www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology How can I help my wife come back to the Church

Dear Friends,

I need some help here. I am trying to help my wife of 9 years come back to the Church.
As some of you may know, I married my wife in the Greek Orthodox Church. We baptized our daughter there some 16 months ago.
As long as I've known her, she has never been to confession nor received Holy Communion. She is a wonderful honest person, wife and mother and I'm sure God knows that.
I think she has been influenced growing up by her father too much about the Church and priests.
As our daughter becomes more aware I suspect that she will be asking questions.
At one time in my life, I had even thought of converting to Orthodox so we as a family would be in ecclesiastical communion.
It was decided that the responsibility of our daughter's (and future children, God willing) religious education would be mine and the Catholic School system in Toronto.
I would really like to know how I can contribute (other than by example) to my wife's rediscovery of faith.

Thanks
Brad

Dear Brad,

My own advice is for you to become as "Macedonian-sympathetic" as possible!

You could promote the veneration of Macedonian Saints at home and in full view of dear old dad-in-law, sometimes celebrate at home one or two Macedonian holidays - never forgetting Alexander the Great! Heaven forbid!!

I'll send you a lapel pin with the image of Alexander the Great that you can wear .

The Slavs are used to their Churches as embodiments and defenders of their nationality, national culture etc.

Once you get on that band-wagon, you will have started the process to get your family to see religion in a way they've always understood it - and this will, I believe, influence your wife who was brought up in that culture.

Slavs and Greeks of the old country may always have something to say about "church politics and priests," but they themselves are the most political when it comes to religion and this is just a way to "keep religion at bay."

I would take that approach and see what happens.

At home, be as Macedonian and as Orthodox as you can.

Alex

Alex,
You've come through for me yet again.

The Macedonian Saints I had in mind, and the ones that my Father-in-law always talks about are Sts. Cyril & Methodius and St. Clement of Ohrid.
Perhaps I will purchase an icon of them.

Thanks for your insight, I had never thought of taking the "ethnic" route.

Brad

Here is the Prolouge of Ohrid, I don't know how it relates to your situation at hand but it came to mind anyway. Maybe there is something there that can help.
http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/prolog.htm

Pani Rose

[laff] Didn't you attend your own wedding?

I'll keep the two of you in my prayers as well.

I am an old Gael and that means I get to love...everybody's saints...in equal and opposite measure...ha!!

Mary Elizabeth O'Neal Lanser

Dear Brad,

And don't forget to get yourself an indoor Macedonian flag - the old one with the full Star of Vergina of Alexander!

The full star has 16 points, but there were versions that had 8 . . .

These 8 pointed stars, it is said, contributed to the development of the eight-pointed Greek Cross with + and x on top of each other . . .

Take in a Macedonian festival once in a while as well as a Divine Liturgy at a Macedonian Orthodox Church.

You might also consider having your daughter learn Macedonian or take classes of some sort about her Macedonian heritage.

This will win points for you all around - and then when you Cross yourself, everybody will follow suit.

They will take the lead from the lead (adopted) Macedonian!

Alexander II

Dear Mary,

Are you related to the "Niall Nine Hostager?"

I developed the "Irish Heritage Day Act" for Ontario which is now law!

Would you have the Red Hand of the O'Neil's in your family crest?

Alex

Thanks again Alex. I'm not to worried about winning more points with my in-laws. They know exactly who I am and what I stand for.

Actually, I'm trying to help OLGS Jesus Christ through the Orthodox Church win more point with my wife, and if so, my father in law.

Is that the "Right Hand of Ulster" you're talking about ?

Dear Brad,

I thought it was the "Red Hand of Ulster?"

Alex

Yes you're right Alex, althought I've always referred to it as the right hand.
Legend has it that it comes from one of Ireland's many legendary invasions. The leader of a war party promised a prize to the first man to touch land with his right hand; so the winner, a left-handed man, cut off his right hand and threw it onto the shore.

Nevertheless, This has always been a symbol of the UVF, Protestantism, and Anti-Catholicism.

I was always told not to confuse the Red Hand with Nine Hostages.

My direct line is maternal of Thomas Daniel going back through Hugh Thomas to Hugh of Cork and then to the High King of Tyrone, and that Hugh, Hugh Thomas and Thomas Daniel were all Catholics and were driven out of Tyrone and off the family lands by the Protestor's Incursions!

Beyond that all is just another dim mirror!!

Lizzie-May

Dear Lizzie-May,

You are right on the Red (Right) Hand.

I once saw the Red Hand on an Irish crest and was told that the "legitimate" descendants of O'Neil are through the matriarchal line (?) as all the males were killed off . . .

Why do we have so many wonderful Irish who are interested in the Eastern Churches, do you think?

But be careful - you may soon find cradle Eastern Catholics referring to St Patrick as a "Ukrainian Saint . . ."

Alex

Dear Brad,
My advice to you would be to pray for her,morning noon and night all day long if need be.Leaving to go orthodox is something only you and your wife can deside ,give it to God in prayer and follow only him.I prayed for my husband for 10 years and as always Christ is good to me,in his time.Love your wife as Christ loved the church,in commitment and faithfulness and also with a burning desire to protect.God's blessings be upon your household.

We're all Cousin Celts ya know...

That's why there's so darn many princes in the Slavic Lands and kings in the Ire Land, and their Grand Mothers, of course.

Besides I thought they'd found evidence that Paddy's Matriarch was a Slav...from Kyiv...originally, I mean.

Lizzi-May