I am a convert, from Roman Catholicism, to the Indian Orthodox Church, and have been a member for four years. My father's side of the family is Greek Orthodox, and I was baptized into the Greek Church as an infant, but was raised Catholic, due to my father converting to my mother's faith.
Though I belong to an Oriental Orthodox congregation, I am mostly Eastern Orthodox in my theological outlook, especially since most of my theological views have been shaped by the writings of Father Seraphim Rose, Eastern Orthodox catechisms from my public library, and articles available on GOArch.org and OrthodoxInfo.
I accept the confession of Chalcedon, and hope that someday the Oriental Orthodox Churches will accept all Seven Ecumenical Councils.
In the past, I've considered leaving the Indian Orthodox Church, in favor of the Greek Church which is closer to my house, but haven't for several reasons.
Firstly, I chose Indian Orthodoxy over Greek Orthodoxy for the liturgy. The Divine Liturgy of Saint James is the oldest liturgy of the Church, and it truly has become a part of me. I know much of the liturgy by heart, and it would be hard for me to live without it.
The liturgy of the Greek Church did not have a similar affect on me, and I was rather turned off by how, at the particular congregation I visited, there was barely any participation from the congregation. I love how in the liturgy of St. James, the whole congregation, rather than just a cantor, sings along with most of the liturgy. The melodies are borrowed, in some parts, from the temple of Jerusalem, and the words are very poetic throughout.
Secondly, I feel that I was destined to become a member of my particular congregation. Father Michael, the spiritual father of St. Gregorios, went to college with my parents before he was Orthodox and still a Catholic seminarian. Furthermore, a daughter of Deacon Gabriel was a friend of mine at high school, and she's how I became introduced to my church in the first place. When I move from Spokane to Olympia in January to attend the Evergreen State College, Deacon Gabriel will already be there waiting for me, since his state job transferred him there, and that's where his family will be living. If that's not Divine Providence, please tell me what is. I feel blessed that, despite moving across state, I will be able to continue alter-serving with my good friend Deacon Gabriel.
Thirdly, I have great respect for the Orthodox Christians of India, for keeping their faith alive for almost 2,000 years, despite persecutions from Muslims, Hindus, Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and others.
I'm sorry if I've talked too much already. Please share, if you are a fellow convert, how you converted to the Orthodox faith, and how you chose the jurisdiction to which you belong. If you are not a convert, please also tell what jurisdiction you belong to, and what you like about it.
Peace.
