I became Orthodox about 10 years ago, but I've been interested in Orthodoxy for decades (for most of that time I was living too far from an Orthodox church to do anything about it).
I became Orthodox about 10 years ago, but I've been interested in Orthodoxy for decades (for most of that time I was living too far from an Orthodox church to do anything about it).
Sorry about the delay in replying to your message. The typical service length does sound quite daunting. At my local church it is more like 3 hours (and the main service for Pascha itself will be even longer – nearly 5 hours by the time finishes at 02.30 on Easter morning). But Orthodox churches are very tolerant about people slipping in and out of services (if things get too much for me, I know I can simply go out to the church hall for a while). What I appreciate about Orthodox worship is its predictability (once you're familiar with the Liturgy, you can attend any Orthodox Liturgy in any language and know what's going on). And my local church is very comfortable with neurodivergent and learning disabled people.
If you're interested, there is a book on the church and disability by Summer Kinard (an autistic Orthodox lay theologian): Of Such Is the Kingdom. It is primarily about making the church more welcoming to families of disabled children, but she also says a good deal about the Orthodox view of disability and neurodivergence.
That is interesting to read. I was baptised in a Catholic church and attended a Catholic school to 19. I am a Christian but non denominational now. I won't join a denomination today and see myself as a folllower of Christ which he asked us to be at mininium. I have been to different church's in my life and they were all at with one cause. I have looked at the Orthodox teachings and don't disagree with what I read. I align with many denominations though and like to be inclusive. I was particularly drawn to read the teachings for your denomination because of this discussion about the creation and I like that the denomination you are joined do not go out to try and be scientific on how the world was created and support ex nihilo. I have not come across an Orthodox neurodiverse before you and I know some commitment is needed like 2 hours services which is quite hard for me with my autism and I attend shorter Anglican and Catholic services today. I am glad that you have found something you are comfortable with and it shows how diverse neurodiverse people can be..
