I am nothing.

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romiosini

Post by romiosini »

Symeon, I too understand the way you feel. Sure, the fast way out of these issues is to turn back to Anglicanism. Have you prayed on your own and asked GOD what is the right thing to do? I suggest you dear Symeon. Ask GOD to lead to whatever other Orthodox jurisdiction. It does not mean ONE jurisdiction is the Church, and when it has problems, it should be abandoned. (Of course it is right to accept the decision of the Synod. But also, Saint Basil states that we should not care what the Priests or Bishops do in the Church.) Of course, I personally do not think that 100% ROAC is undergoing a literate money issue or any simple problem. I think it's far more personal, where the devil puts his hands and takes place. Don't think that ROAC is the only Traditionalist Synod either. Remember, have faith in GOD, and whatever those bearded old men do, isn't our problem. (I'm not refering to ROAC in specific, I am speaking in general, whichever jurisdiction). Don't fall back to the old church, you will regrett it, trust me. If you can't feel well in that jurisdiction, GOD doesn't forbid you to look in another jurisdiction. Everyone smashes themselves graceless or heretic. And that shouldn't be the matter to bother you. Pride of Man does easily take over the CHURCH, and can easily manipulate it. Now, my advice for you is to do what Chrysostom said. That is the greatest help you can find. Hope you don't loose yourself, for others' mistakes.

Romiosyne

Alexis in Alaska
Jr Member
Posts: 59
Joined: Mon 4 November 2002 7:24 pm

Post by Alexis in Alaska »

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Lord, Bless!

As I prepare to move to Sitka, I will be taking the farey boat on the 15th of next month, I praise God I will be going to the Cathedral of St. Michael.
I will take many hearts with me on my journey to Sitka. I will pray before the miraculous ikon of the Theotokos of Sitka for everyone on this forum and for me a sinner.

Satan, or as the ethnic Antiochians call him: the shaytan, worked on me so masterfully well during this hurtful situation. Indeed, I am certain he desires no peace for anyone here. What joy Satan must be having over seeing sincere souls writh in anguish. He must be delighted that Orthodox must run hither and thither to find a Synod that is True. How sad that we must run to find such a thing and that His Church must always be, in these times, placed in the hands of unwise and inexperienced men. Orthodoxy is "dis-organized religion." I suppose in order to preserve the character of the Patristic Church we need to be less organized :? I dunno? But, all I know that it is for the lay people to check the Orthodoxy of their teachers and leaders. The laypeople must also know their faith. How many times have I had to do typika; how many times have I had to weep because I could not find a worthy temple or felt worthy. I know Sitka will not be Orthodox paradise as some assert; but neither will anything else. If all I have is my Icon Corner and my tattered prayerbook: than so be it. But, I know that God will make a way so that His people can experience true Religion.

As an Orthodox Christian I can never encourage a person to leave the Church, but there are various reasons people need to find other communities of faith. And I would say that if for pastoral reasons a person needed to attend an Anglican Church to find community, because of previous spiritual abuse: than I would leave that to a person's conscience. Religious and spiritual abuse is very common in traditional groups and conversely in more liberal communities. It is hard to find the Golden Mean: that rule of St. John Chrysostom and of course the Greek lovers of wisdom. I have experienced spiritual abuse before at a small Orthodox community. Spiritual abuse instead of making one penitent rather makes one fall into despair, even to the despair that one can never find hope or salvation. Spiritual abuse also occurs when church leaders abuse the trust they have given in their ordination and consecration. Abusive spiritual leaders will often say that they are the "only" true hierarch or their ecclesial community is "only" way to God; so that if you leave you are damned. Many people here have been abused; I was abused. I know I was abused; because I felt absolute hopelessness and was not only emotionally drained, but also physically sick. It took me over a week to recover spiritually and physically; because remember I was going to be baptized and Chrismated by Vl. Gregory. I had been in correspondence with him since 2001. This was a VERY painful experience for me. My solution, not for everybody, was to move and to go to a secure Orthodox community so that I might more fully participate in Alaskan Orthodoxy. I respect that many consider the OCA graceless; however, I cannot imagine anything more Orthodox than these wonderful little Alaskan Orthodox churches that have kept the faith since St. Herman and St. Innocent.

I will offer an Akathist to the Theotokos for our journey and protection; and I ask your prayers.

Lord, Bless!

In Christ God,

Alexis

Symeon

I am nothing.

Post by Symeon »

I am nothing.

Last edited by Symeon on Thu 29 July 2004 12:45 am, edited 4 times in total.
romiosini

Post by romiosini »

AlaskanOrthodox wrote:

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Lord, Bless!

As I prepare to move to Sitka, I will be taking the farey boat on the 15th of next month, I praise God I will be going to the Cathedral of St. Michael.
I will take many hearts with me on my journey to Sitka. I will pray before the miraculous ikon of the Theotokos of Sitka for everyone on this forum and for me a sinner.

Satan, or as the ethnic Antiochians call him: the shaytan, worked on me so masterfully well during this hurtful situation. Indeed, I am certain he desires no peace for anyone here. What joy Satan must be having over seeing sincere souls writh in anguish. He must be delighted that Orthodox must run hither and thither to find a Synod that is True. How sad that we must run to find such a thing and that His Church must always be, in these times, placed in the hands of unwise and inexperienced men. Orthodoxy is "dis-organized religion." I suppose in order to preserve the character of the Patristic Church we need to be less organized :? I dunno? But, all I know that it is for the lay people to check the Orthodoxy of their teachers and leaders. The laypeople must also know their faith. How many times have I had to do typika; how many times have I had to weep because I could not find a worthy temple or felt worthy. I know Sitka will not be Orthodox paradise as some assert; but neither will anything else. If all I have is my Icon Corner and my tattered prayerbook: than so be it. But, I know that God will make a way so that His people can experience true Religion.

As an Orthodox Christian I can never encourage a person to leave the Church, but there are various reasons people need to find other communities of faith. And I would say that if for pastoral reasons a person needed to attend an Anglican Church to find community, because of previous spiritual abuse: than I would leave that to a person's conscience. Religious and spiritual abuse is very common in traditional groups and conversely in more liberal communities. It is hard to find the Golden Mean: that rule of St. John Chrysostom and of course the Greek lovers of wisdom. I have experienced spiritual abuse before at a small Orthodox community. Spiritual abuse instead of making one penitent rather makes one fall into despair, even to the despair that one can never find hope or salvation. Spiritual abuse also occurs when church leaders abuse the trust they have given in their ordination and consecration. Abusive spiritual leaders will often say that they are the "only" true hierarch or their ecclesial community is "only" way to God; so that if you leave you are damned. Many people here have been abused; I was abused. I know I was abused; because I felt absolute hopelessness and was not only emotionally drained, but also physically sick. It took me over a week to recover spiritually and physically; because remember I was going to be baptized and Chrismated by Vl. Gregory. I had been in correspondence with him since 2001. This was a VERY painful experience for me. My solution, not for everybody, was to move and to go to a secure Orthodox community so that I might more fully participate in Alaskan Orthodoxy. I respect that many consider the OCA graceless; however, I cannot imagine anything more Orthodox than these wonderful little Alaskan Orthodox churches that have kept the faith since St. Herman and St. Innocent.

I will offer an Akathist to the Theotokos for our journey and protection; and I ask your prayers.

Lord, Bless!

In Christ God,

Alexis

I truly admire your sudden change of view on other Orthodox Churches such as the OCA. And also your view for the ORTHODOX faith, and how unorganized could it be and at times very anarchist and monarchist. Weep not for the bishops or priests who are in scandal today (I'm not talking directly about the ROAC, but in general all over Orthodoxy), but weep for the faithful who are scandalized by these events that you underwent. I thank GOD, you didn't fall yourself into thinking of returning to old previous faith of heretodoxy. It's a shame to say, how can GOD not be satisfied with the Diocese of Alaska when it has done so much for it's faithful.
I hope you do not go yourself spiritual beaten again, and pray for Symeon who needs that "fotisi" as we say in greek, (illumination, divine advice and knowledge from GOD), and pray for me too, I am to sinful.
Have Faith, and be steady to stand firm for Faith, and to undertake whatever punch the devil attempts to give to the Church!

Romiosini

Alexis in Alaska
Jr Member
Posts: 59
Joined: Mon 4 November 2002 7:24 pm

Post by Alexis in Alaska »

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Lord, Bless!

Romiosini:Thank you for your wonderful message; what a great bastion of encouragement you are!

Dear Symeon I am so glad you feel better and that you know that your brothers in the Lord care about you. I am glad that you are speaking to a priest also about these things.

Many Years to you my friends!

Lord, Bless!

In Christ God,

Alexis

romiosini

Post by romiosini »

Symeon? What have you been up to? What decision have you been planning to choose and do?

Symeon

I am nothing.

Post by Symeon »

I am nothing.

Last edited by Symeon on Thu 29 July 2004 12:45 am, edited 2 times in total.
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