u/KayaKafka

Currently in Lesvos and going to visit the Plomari Ouzo Museum soon. Already drank two different ouzo brands which I liked but looking for your opinion on which Lesvian Ouzo brand I should bring back home, would love to buy the highest quality Ouzo here.

Visiting Greece right now. I’ve been raised as a Turkish, muslim. My heritage is most likely Pontic Greek, my grandparents used to be Romeika speeking Pontics who identified as muslims. Most likely there is a turning point where they chose islam out of pressure or voluntarily by the Ottoman rule.

Over the years I’ve slowly started becoming more and more detached from islam, slowly to the point at which I don’t believe in the things it teaches anymore. Other religions have never resonated with me either until now…

Currently I’m in Greece and today I’ve visited an Orthodox chapel. Watching the beautiful icons I felt touched to my core, with a sense of warmth and a feeling I’ve never felt before visiting a religious place. Never felt anything like it, not in a grande mosque, nor a beautiful cathedral, but here in this small chapel I felt spiritually “open”. It’s making me want to explore (Greek) Orthodoxy.

I’m a bit ashamed though what this would mean for my Turkish (muslim) family. They would probably exile me if I bring the news of wanting to explore Orthodoxy out openly, and I don’t want to lose my family and friends. Yet at the same time I can’t ignore the experience I had today.

How would you advise me to deal with this?

Compared to UK, Dutch, Belgian commentators for example the commentating feels simple and non-informative, as if they’re explaining the game for an audio only audience like on the radio.

“Cerny on the ball, passes the ball to Orkun. Orkun, shoots the ball from the outside.”

I mean yes, we can see that this is happening too. And during exciting moments of a game this is totally fine ofcourse. There are parts of the game though where this commentary style is really… boring.

In the UK they are much more entertaining by talking about a player’s past or some other stories about a football club based on pre-game research done on both clubs, some history and so on. This feels a lot more “entertaining” than just naming who has the ball currently.

Rant over.

A while ago I posted here that after learning more about my Pontic (Greek) ancestry I started to feel a sort of warmth when reading more about Orthodoxy.

The past few weeks I’ve gone through the podcast called the THE WAY and hearing the different priests speak about Orthodox Christianity and hearing the perspectives on faith and God have brought a sense of belonging in me. Each day on my commute to work and evening strolls I eagerly listened to the 12 audio files that described how Orthodox Christians live with faith in God.

Where Christianity was always instilled in me as a heretic belief in God on one hand by a muslim upbringing and as ancient make belief by atheist educational systems I somehow have a feeling of enlightenment after finishing the introduction course.

I have a feeling of being humbled, as if Jesus is present, near me. And the feeling is giving me warmth, peace but also bewilderment as I’ve never thought that this would get me to this point in life.

As astonished as I am, I’m also afraid. Afraid of what my family and friends will think of me pursuing this path. How Orthodox Christians will welcome a ex-muslim into their midst and how I would fare in friendships and relationships as one of them.

Have you dealt with a similar path into Orthodoxy? Or any tips on how to move further on this path?

That was a small moment of victory!

I know that it’s nothing big but I’ve enjoyed the Language Transfer audio course so much so far and hearing a Greek word that I could understand from anywhere else than the course gave me a big bump in motivation.

Although the language seems “simple” in pronunciation, I’m having a hard time remembering and using the words I’m learning in the course. I attribute that to being mid 30s haha!

But having so much fun so far and building brick by brick… just wanted to share!

In an earlier post I shared of having a quite sudden and profound interest in Orthodoxy, after reading about how my Pontic Greek ancestors were (hidden) crypto-Christians under Ottoman, islamic rule.

I’m curious if you know about any introductory podcasts on (Greek) Orthodoxy that are tailored for converts from islam, or general ones explaining the essence of Orthodoxy and also ones that are more on “how to live”, traditions and rituals that go deeper on everyday life.

Curious to your suggestions!

Do you think that Orthodoxy influences your daily life?

I’m looking for the more “mundane” answers, ones you don’t always think about, like f.e. making a cross sign while walking past a church? Or saying a certain prayer that is Orthodox in origin when something happens, or other subtleties that you can think of?

Just some thoughts I wanted to share this evening.

I’ve been raised with a partly islamic and partly secular belief system. While I was more inclined to hold religious beliefs when I was younger, as I grew older I verged on atheistic / agnostic but always got pulled back in to my islamic upbringings.

Being raised muslim, thinking about Christianity and entertaining the thought was always a big no no for me.

Recently I found my roots as a Pontic Greek and I’ve started to read more and more about how they lived as crypto-Christians during Ottoman rule. This made me read more and learn more about how the Orthodox church has been so important in their lives during centuries of dark times.

Ever since I’ve done my research and reading into Orthodox Christianity, there seems to be a shift in me. There is an unexplainable warmth and longing to read more, research more and understand more.

If anyone has knowledge on how Pontic Greeks lived with Orthodoxy in the past and how Orthodoxy influences the lives of Greeks today, I’m happy to hear and learn more!

Something tells me that this is a beautiful path I’m on…

As a Pontic Greek (with a Turkish nationality) I have been researching my ancestors from the Black Sea region.

Now I'm curious to what Greeks see as inherently Greek identity. I'm looking for answers beyond just where one is born. Is it how the Orthodox religion is intertwined in Greek society? Or ethnicity? Culture, food?

What would you say makes one Greek, and what tips do you have for people like myself looking to learn and embrace their culture and history as a (Pontic) Greek?

As a Pontic Greek (with a Turkish nationality) I have been researching my ancestors from the Black Sea region.

Now I'm curious to what Greeks see as inherently Greek identity. I'm looking for answers beyond just where one is born. Is it how the Orthodox religion is intertwined in Greek society? Or ethnicity? Culture, food?

What would you say makes one Greek, and what tips do you have for people like myself looking to learn and embrace their culture and history as a (Pontic) Greek?

As a Pontic (Turk) I’m very invested in my Pontic Greek heritage. I’m trying to read more and understand how the Pontic Greek cuisine used ingredients.

I’m mostly curious about how pork was used in their dishes. Before the Ottoman period I assume pork was used in their traditional dishes?

During the Ottoman time, I’m wondering how the Pontic Greeks included pork in their dishes since I assume that owning pigs could be a sign that you are a non-muslim and therefore needed to pay taxes to the sultan?

Or was usage of pork fully ceased by then? I can’t seem to find anything about this in modern Pontic Greek recipes.