"However, I don't know why you would have to have a spiritual advisor (other than your priest) before you could become Orthodox. It seems to me that it would be much better to enter into the church than indefinately delay that extremely important step."
Humbly,
Gregory
The problem is this. To enter the church you must become a catechumen.
I wish to be a member of ROCOR, but they won't give me
catechesis, as I don't speak Russian.
Catechesis is, I believe, the beginning of Christian life.
Without some spiritual advisor to offer me catechesis,
I can't move forward.
Reading books like St.Theophan the Recluse, The Path to Salvation
only point this out more clearly.
Baptismal regeneration,and the real presence of Christ in communion
are medicines for the soul. I stand in need of these medicines,
but I can't get to them. This is why I am thinking about joining the OCA. For
all their faults, at least they will receive me as a catechumen.
Gregory, how did you enter the church? How long were you a catechumen?
I hardly knew what an Orthodox church looked like inside until last September.
I haven't any Christian background at all,
so I've been reading books, but they can only take you so far.
What I need is now is some praxis, and some guidance.
This is where I need God's intervention ,to help me find which path to take.
Do I stick with ROCOR or join OCA?
Please pray for me.
"If a pagan wished to become a Christian he was given some elementary instruction in the fundamental doctrines and practices of the Church . He had to show by his conduct that he was in earnest about the step he was about to take. So far, he was only in the stage of inquiry, and was not counted as a Christian at all..."
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03430b.htm