A Missing Generation in Orthodox Christian America - Ethnicity Issues

Before I begin, I want to state that these posts will most likely come across as apologetics. Upon my own return to the Church 17 years ago I encountered some push back from converts who were appalled at my basic lack of Christian knowledge.  Their observations weren't incorrect as I fumbled on how to explain myself.  It is my hope that I will at least shed some light into what some cradle Orthodox Christians faced in the US.

DISCLAIMER: I don't speak for everyone but I am willing to bet that many cradle Orthodox Gen X'ers have some of these things in common with me.  I'm not looking for pity or an excuse for what happened.  Just sorta laying out how things were/are.  

So, here we go.

It is very hard to have an ethnic name in WASP America.  My beautiful maiden name had 10 letters. I could always tell when a substitute teacher calling attendance arrived at my name because she would take a deep breath and then slowwwwly sound out my last name.  Phonetically it wasn't that hard and honestly I felt even worse for the Polish kid who came after me with 13 letters. I only had a "v" that threw people off.  That poor kid had 2 letter "c's", a "y" and a "z".  He just said "here!" before the sub even attempted.  

Anyhow when your name is so distinct and ethnic sounding, you just don't fit in with the Miller's, Johnson's and Brown's of the world. I can remember times throughout high school, when the US was still involved in the Cold War, some people would raise their eyebrows over my last name. I had a boy in college tell me that he really liked me but could never take me home to meet his parents because of my name.  At first I was confused because I honestly thought he was referring to my first name which isn't terribly ethnic.  When I asked what was wrong with my first name, he laughed and said that he had meant my last name. 

Oh.  I see. 

That feeling of being different, of being excluded, of not belonging wasn't easy to bear, especially for a shy girl. I did spend fantastic summers with other "ethnic" kids at an Orthodox Christian summer camp. But in the end, we all returned to our homes and all those feelings returned.  I just didn't fit in.    

So while I really couldn't do anything about my last name, the only other option was to assimilate through behavior.  If I acted like the other kids then maybe I would no longer be on the periphery of American society.  

A rational sounding plan, no? A sort of "When in Rome..." idea.  Unfortunately, it was largely disastrous and had deep and destructive consequences.  That will be the topic of my next post. 

A Missing Generation in Orthodox Christian America - An Introduction

As I look around the nave of my church it is clear as day that there are not many people in my age demographic.  There are plenty of people 10+ years older than me and, Glory to God, an abundance of younger adults, most who are converts to Orthodox Christianity.

My age demographic is Generation X, those born 1965-1980.  I know there are Gen X Orthodox Christians out there. I went to summer camp with a whole bunch of them and there were quite a few in my parish growing up.  I can count on one hand how many have remained active in the Church.

To be clear, these posts are not meant to guilt or demand explanations from anyone.  I know what happened.  I was there and I am not in least bit surprised in the situation in which the Church finds herself.  It is my intent with this series of writings is to explore why so many are missing and what it is that keeps them away.

My vantage point:

I am of  Russian/Slavic ethnicity born in the United States, as were both of my parents and two of my grandparents. We have been in the U.S. for 110+ years and I only speak English (and whatever French I can recall from high school and college).  However if you looked at my 10-letter maiden name and looked at my face, I definitely fit the bill as someone from Eastern Europe.  And that's where the first post will start.  Ethnicity and acceptance in American society.

The Crossroads of AD and BC

An ancient temple dedicated to Zeus located in modern day Turkey

I teach 6th grade, all subjects.  While it is a monumental amount of work, I love every moment of it and wouldn't trade it for all the tea in China.

Sixth grade Social Studies standards cover the major ancient civilizations and while they are all truly astounding, Ancient Mesopotamia and Ancient Greece are the two that stand out as the most fun and engaging to teach.  Ancient Rome is a close third because 12 year-olds love volcanoes and gladiators and Ancient Rome definitely has both.

I will readily admit that I knew pretty much zero about Ancient Mesopotamia and maybe close to zero about Ancient Greece when I started teaching.  At no time of my academic development do I ever remember learning about ancient civilizations so this was relatively new to me.  As I started to learn about these times and places while organizing lessons, a huge connection to my life as a Christian manifested.  Once you learn about these real historical people and places, the Old and Testament fall into place and a whole new level of understanding arises.  

The following passage takes place in what is now modern day Turkey apparently close to a temple dedicated to the Greek god, Zeus. St. Paul and St. Barnabas are out healing the sick while evangelizing and people freak out and think St. Barnabas is Zeus incarnate and St. Paul is Hermes because of his eloquence.  Here it is from Acts 14:6-18:

⁶ they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycao′nia, and to the surrounding country;
⁷ and there they preached the gospel.
⁸ Now at Lystra there was a man sitting, who could not use his feet; he was a cripple from birth, who had never walked.
⁹ He listened to Paul speaking; and Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well,
¹⁰ said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and walked.
¹¹ And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycao′nian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”
¹² Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, because he was the chief speaker, they called Hermes.
¹³ And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the people.
¹⁴ But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out among the multitude, crying,
¹⁵ “Men, why are you doing this? We also are men, of like nature with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.
¹⁶ In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways;
¹⁷ yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”
¹⁸ With these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.

There is just so much here to think about.  It's the cultural crossroads of BC and AD.  Also, the deep humility of the apostles as they lose their minds when people try to worship them. For me though, what I especially hold onto are verses 16-17.  God had done good to these people even when they lived in darkness as those outside of His chosen people of Ancient Israel.  But now was the time for the ultimate revelation to ALL people.  And that revelation is Jesus Christ, the true incarnate God, the lover of all mankind.

Christ is Risen!

Staying True

And now another year has passed.

Updates: I started another blog and tried to keep it secular but it turns out that I just can't.  It's impossible to separate myself like that and I think I'm just going to shut it down.  Perhaps I can transfer some of the posts over here.  I was unable to be myself on that blog so I'm back to posting here.

I have a blog post that I've been thinking about for a long while, so I'm going to start that today.

May you all be healthy and safe.  Christ is Risen!

Three years have passed

since I have last posted.  A child sent off to college, a new career for me and the passing of my father...

We are at the cusp of another Lenten Season.  My hope is to start this blog up again with thoughts and ideas from others that will help us "walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." (St. Paul to the Ephesians 5:15-16)  In the past three years it appears that foolishness has run rampant and I am of the opinion that it has come to the point where we may not be able to halt the onslaught but humbly seek refuge and deflect as best as we can.

Back from Hiatus

It has been almost a year since I've posted and for no other reason than life just happens and some things simply get placed to the wayside.  Not that you all have been waiting with bated breath for my comments on the Sunday School post, but I apologize if that was the case.  It's a terrific piece and has a myriad of valid points.  Orthodoxy cannot be simply copied and pasted into existing models, especially not Protestant-based ones.  To learn the Bible is to experience it the Liturgy.  The following link outlines the use of Holy Scripture during the Divine Liturgy. Scripture in the Divine Liturgy.  Pretty awesome if you ask me.

At any rate, I'm back and I'm going to try to post more often.  I'm currently doing some post graduate work, trying to launch a second (or third if you count stay-at-home mom) career.  Pray for me.  That Demon of Noonday is a pest for sure.

Love to all who visit this blog and wishing you a fruitful Lenten season!

Children and the Church

Christ is Risen!

Here's a fantastic article about educating children in the Church.  I recommend everyone read it, even if you don't have kids.

The Epic Search for an Orthodox Christian Curriculm

I have so much to say about this.  Let me gather my thoughts and try to put something coherent together in the next few days.