"world orthodoxy"

[OrthodoxyOrDeath]

Like I said to OOD one time. Thank God your father brought
you up in the OCA Church. IF he didn't, perhaps OOD would
not be OOD at all, but another Protestant, Catholic or
worse yet, agnostic or not believe in God at all.

If you hold the truth, then BE the Truth, don't banter about
like some rooster who thinks he is all that. Don't push
away the very people who are most likely your closest
brothers in Christ, but you don't accept them as that, due
to their supposed beliefs.

I don't believe I could have said it better. One correction however, I was brought up (for the most part) in the GOA, and because of that it is amazing indeed I am not Protestant or gnostic. Glory to God for all things.

[fserafim]

All my Orthodox life I have only once witnessed or heard of ecumenism and that was in UK many years ago. Instead we of the MP at that time, were accused of not taking the 'others' seriously. Yes we were invited to chant vespers at a French Protestant Church and at the RC Cathedral at Westminster and Eaton College..but we were aliens, visiting from another planet and witnessing to Orthodoxy as best we knew how.

Since then I still don't know any Orthodox ecumenists. That there might be some wannabes in our JP, may be true - I haven't met them. Everyone I know from the top down, is fiercely Orthodox, but not intolerant and mean spirited towards our heretic brethen - yes brethen made in the image of God.

For those new to this forum, the opposite of "World orthodoxy" could be called "fringe Orthodoxy"..(seizes the fire extinguisher to quench the flaming to follow...).but that is to argue on the same level as those who condemn us.

Let us follow the Royal Path and trust in God's infinite mercy.

Yours in Christ,
Fr Serafim

[Anastasios]

I can vouch that I have met real, live Orthodox ecumenists, and they can be scary. But as Fr Seraphim says, so can fanatics.

Anastasios

[Justin Kissel]

I think there is a misunderstanding here. The term "world Orthodox" may be used as a derogatory term by some today, but it was not invented by traditionalists. I have OCA magazines from the mid-20th century which use the term, and they certainly are not using it a bad way. I believe there was also a book published around 1980 by Fr. Alexander Schmemann or some such author (ie. not a traditionalist) which used that term in the title. Even an article on the official GOA site uses the term, as do other groups (as can be seen by searching Google). Though I acknolwedge their utility, I've recently began to try and get past using labels and epithets--whether positive or negative. Yet, if one does use the term "world Orthodox," and that person happens to call themselves a traditionalist, I do not think it is fair to simply assume that they are using the term in a derogatory sense or a harsh and unChristian way.

[Sean]

It has been said that the greatest way to tell a lie is to tell most of the truth. True, but even if you tell all of the truth, you can use the truth to hurt or to heal. I am a Traditionalist Old Calendar Orthodox, and I lean more towards the very strict ecclesiology. Yet, one thing I've learned over the years is that these convictions cannot extend from a condescending attitude towards others, but must come from fear of God. It is very presumptuous to think that all of the Traditions that the Church has preserved and handed down to us aren't important to God, when our unbroken 2,000 year history gives us every indication that they are.

--Sean

[OrthodoxyOrDeath]

All my Orthodox life I have only once witnessed or heard of ecumenism and that was in UK many years ago.

Fr. Seraphim,

I do value your input and would not question your integrity, but this statement seems a bit incredible.You have only heard of some ecumenist act once in your entire life? Why just this past week alone Nektarios came back from the Marines where he said the OCA priest was communing a Monophysite and your church signed an agreement (like nations sign treaties) with the Protestants to recognize their "Mysteries" and therefore them as a real Church.

[Chrysostomos]

OOD,

Okay, you got my interest, and real quick....

You said: "and your church signed an agreement (like nations sign treaties) with the Protestants to recognize their "Mysteries" and therefore them as a real Church."

Do you have a link, article, anything that proves this?

I honestly would like to see this!

With humble bow,

Rd. Chrysostomos

P.S. I hope it isn't true - this signed agreement with the
Protestants.

http://www.emperorblog.blogspot.com