When I graduated from high school, I wanted to study archaeology and religion. This had been my passion since 4th grade when I saw Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
So, in the summer of 2001, I moved from my small hometown in Iowa to the big city of Minneapolis to study at the University of Minnesota.
Two weeks after moving into the dorms—and I was one of the lucky ones because I had a sink in my room—the unthinkable happened: 9/11.
Like every other American, my world turned upside down in an instant. We were all afraid.
And, so, like everyone else, I turned to my faith to help me through it. I found a church in Minneapolis of the Protestant denomination I grew up in, but, instead of comfort, I found more confusion.
This church was nothing like the one I grew up in. This congregation had a completely different understanding of who Jesus was and how to understand the Bible.
I thought to myself, “What happened to the church founded by Christ and entrusted to the Apostles?”
It took me three years of searching and traveling to Greece, but I finally found my answer.
The church started by Christ, the one organized by the Apostles, the one which conquered the Roman Empire was still alive and well. Though, today, we know it as the Orthodox Church.
It was here, in the Orthodox Church, that I drew near to Christ. It was here that learned the life-saving message of scripture.
And, so, now I’ve dedicated my life to Christ as a priest, and I do my best to faithfully preach the gospel as it’s always been preached.
Amazing. I was amazed at your story. I have never known priests well. I am old today and my memory of priests who were in the churches of my youth did not seek to communicate as you do. I have always felt defensive about religion and the Greeks that I knew. When I left Dubuque to start a new company for a friend in Freeport I avoided an association with this small Greek community. I felt that being Greek was a fulltime job and I didn’t have the time for two jobs.Please stay in touch. Thanks very much.
Thanks Gus. I appreciate your comments. Please keep us in your prayers!
Dear Father,
I visited an Greek Orthodox Monastary in Arizona while on vacation. I spoke to a young priest at the THE bookstore who suggested a couple of books on the Orthodox faith. I was raised in Lutheran church and attend Roman Catholic parish in Dubuque, I would like to visit your church in the future. We have met before at Farmer’s Market last year, I am the ACCORDION PLAYER.
Yes, you’re welcome anytime. Our main service on Sunday mornings is at 10 am.
Father,
Thanks for sharing this incredible story of conversion to the Holy Orthodox faith. My family and I (my wife, two kids, and myself) recently converted to Orthodoxy. We have been “officially” Orthodox for little over a month, after about a year of catechesis (spelling?).
I had to comment and say it’s striking how similar your story of conversion was to mine! It’s also inspiring that you are a “convert” as they call us. My family comes from the Pentecostal/Charismatic-Protestant background. I was taking a discipleship class at the Protestant church we were attending when our Pastor warned me about another prominent pastor.
It baffled me but opened my eyes to the world I was in. Conflicting theology? Pastors fighting about other pastors? Who was right? I eventually realized I was in a world of opinions, not truth. I did some digging online and I started looking at and researching the ancient churches. Somehow I came across the beautiful ancient faith known as Orthodoxy. (I think I first discovered “Ancient Faith Radio,” which has a wealth of information)
After some serious reading and a few visits to the local Orthodox parish, we met with the parish Priest and the rest is history! Glory to God!
Thanks again for sharing!
Mario,
May God bless you and your family. I pray your journey in Orthodoxy bears much fruit!
Fr. Dustin