“A person must be in the religious search not for the sake of religious experiences, which can deceive, but for the sake of Truth.” ~Fr. Seraphim (Eugene) Rose
For centuries Christians have understood that Truth is not simply a concept or a piece of data, but that Truth is a living, breathing person, indeed the person of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thus, the quest for true religion is not a search for doctrinal statements (which are important) or ecclesial structures (which are also important) but it is actually a search for Jesus, who wills to be found by multitudes of women and men, young and old, in all places. Indeed, there are evidences of the presence of Jesus in all sorts of places, some expected (various Christian communities) some unexpected (like a back ally in Flint, MI for example).
My wife and I were both raised in Christian homes, by Christian parents in faithful Christian communities – things we are both eternally grateful for, which we treasure and look back on as being very formative in each of our lives. Jesus was presented to us and we were encouraged to respond to him as we understood him. And yet, for each of us as we grew older, and especially as we have begun to journey through life as husband and wife, we have sensed that there was still more to seek out, more to know, more to love.
Ultimately, this desire for a deeper fullness in our Christian faith led us to begin exploring the world of Christendom outside of the traditions we were raised in. For a period of time this led us to make the Anglican tradition our home, where we were introduced to liturgical worship, the sacraments and a patterned rhythm of prayer. We began to read the Fathers of the first centuries of the Christian Church, individuals who sat at the feet of the Apostles and had the faith transmitted to them in all of its fullness. We began to take seriously the study of history, and as we experienced all of these things and more we began to sense a certain amount of unease with where we were. Eventually there comes a time when you have to stop and evaluate where you have been, where you are, and where you are going. The past eighteen months have been that time of reflection and discernment for our family.
It has not been an easy process. There have been tears. Frustration. Confusion. There has been honest conversation. There have been wonderful friends and family who have made parts of the journey with us as we’ve sounded out ideas, asked our questions, hoped and prayed about the future. In the midst of it all has been the question, where can we find a fuller, a deeper, a richer understanding of our faith, where can we find the faith of the Apostles, where can we put down deep, deep roots that will sustain us, our children and our grandchildren for generations to come. Is there a place that offers more stability, a surer foundation, than the place we presently find ourselves?
Over time, we began to find that the answer to those questions was “yes” and with that came a new experience in the journey: deep, abiding peace. That’s doesn’t mean all of the questions disappeared. It does mean we came to a place of decision, a place of commitment, a place of trusting God to continue to lead us and shape us, to restore in us the image of his Son, Jesus Christ.
The journey has led us to the threshold of the canonical Orthodox Church, the faith of the undivided Church, ancient Christianity in all of its beauty and all of its challenges, for indeed it is a rigorous faith, teaching its members to daily join Christ in his death in order to share in his resurrection. Our entire family intends to cross that threshold this summer as we enter into full communion with the Orthodox Church.
We look upon our years in the Anglican tradition with joy, and there will be a bitter sweetness to this transition. Through Anglicanism we were exposed to parts of the ancient Church, it wetted our appetite to learn more. Perhaps most importantly it brought us close to other people, very dear friends who we have shared our lives with (and will continue to do so). We are better followers of Jesus because of our time spent in the Anglican tradition. Yet, we believe there is more God wants to show us and teach us. Additionally, remaining apart of a church that has separated, and separated and separated again from the trunk of the tree so to speak has become untenable for us. It is no longer possible to look for the undivided church and then remain on the other side of the fence looking in when there is the opportunity to cross the fence. We realize that this decision will confuse, sadden and perhaps even anger some. If we have given offense to anyone, we ask for forgiveness. We ask all to pray for us as we continue to seek after Truth.
For further information about Orthodoxy please visit these sites:
www.oca.org
www.allsaintsofalaska.ca/index.php/the-orthodox-church/81-these-truths-we-hold
