Finding Faith Far From Home

Author: Mauretta Patitsas

When you explore a new place and get out of your comfort zone, you learn a lot about

your relationship with God.

This summer, I have been graced by God with the opportunity of a lifetime, to

understand both the joy and sorrow of Christianity in the context of a fallen land. To hold

a piece of the grief and joy, and to be able to represent Orthodox faithful in my country,

in my state, and in my community.

Back in 2023, right after I graduated college, I moved across the country to Fort Worth,

TX from Columbus, OH with no family and no friends. All I had was a job offer, a Greek

Orthodox church, Saint Demetrios, and whatever belongings fit in my parents Honda

Odyssey. After having a not too typical college experience filled with a pandemic, death

of loved ones very dear to me, and of course a healthy dose of young adult soul

searching, I was ready for a new chapter which would allow me to heal and grow closer

to Christ.

After only applying to one job, and somehow getting it, I got the news that I would be

moving across the country. The night I found out, I was up all night thinking about how

different my life was about to be and how far I would be from everything I know.

Through the intercessions of Saint Xenia, whom I prayed to frequently, I trusted that this

was God’s plan for me, no matter how crazy it seemed.

Though I have never been on an official Pilgrimage, my year and a half stint in Texas

taught me so much in my faith- how to trust in God, how to establish yourself in a

parish, and welcome others even when you are new yourself. The importance of

community in the church, of leadership, and of being a good listener too. I hosted dinner

parties at my house, inviting all the young women I met at church to join me, to get

everyone acquainted with each other. I learned quickly that a warm meal warms the

heart, and welcoming others first is always the right choice, whether you are young or

old, new or veteran, cradle or convert.

I had health scares all alone and wondered how many other lonely people in the world

need to be prayed for. I baked bread in quantities for a big Greek family, the only way I

knew how, and gave my extra loaves to a homeless woman I saw frequently on the

street. I chanted a weekly Wednesday Paraklesis as a head chanter and looked forward

to the mid-week pick me up and time with my spiritual Father for confession. I learned to

find God in loneliness, in strangers, at work and in the mundane silence of a studio

apartment.

Slowly the mundane turned into a blossoming friend group of devout Orthodox

Christians, both cradle and convert, who gave me a whole new outlook on how to

approach my faith: unceasingly and unapologetically- in the church and in my daily life.

Now back in Ohio, I am asking God what is next for me. Pilgrimage of Discovery will

provide me a chance to connect to God at such a pivotal crossroad in my life. Being

selected for this Pilgrimage has shown me already that God is calling me to be a

disciple, spread the good news, and keep the faith. I can’t wait to experience it, and

share it with you all.