u/marie_anna_

Hi all,
I’m new to the orthodox faith and am planning to start attending a Syriac Orthodox parish in the next month or two (currently not able because of health issues). I’ve been raised atheist and converted to Protestant Pentecostalism roughly 3 years ago. I was really passionate about following Christ yet had no knowledge about the sacraments and church traditions. Thanks to God He let me to what I believe to be His true church 🙏🏻. Since I’m still recovering from a severe burn out I’m not yet able to attend church or read, watch or practice a lot due to cognitive problems, yet I do want to start reading* somethin*g to learn about the faith and grow closer to God.

Does anyone have any advice on accessible, not too challenging books from the Oriental orthodox tradition? I’ve found a Syriac catechism online in my language (Dutch), and am curious for a prayer book, writings of saints etc or even modern guide or inspiring book about the faith. Do you have any recommendations?

Thanks in advance & God bless! 🙏🏻☦️

I’m currently discerning which Orthodox Church to join and would really appreciate some advice.

I come from a Protestant Pentecostal background. As I’ve been studying the early Church, it seems to me that both the Eastern Orthodox and the Oriental Orthodox Churches have preserved the apostolic tradition of Christianity. Because of that, I personally don’t see one as inherently “higher” or “better” than the other.

What has made my discernment more difficult is learning about the Council of Chalcedon. From what I understand, a large part of the Church at the time disagreed with the council and later became what we now know as the Oriental Orthodox Churches. I don’t see them as having broken away from the original apostolic tradition.

I live in the Netherlands, where most Orthodox parishes were established by immigrant communities in recent decades. I’m especially drawn to a local Syriac Orthodox parish. However, I only recently discovered that there are actually two Orthodox communions that are not in communion with each other. That really burst my bubble, because until then I had assumed there was simply one “Orthodox Church.” Seeing that both traditions have preserved ancient apostolic worship and practice has made this discernment much more challenging.

At the same time, most of the Orthodox content I find online seems to come from the Eastern Orthodox perspective, so it’s sometimes difficult to find balanced information or hear from Oriental Orthodox Christians.

Has anyone else gone through a similar discernment? And are there any Syriac Orthodox or Coptic Orthodox members here who would be willing to share their experience and what led them to their Church?

Thanks!