...despite having maintained the faith unchanged from the apostles and their successors; despite having a continuous history in the very places where Christ and the apostles walked and taught (Jerusalem, Thessalonica, Corinth, etc.); despite producing innumerable saints and martyrs (more in the 20th century than the first 300 years combined); and despite never experiencing a reformation or splintering into many differing “denominations,” it was a secret to us as it may be to you.

 

There are a number of reasons Orthodoxy has remained a “secret” in America and much of the western hemisphere.  We can share these with you later.  But for now, the question we will ask you today is: Will the Orthodox Church remain a secret to you?

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We hope not, as those of us who have come to the Church from a wide variety of different spiritual backgrounds have found a peace and groundedness in Orthodoxy beyond our wildest dreams.  This is our only motivation for wanting to share it with you. 

 

We know firsthand what it was like to spend years searching among the plethora of western denominations and non-denominations for something that simply doesn’t exist there.   We know what it was like trying to quench our deep spiritual thirst “in a land of shallow wells” and sometimes muddy puddles.

 

We want to be completely honest with you – To follow Christ and to grow into the likeness of God within the Orthodox Church will demand something from you.  Sometimes it will demand a lot of you!  It will require self-honesty and discipline.  It will challenge you (yet with a grace that always takes into consideration our current weaknesses).

 

Despite the popularized, modern “Christian” message of comfort and convenience, real Christianity, while full of rewards, requires some effort and a lot of humility.  It seeks a transformation from the inside out.  But not even God can do that unless we are willing and engaged in the process.  As we repeat often in our worship: “Let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.”

 

We realize we may “lose” people with this talk of effort.  It’s a risk we’re willing to take, since we know there is no other way.  Jesus Christ, the Son and Word of God in the flesh, confirms this: “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matt. 7:14).

 

Be assured, however, that you will only find sinners among us; but sinners who are struggling for sanctity, to overcome “the sin which so easily ensnares us” (Heb. 12:1).  We know it is possible because others have done it.  We have the example of thousands who came before us, whom we can reference for direction and encouragement.  We have the spiritual teachings of this 2,000-year-old Church that provide something of a road map to union with the living God.  In the Orthodox Church we are blessed to have, not merely clever ideas and concepts, but real “medicine” for healing the human heart.

We encourage you to take a little time to review the information on this site; to read through a few of the stories of real people in the Wenatchee Valley who found their home in the Orthodox Church (Link).  You are welcome to contact them with questions. 

 

We hope you will take advantage of the offer to receive the complimentary book, “Know the Faith,” which will explain much about the Orthodox Church, as compared and contrasted with the teachings of other Christian communions.

 

All that is left is to begin...