discussion about Orthodoxy (2)

Egyptian Christians enjoy a traditional Nile cruise in front of the historical Virgin Mary Church in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007. Egyptian Christians celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar on Jan. 7. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Alexy II heads a Christmas service Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, early Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007. The Russian Orthodox Church observes Christmas on Jan. 7 because it retained the Julian calendar. (AP Photo)



Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Alexy II heads a Christmas service Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, early Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007. The Russian Orthodox Church observes Christmas on Jan. 7 because it retained the Julian calendar. (AP Photo)



Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Alexy II heads a Christmas service at Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, early Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007. The Russian Orthodox Church observes Christmas on Jan. 7 because it retained the Julian calendar. (AP Photo)





Russian Orthodox Church faithful attend a Christmas service in Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Savior, early Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007. The Russian Orthodox Church, all but banned under the Soviet Union, has experienced a major resurgence since 1991, with the church claiming that two-thirds of Russia's 144 million people are observant. (AP Photo)



Russian President Vladimir Putin, left of centre, attends a Christmas service in a church at New Jerusalem, a 17th-century monastery complex about 40 km (25 miles) outside Moscow, early Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007. The Russian Orthodox Church observes Christmas on Jan. 7 because it retained the Julian calendar. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze, Pool)



Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, crosses himself during a Christmas service in a church at New Jerusalem, a 17th-century monastery complex about 40 km (25 miles) outside Moscow, early Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007. The Russian Orthodox Church observes Christmas on Jan. 7 because it retained the Julian calendar. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze, Pool)









Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, walks in Novo-Ierusalim monastery in the town of Istra, some 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of Moscow, early Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007 where he came to attend the Christmas service. Christmas falls on Jan. 7 for Orthodox Christians in the Holy Land, Russia and other Eastern Orthodox churches that use the old Julian calendar instead of the 16th-century Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics and Protestants and commonly used in secular life around the world. (AP Photo/RIA-NOVOSTI/ Presidential Press Service)



Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Father Nikita, right, after a Christmas service in a church at New Jerusalem, a 17th-century monastery complex, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) outside Moscow, early Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007. The Russian Orthodox Church, like some other Orthodox churches including the one in Serbia, observes Christmas on Jan. 7 because it retained the Julian calendar for its liturgical schedule when countries switched to the Gregorian calendar. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze, Pool)

People seen near Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Savior during an Orthodox Christmas celebration, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007. The Russian Orthodox Church, like some other Orthodox churches including the one in Serbia, observes Christmas on Jan. 7 because it retained the Julian calendar. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)



A Christmas tree seen near Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Savior during an Orthodox Christmas celebration, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007. The Russian Orthodox Church, like some other Orthodox churches including the one in Serbia, observes Christmas on Jan. 7 because it retained the Julian calendar. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

A Ukrainian Orthodox women stands in front of a portrait of Russia's Tsar Nicholas II as she participates in a protest in front of the foreign ministry during a pro-Russian march and anti-NATO religious procession in Kiev, Ukraine, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2007. The participants of the procession, organized by the Moscow patriarchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, marched to denounce President Victor Yushchenko's pro-NATO and pro-European aspirations. (AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov)

A man gets out of cold water on the eve of Russian Orthodox Epiphany in Moscow on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007. Usually Russians celebrate Russian Orthodox holiday of the Epiphany on Jan. 19, and keep up an annual ritual by jumping into holes cut in thick ice on rivers and ponds to cleanse themselves with water deemed holy for the day. This year during an unusually warm winter there is no ice on rivers and ponds. The tradition imitates the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze)



Priest blesses water as a woman gets into cold water on the eve of Russian Orthodox Epiphany in Moscow on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007. Usually Russians celebrate Russian Orthodox holiday of the Epiphany on Jan. 19, and keep up an annual ritual by jumping into holes cut in thick ice on rivers and ponds to cleanse themselves with water deemed holy for the day. This year during an unusually warm winter there is no ice on rivers and ponds.The tradition imitates the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze)

["Господь им дал дар по молитвам их размягчать окаменелые наши сердца за их страдания..Мне думается, что если люди будут молиться Царской Cемье, оттают сердца с Божией помощью."]

How does one convert to Russian Orthodoxy?

Well, the first step would be to go to a service. Then you should approach a priest and tell him what you are interested in. it’s a very long process, but I’m sure it’s like that for every religion.

I would also add, it is something to be very serious about, and not just do because one is interested in Russia/ Romanovs etc. It is something that would affect your whole life, and soul, for eternity. The first thing to do, indeed would be to go to a service, if you don't understand Russian, then an English speaking parish would be best. Also, as Orthodoxy is the same, it doesn't matter hugely at all whether the parish is Russian, Greek, Romanian, etc. Each have their own cultural bits and pieces, but the Faith, Liturgy etc are the same - that is one thing, you can go to an Orthodox CHurch anywhere in the world and be at home, even if you don't understand the language the Liturgy is performed in.

In Russian churches, such as for example Saint Isaacs in St. Petersburg late 1916, were there any pews like in Roman Catholic churches?

I'm not Orthodox myself, but I believe it's customary for worshippers to stand during services. So I would presume no pews.

[Mathematic, art and history in ♥]

I am Orthodox, and in Serbian Orthodox, there are no pews, since I saw older people sit in some ones, but during ceremony, if I recall correct, all are standing.

I'm writing a story where one of the characters needs to drop off a small package in a church without being seen. Pews would have been useful to discretely hide the package under one of the seats, but I guess I'll have to find something else. Any ideas?

Ambreville, there are no pews but within Cathedrals and even small churches there are annexes devoted to saints. Services are held there and we light candles. There are usually tables (I cannot think of the word where a speaker will stand but like altars) that are covered in cloth with embrodered crosses.

Joanna

That's perfect! Thanks!! I'll use that for sure.