Step 1: Go to Church
Quit researching; if you actually are considering Orthodoxy, you owe yourself a favor to “come and see”. You can read the daylights out of every book, but if you actually get into real Orthodoxy and not just a made up version in your head, you will come to see that it’s not very big on having the “correct doctrine” or a “logical framework”. Orthodoxy above all is practical, not ideological. You come and participate, and that’s where it actually counts. Otherwise, it would be a religion for intellectuals and no one else. You can learn the doctrinal stuff later, but if you’re serious you need to just up and go already.
These are two major Eastern Orthodox Church directories in America:
Orthodox World is a worldwide directory, but not all of their information is up-to-date, and they also promote Oriental Orthodox churches as well (long story short: not recommended). Still, if you live somewhere where Orthodoxy is not common, it can be useful for seeing what is closest to you, or whether there is one in your country at all. For example, while you may not expect it, there are a handful of churches in China, Venezuela, Cuba, and even places like the UAE. Even remote places like Grenada in the Carribbean, Fiji, or other places.
Above all:
- Do not tell yourself a church is “too far”. There are Orthodox Christians in Africa as we speak who will literally walk 15 miles to get to the nearest parish; you can spare an hour or even a couple hours to go at least occassionally. If there really is nothing close or there’s some other circumstance, See: Exile guide.
- Do not tell yourself it’s too intimidating. Yes, Orthodoxy is pretty foreign to the outside world (which is on purpose) but the clergy and laity there are going to help you, no doubt. Especially the clergy though.
- Do not ignore talking with the priest! He is going to answer most of your questions and he is responsible for his church and for you. He is going to help you, and you’ll be talking with him a lot more later so it’s good to start early. Again, if you have any questions, ask your priest!
- Do not get overzealous; remain humble. You’re job as an inquirer (which is what you are if you have not been catechized or baptized) is to listen and learn. It’s not wrong to chat about former grievances with your previous heterodox church or ideology or religion, but let’s keep things clear: you are just starting to scratch the gigantic surface of the giant iceberg that is Orthodoxy. You have not “made it”. Yes, you’ve found the pearl of great price, which is wonderful! However, this is not through your own effort; it is God’s providence that you even know this exists. Keep that in mind, and please do not act as if you know so much. You will get humbled very quickly when that happens, so temper that zeal and turn your knowledge into wisdom with patience and experience, and learn to listen first and speak second.
Once you’ve been coming to your church for a couple months, come back here and continue to the next portion of this guide, which will link to catechumen classes for more “head knowledge”.
“With fear of God, and with faith and love, draw near.” - The Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom