Nevski wrote:OrthodoxyOrDeath wrote:Nevski,
If the OCA communed the Orientals, then the Amenian lady and the Jacobites who attend our OCA parish on a regular basis could receive communion there. They cannot, because the OCA does not commune the non-Chalcedonians, nor does it permit its members to commune in their churches.
Actually, I went to a midwestern OCA parish where this was indeed occurring on a large scale with Ethiopian Orthodox "for pastoral reasons".
Joe Suaiden
http://www.roac.tk
Nevski wrote:In other words, all you're giving us is hearsay. Could you provide the names and dioceses of those parishes, the approximate dates of the events, and the names of the priests who communed them? Similar allegations were made by people on the Indiana List some time ago, but when pressed for this information, they suddenly got short on specifics.
Sure. I believe it was in Milwaukee WI, and there was actually a program for a sort of common catechesis. Lots of nice Ethiopian Icons there too. It was about two months ago and I went with friends. Very nice parish, and they had some nice reason ("if we don't, they'll eventually bring their own priest here"). But it was still happening.
Joe Suaiden
http://www.roac.tk
OrthodoxyOrDeath wrote:Natasha,
I've noticed the Russians in our church come and stand in one spot and hardly move even a step during the whole liturgy.
Is there some kind of Russian practice with regards to this which I am unaware of?
Well, at least one of the Russians you know, and I was taught similar, just hate the folding chairs, and if you move too much, you aren't paying attention to the service 
so it's really more of a thing, you know? I've actually noticed though that when the chairs are around the edges people seem to sit much more freely. So I think it's just a comfort issue in terms of arrangement, if it's a question on pyschology
Well, at least one of the Russians you know, and I was taught similar, just hate the folding chairs, and if you move too much, you aren't paying attention to the service so it's really more of a thing, you know? I've actually noticed though that when the chairs are around the edges people seem to sit much more freely. So I think it's just a comfort issue in terms of arrangement, if it's a question on pyschology
I've seen enough Russians to know it is a distinct practice of theirs to cement their feet to the floor, a practice I admire. And you know they're Russian because they do their prostrations, something which most Greeks ALSO think is just a Russian practice! 
If you were just visiting, how do you know the priest is not making them sign a confession of faith?
That parish in Milwaukee is an excellent example of an Orthodox parish. Fr Thomas turned the parish from a wasted inner city ghetto with 20 Russians left to a thriving, multi-ethnic community, even reaching out to the poor blacks and Hispanics in the area. How many of our Old Calendar Churches are doing this?
Anastasios
Disclaimer: Many older posts were made before my baptism and thus may not reflect an Orthodox point of view.
Please do not message me with questions about the forum or moderation requests. Jonathan Gress (jgress) will be able to assist you.
Please note that I do not subscribe to "Old Calendar Ecumenism" and believe that only the Synod of Archbishop Kallinikos is the canonical GOC of Greece. I do believe, however, that we can break down barriers and misunderstandings through prayer and discussion on forums such as this one.
anastasios wrote:If you were just visiting, how do you know the priest is not making them sign a confession of faith?
That would have been brought up in the explanation of why it was occurring to placate the listener... wouldn't it?
That parish in Milwaukee is an excellent example of an Orthodox parish. Fr Thomas turned the parish from a wasted inner city ghetto with 20 Russians left to a thriving, multi-ethnic community, even reaching out to the poor blacks and Hispanics in the area. How many of our Old Calendar Churches are doing this?
Anastasios
A couple do reach out-- and in any case that's no excuse to commune heresy. Most African Americans are not of Ethiopian descent, so that's a cover. As a Hispanic, I would rather have the faith than be coddled. The Milwaukee parish is a great example of a civic center. But as one person who went with me put it: all community, no Church.
And right back at you: how many of our New Calendar Churches are doing this? You know the numbers, proportionally, are just as low, IF NOT LOWER.
Joe,
I am not using it as an excuse. Just saying we shouldn't be so harsh and quick to judge.
Did the priest himself tell you this?
I don't know if I buy the idea that it is just a community center with "no church." I have heard other people give rave reviews.
I doubt the numbers are lower in New C Churches if at least for the Antiochian missions.
I'm not saying that we should excuse error but let's not be so harsh on people who are trying their best to live out Orthodoxy as they know it.
Anastasios
Disclaimer: Many older posts were made before my baptism and thus may not reflect an Orthodox point of view.
Please do not message me with questions about the forum or moderation requests. Jonathan Gress (jgress) will be able to assist you.
Please note that I do not subscribe to "Old Calendar Ecumenism" and believe that only the Synod of Archbishop Kallinikos is the canonical GOC of Greece. I do believe, however, that we can break down barriers and misunderstandings through prayer and discussion on forums such as this one.