Can there be a joint Melkite-Orthodox parish?

OrthodoxyOrDeath · Post by **OrthodoxyOrDeath** » Wed 16 March 2005 4:39 pm

Stepanov,

I would urge you to read "Against False Union" too.

You want to know what to do, well, St. Cosmas said that in the last days one would have to travel three days and three nights to get to a true Church. It sure seems as though he were referring to these days. So when you reach the GOA church you mentioned, pick-up the pace and keep going right past it. And may the Lord have mercy on us all.

I don't know about anyone else, but I thank the Lord in heaven His church is only 40 miles from me, in that I was not choked to spiritual death in all my years in the GOA/OCA. But my journey to get there was not just about distance, it was much more about searching for the truth. And coming to realize everything I have found, the distance is nothing. I would move across the country or the world in a second to be in a true church.

If you are learning about Orthodoxy, don't listen to me or anyone - because the only people you can trust are the Holy Fathers. Read what they have to say and then you will learn who to trust.

Joseph · Post by **Joseph** » Wed 16 March 2005 4:53 pm

This may not be what everyone should do but it is what I do.

I have lay prayers alone in my home - compline, read vespers and orthos and Typica. Read lay vespers, orthros and typica for feast days. My spiritual father is 12 hrs away. The nearest parish for me is 5 hrs away. I go when I can.

Stepanov · Post by **Stepanov** » Thu 17 March 2005 12:21 pm

Thanks OOD and josephb.

I have read Against False Union in the past, but I will read it again. I want to read The Touchstone again, too.

Can either of you post a link to a directory of traditionalist Orthodox churches?

OrthodoxyOrDeath · Post by **OrthodoxyOrDeath** » Thu 17 March 2005 10:34 pm

Stepanov,

Where do you live (if you don't mind saying)?

http://www.thegreekorthodoxchurch.com/

The above link is to our synod in NY, it has a list of our churches in the US. There is not much in the states unfortunatley.

The ROAC has churches around the country, and there are some others if that doesn't do it.

Ephraem · Post by **Ephraem** » Fri 18 March 2005 5:28 am

Here is an interesting biography of Alexandre Kalomiros, author of the The Touchstone and Against False Union, by George Gabriel. It also chronicles his varied synodal migrations in his search for the true Church.

http://www.zephyr.gr/stjohn/ark24.htm
(The biography is after the article "Within You")

OrthodoxyOrDeath · Post by **OrthodoxyOrDeath** » Fri 18 March 2005 10:01 am

Here is an interesting biography of Alexandre Kalomiros, author of the The Touchstone and Against False Union, by George Gabriel. It also chronicles his varied synodal migrations in his search for the true Church.

Ephraem,

Maybe your veiled criticism shouldn't be so veiled? I don't know, we can all use some criticism I guess. But the writings in these two short books are generally accepted by real Orthodox Christians. Alexandre Kalomiros' reasons for isolating himself are fundementally different and arguable than that which is discussed in these books. In other words, you have a general acceptance of these books, which the Fathers of Mt Athos in the 1970's called "God inspired", whereas you don't have any such a thing with his personal misgivings towards an icon.

In addition, your veiled critism (at least thats the way I perceive it) is completley ad-hominum. If there is something wrong in these writings it would be much more credible for you to discuss this than the person who wrote it.

Stepanov · Post by **Stepanov** » Fri 18 March 2005 12:34 pm

OrthodoxyOrDeath wrote:
Stepanov,

Where do you live (if you don't mind saying)?

http://www.thegreekorthodoxchurch.com/

The above link is to our synod in NY, it has a list of our churches in the US. There is not much in the states unfortunatley.

The ROAC has churches around the country, and there are some others if that doesn't do it.

Right now I live in Stockton, California, but I will probably be leaving for the East Coast (or at least east of the Mississippi) this summer, God willing.