxing in the evening, AFR has a steady flow of quality content in both music or talk format. You can cue it up on your favorite browser or download the app on your phone or tablet.
Whether you want to enjoy podcasts, streaming radio, archived homilies, lessons from Fr. Thomas Hopko or current news topics, AFR really does have it all. I highly recommend making AFR part of your daily routine if you are trying to get closer to the Orthodox faith.
Per the Ancient Faith Ministries Website:
”Ancient Faith Ministries exists to carry out the Great Commission of Jesus Christ through accessible and excellently-crafted publications and creative media that educate, edify, and evangelize, leading to a living experience of God through His Holy Orthodox Church.”