Evangelism

There is a growing movement of people joining the Orthodox Church from other Christian backgrounds. Many people find in the Orthodox Church something radically different and more Christlike than what they knew. We have received several new Orthodox Christians in our parish in recent years. There are two ways a person becomes Orthodox: 1. through Baptism, or 2. through Chrismation. If a person has received trinitarian Baptism, he or she is brought into the Church by the sacrament of Chrismation. The sacrament of Baptism automatically includes the sacrament of Chrismation.

Most Orthodox churches have only recently discovered the need for evangelism, and some congregations have still not come to the realization that evangelism is what Christ commands us to do! But even when we don’t evangelize people who are hungry and thirsty for genuine Christianity find us one way or another. As they used to say, Orthodoxy is a well-kept secret. Not any longer. Many parishes have been transformed. Everywhere in the country you will come across people and whole groups of people who have found true faith in a local Orthodox parish.

Our evangelistic tools and outreach methods are not additional things we have to learn. What we are and what we do as Orthodox Christians are our evangelistic means! Here are some starters.

The Liturgy is the primary means of evangelizing. How can it be otherwise? If a person is not drawn to our way of worship, why would he or she come back? Participation in the Liturgy and the Eucharist is our weekly or daily food that shapes and forms us in the image of Christ. Liturgy is where we are shown to be Orthodox and where we invite others to join us in worshipping One God in Trinity, as revealed in the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Second Person (Hypostasis) of the Holy Trinity, and in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, who sanctifies us when we believe and leads us to transformation, deification, theosis.

Religious Education is essential to evangelism and it is especially strong in our parish – through substantive preaching, Bible Study, and Catechesis. Newcomers to the Orthodox faith receive personalized catechism that can be varied according to a person’s background.

Fellowship and Welcoming of Visitors and Guests. If you come to our Liturgy on a Sunday morning, please stay for fellowship after Liturgy! You won’t be alone.

The Greek Festival. This is a built-in advantage that most Greek Orthodox parishes have. It is the only time in the year that literally hundreds and even thousands of people enter our church grounds. We offer church tours and opportunities for people to ask questions and learn about our faith if they are interested. Come enjoy our food and pastries, and music and dancing. It might also be your first encounter with an Orthodox community.

Orthodoxy is an “intrusive religion.” It affects every area of a person’s or a family’s life. People look for holistic faith, and traditions of faith that bring faith into dialogue with everyday life. Food, for example. The Orthodox Church has the strictest guidelines for fasting among all Christian, Jewish and Moslem religions and sects. How do we tell people about fasting without turning them off? And yet, people look for religions that are not just words. They look for religion that cares for the whole human being. The sacraments and the healing and sanctifying acts and rituals of the Church leave no aspect of life untouched by the presence of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Converts to the Orthodox faith might wonder, “How long do I remain a convert? When do I stop being seen as a convert?” The term convert should be put to rest. Once a person has joined the Orthodox Church through baptism or chrismation, that person is an Orthodox Christian, period. However, we are all converts, regardless of whether we were baptized as infants or entered the Church as adults. All of us are converts for life. Because we are always converting to Jesus Christ, always moving to the likeness that Scripture promises and which the Church calls ‘theosis’. Thats the goal, to become like Christ, to become like God, to be transformed to the likeness of his glory.

Transformation is at the core of the Orthodox mission. The icon of Transfiguration in our church beckons us to illumination by Christ in the Church that he established before his Crucifixion, the Orthodox Church.

Our parish has been enriched by members of various nationalities and backgrounds and by many who have embraced the Orthodox faith and practice with joy and love. We look forward to more seekers coming through our doors and allowing the Liturgy to draw them into union with Christ in the Eucharist and in fellowship with his people here in Portland.

ALL ARE WELCOME!

If you’re reading this and feel drawn, come on a Sunday morning.
Or email Father Constantine at frcsaran@gmail.com.
Or call or text (207) 831-3016.
With hope and trust in the Lord and His Spirit
we welcome you to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.