The OCA has changed a lot since 1973 
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Defining Ecumenism
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Protopriest Dionysi
- Jr Member
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Tue 8 July 2003 1:01 pm
- Location: Ipswich, Mass
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In regards to the priest, he should be aware of what will occur where he will be giving the lecture. It, would also be good for him to evaluate what he is doing there. Is it just a "plain", non evangelising lecture, communicating to the otheres that there is no "real difference" between the two groups? This then would turn out to be nothing more than an empty intellectual spectacle, designed at making everyone "feel good".
I have seen the fruits of such talks, and have even been the victim of such as a Uniate. We walked away with a wee bit more knowledge of "neat" words or "methodology", but without the faith. Even worse, we walked away with the thought of "being alright", because the priest did not bring up the fact that not only were we not alright, but to that to really use these things he taught us about, WE NEEDED TO BE IN THE CHURCH.
Good ecumenism is the the conversion of the non-Orthodox to Orthodoxy. This does not mean that we have to be rude to them or distant, but always trying to convey the Truth to them. What is the thruth? Our Lord, His Chuch, and the worlds need to be part of it. Anything less, is a lie.