Distance doesn’t disqualify you from becoming Orthodox. It just means the process takes more intentionality.
Living far from an Orthodox parish is a real challenge, and we won’t pretend otherwise. Orthodoxy isn’t designed for isolation. We’re a liturgical people. The Eucharist is the center of everything we do, and you can’t receive that through a screen. But if you’re genuinely drawn to the Church and the nearest parish is an hour away (or two, or three), that’s not the end of the conversation.
What You Can Do From a Distance
The Antiochian Archdiocese offers E-Quip, a free online catechesis program with 73 beginner leaflets covering the basics of Orthodox faith and life. You can work through these at your own pace from anywhere. They’re designed for inquirers who want to understand what we believe before they can make it to a parish regularly. There’s also a three-year diploma course if you want to go deeper.
The Antiochian House of Studies runs distance learning programs too. They’ve been doing this since 1980, long before online education became trendy. Their St. Stephen’s Certificate in Orthodox Theology serves students all over the world, including people from other Orthodox jurisdictions and even some Catholics and Protestants who want to understand Orthodoxy better.
These resources are good. Use them. But they’re supplements, not substitutes.
What You Can’t Do From a Distance
You can’t become Orthodox without a priest. You can’t be baptized or chrismated over Zoom. You can’t receive communion through the mail. And honestly, you can’t fully understand what Orthodoxy is without standing in a Divine Liturgy, smelling the incense, hearing the chanting, watching the priest cense the icons, and feeling like you’ve stepped into something ancient and alive.
Most parishes require catechumens to attend services for at least a year before reception into the Church. That’s not arbitrary. We’re not just teaching you information. We’re forming you into a way of life. The liturgy does that in ways no book or video can.
The Practical Reality
If the nearest Orthodox church is two hours away, you’re probably not making it every Sunday. That’s just life. Maybe you work offshore on a rotation schedule. Maybe you’ve got kids with weekend sports. Maybe gas money is tight. We get it.
Here’s what you can do: Go when you can. Twice a month is better than never. Once a month is better than nothing. Talk to the priest about your situation. He’s probably dealt with this before. Some people drive long distances for months or even years while they’re preparing to enter the Church. It’s hard, but people do it because they’ve found something worth the drive.
Fr. Thomas Hopko used to say that if you’re serious about Orthodoxy, you’ll find a way to get to church. That sounds harsh, but it’s also true. If you’re just curious, distance will probably stop you. If you’re genuinely called, you’ll figure it out.
After You’re Orthodox
Once you’re received into the Church, the distance problem doesn’t go away. You’ll still need to commune regularly. You’ll still need confession. You’ll still need the community of the faithful. Some people in this situation eventually move closer to their parish. Others organize their lives around making the drive. A few have even started mission parishes in their own towns after years of traveling.
But don’t worry about that yet. Start where you are. Reach out to the nearest Orthodox parish, even if it’s far. Explain your situation. Ask if you can come when you’re able. Start reading. The Orthodox Study Bible is a good place to begin. So is “The Orthodox Church” by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware.
Distance is an obstacle, not a wall. People in rural Alaska and West Texas and the middle of nowhere have become Orthodox. If God is calling you to this, he’ll make a way. It just might not be convenient.
