CataChumen Lost-Who shall I join to worship?????

[Stepanov]

I hope to venerate his relic one day, God willing. Do you think it would be inappropriate to hug his sarcophagous?

No. When I was there I saw people doing that.

I agree. I don't think that would be inappropriate at all.

Holy Virgin Cathedral is an amazing church.

They also have a pretty good Orthodox bookstore there, as well.

The Cathedral is located in a decidely Russian section of San Francisco. There are many Russian restaurants, delis, and shops along Geary Blvd. there.

[rat]

I too, am also having a hard time trying to find a proper church to join.
Due to my lack of religious upbringing, I havn't any background to go by and I can't seem to understand the differences between the various factions in Orthodoxy.The more I read it seems the less I understand.

I was planning to inquire about becoming a catachumen in ROCOR this next sunday, but with the various controversies going on I am in doubt as to whether I should.

From what I've read I consider myself to be a conserverative old calendarist, and I want a church that isn't ecumenist. Is there anywhere a comprehensive comparitive guide to all the various factions
in Orthodoxy?

Please pray for me.

[OrthodoxyOrDeath]

I don't know of any comprehensive guide.

I too was very confused when I first started looking at the various "Old Calendar" groups, and I understand exactly what you mean by, "the more I read the more I am confused".

Sooner or later though, it does start to make sense. Keep reading, and study the origins of each group making a distinction between "rumor" /opinion and what is really discernable. This is important.

[Natasha]

Hugging? I have never seen such a thing...really it seems strange to me. When I was in Russia I saw people doing prostrations and that type of thing, but a hug?

[romiosini]

Hugging? I have never seen such a thing...really it seems strange to me. When I was in Russia I saw people doing prostrations and that type of thing, but a hug?

Christ is Risen!

I very believe the people who love dearly Saint John would do that. If it were me, I would've done that and with prostations. In Aegina, people lay their heads on Saint Nectarius's sarcophagous, and her Saint Nectarius doing noises from the inside of Holy Tomb! Oh yes! If you thought hugging was unusual, wait till you see people laying their heads wierdly on the Tomb hearing noises from the Saint!