Incensed... and drawn to Orthodoxy

Instead of studying for my Physics final, I stayed up all evening reading about the historical origins of various canticles and hymns. I find myself inexorably drawn to Orthodox Christianity. (There is a little pun there in inexorably... inexorable comes from the Latin inexorabilis, which literally translates to "ouside of prayer" ie: beyond hope that prayer can prevent what is going to happen next.)

Long ago I passed judgment on the Catholic church in my personal life. Although I give them freedom to worship as they please, I can never be a Catholic for various theological reasons. I find that many of these reasons do not exist in the Orthodox church. Furthermore, and moreover, there is a response in my being to an immediate and primal demand for accountability. Did you know that an Orthodox Christian can expect to spend approximately half the year in at least some form of fasting? Why does that appeal to me so much? Perhaps it is because I am ill by protestants that go to church on sunday and keep their Christianity in the back pocket of the pants they wear on that day. Perhaps it is because of Galatians (4:10-11)

10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11 I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.

Worship is for every day of every week, not for Christmas day, and not for sunday. Even with that, it is better to believe and not attend, than to attend for show, and not believe. Perhaps the monastery is for me after all.