source – newsbreak.gr (follow the link to read the original Greek text)
The trend of Muslims turning to Christianity is becoming increasingly intense.
A quiet but steady social and religious shift has been taking place in recent years within the circles of the Greek Orthodox churches of Constantinople. The older members of the community call them “newly enlightened,” and they no longer speak of isolated cases, but of dozens of citizens of Turkey who, coming from different religious and cultural backgrounds, choose to embrace Orthodox Christianity.
The spiritual preparation and the process of catechism
According to a report by Manolis Kostidis in Kathimerini, this transition is neither random nor superficial. The Church has established strict criteria, beginning with the submission of an application that is examined by a special committee. The goal is to discern the sincerity and spiritual maturity of those interested, so that their integration into Orthodoxy constitutes a conscious and free choice.
This is followed by an intensive catechism program, which may last from six months to one year, during which candidates are introduced to liturgical life and tradition, with the final destination being the sacrament of Baptism.
Personal journeys of faith and inner search
The personal stories of these people reveal a deep inner search.
Savvas, 45 years old, a former Muslim who had no particular connection with religion, found his path after a dream that led him to a church on the Bosporus.
“Until eight years ago I was a Muslim, but I had no relationship with religion, nor any particular contact with the Christian faith. One Friday night I saw a dream. I woke up full of anxiety and mentioned it to my wife. Then she told me that there is a church in Neochori, on the Bosporus, and to go light a candle. There I met Mr. Laki Vingas, who was responsible for the community.”
Despite bureaucratic difficulties, he also baptized his children, choosing to raise them with the values of the Greek Orthodox culture.
A similar path is that of Nikolaos, formerly Shahab, who waited until he became financially independent before following his will.
“My name now is this. Before they called me Shahab. Some from my grandmother’s family had roots from ‘Romioi’ (Greeks), but they did not go often to church. When I grew up, I wanted it and decided to proceed to become a Christian. I was a Muslim, but on paper. Now I am happy. To make the decision I had to stand on my own feet, not depend on anyone and live as I wanted. Then I went on my own will to the church and asked them to help me. I did two years of catechism. I have friends from all over Turkey with me. For five days I did not sleep from anxiety and now my joy is great.”
From Iran and Smyrna: A new life in Orthodoxy
This trend is not limited to Turkish citizens, as entire families of refugees are also encountered, such as that of Christoforos and his daughter Anthousa from Iran.
After an odyssey of persecution due to their religious beliefs, they found in Orthodoxy their own spiritual freedom.
“I had great anxiety, but now I am particularly happy and feel great satisfaction that I made this step,” says Anthousa, describing their integration into the community as the realization of a dream.
These people are taking a real risk. What great news they have found Orthodoxy.
I met many young Turks who told me they have Greek ancestry. One guy’s family was from Trabzounta. He spoke to me in Romeika. I told him in English. You are a Greek brother…speak Greek. I urged him to read Omer Asan’s book how Pontian/Romeika is Greek.
Thanks to the Janissaries (young Greek boys who were kidnapped from their families during the Ottoman occupation, taken to the Sultan’s palace, Islamicized and trained to be his fanatic elite soldiers – roughly 80,000 altogether) many modern day Turks have Greek ancestry and obvious Greek features. Glory to God that they have started undergoing strict catechism and returning to their Orthodox roots. The Church should make strict catechism mandatory for all Greek adults if they want to baptize their children Orthodox because most of them don’t know anything about the Orthodox faith so as to teach their own children. It is just assumed that because they are Greek, they also read the Bible, go to Church and Sunday School and so on. This has to stop. As much care should be taken to catechize the Greek people as the Turkish coverts on Orthodoxy.