An appeal from ROCA clergy

Elijah · Post by **Elijah** » Thu 8 July 2004 4:43 pm

Justin Kissel wrote:
Intercommunion among the laity has been the generally accepted de facto practice throughout our Church for many years, and we now hope for concelebration among the clergy as well. - Source

Would it be wrong of me to be scandalized by this? Am I just being a silly convert who has naive expectations (I ask seriously, I am not being sarcastic)?

I think I can answer this question for you. Many priests within ROCOR/ROCA can and do give permission to their spiritual children if it is requested to take communion in Orthodox churches outside of our church even if they are not in communion with us. When we are "in communion" with another church that means that our priests can serve and take communion in that church. The rules are much less strict for laymen than with priests. Of course there are many(if not most) priests that won't give this permission. My personal opinion is that we shouldn't to this but it is done. I wouldn't even take communion at a Serbian Orthodox Church (even though they are fully in communion with us) because of their ecumenical views and such but that is just me.

joasia · Post by **joasia** » Thu 8 July 2004 6:11 pm

Justin,

As to the quote Elijah chose....the union with ROCA and the MP is a different matter than for the general Ecumenical unions. But, there have been inter-relations with the MP and Ecumenical churches. So that is an issue, I'm sure the clergy are also addressing.

TomS · Post by **TomS** » Thu 8 July 2004 7:23 pm

Joasia wrote:
Tom,

Do you have NO understanding about the struggles that ROCA went through these passed 80 years?

You did not answer my question, did you?

joasia · Post by **joasia** » Thu 8 July 2004 7:32 pm

What question did you ask ME, Tom?

TomS · Post by **TomS** » Thu 8 July 2004 8:11 pm

Joasia wrote:
What question did you ask ME, Tom?

How do they have a difference in FAITH?

joasia · Post by **joasia** » Thu 8 July 2004 8:23 pm

Tom,

Forgive me for my confusion. Your question to priestmark came before I posted my commentary so I was confused as to why you quoted me. I was asking YOU a simple question. All you could have said was, yes or no.

Shouldn't you be addressing priestmark, since he is the one you quoted first?

Or.... are you just trying to be difficult? I've noticed that about you on other posts.

TomS · Post by **TomS** » Thu 8 July 2004 9:12 pm

Joasia wrote:
Tom,

Or.... are you just trying to be difficult? I've noticed that about you on other posts.

Okay -- let's take this from the top. I posted THIS question --

TomS wrote:
priestmark wrote:
It would be utterly impossible for us to share in the Eucharistic Mysteries before there is complete unity of
Faith, in honesty and fidelity to the legacy of the Russian
Orthodox Church Abroad and Her God-granted mission to
preserve the Truth.

Why does not ROCA share the same FAITH?

Yes, they may not agree with the way the church was run during Soviet Era, but how is the FAITH different?

Then you posted THIS:

Joasia wrote:
Tom,

Do you have NO understanding about the struggles that ROCA went through these passed 80 years?

The struggle was very different. It's very important to make sure that all is right between the two before the union is made.

These clergy are voicing that concern.

Which was obviously responding to my earler question. Yet not really answering my question.

So who is being difficult here?